British island that inspired Agatha Christie and hosted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor is on the market for £15 million

From Mustique to Necker, the allure of an exclusive island retreat has long drawn socialites off-shore. Now, one wealthy buyer has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Lord Glenconner et al. and indulge in the ultimate luxury: an island all of their own.

Burgh Island, a windswept marvel off the coast of Devon, is on the market for £15 million. The 21-acre coastal retreat includes a pub, a beach house and its crowning centrepiece: the spectacular 25-bedroom Burgh Island Hotel. An Art Deco dream perched on the water’s edge, the hotel is considered one of the finest examples of working Art Deco architecture in Europe.

The Great and Good have flocked to the rugged landscape over the years. Nancy Cunard, Noël Coward, Josephine Baker and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor are all rumoured to have stayed in the hotel. A quick look at photos and it is easy to imagine the luminaries sipping on drinks in the restored Palm Court (complete with circular skylight) or swishing into the Grand Ballroom for a black tie soiree. However, no guest’s legacy is greater than that of Agatha Christie, whose novels And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun were both inspired by Burgh.

Indeed, Christie had a writer’s retreat built on the island that still remains intact today. It will be a draw for any budding authors hoping the views out towards the mainland will get their creative juices flowing. Elsewhere on the island, there is also the Mermaid Pool (a saltwater swimming pool), tennis court, spa and helipad – perfect for when the sea tractor from Bigbury-on-Sea won’t do.

Hotel tycoons will also be satisfied: in December 2022, the Council resolved to grant planning approval for an additional 12 guest bedrooms and suites and 13 staff bedrooms, meaning there is room for the business to grow.

A version of this article originally appeared on Tatler.