DECADENT DEVON

If you adore Art Deco interiors, you’ll love

Burgh Island Hotel. Situated on a ten-acre tidal island in south Devon, this beautiful bolthole provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The island was a favourite stomping ground of playwright Noël Coward (below) and crime novelist Agatha Christie.

Enter another world of white grand pianos and cloche hats – everywhere you look you’ll see the best of the Art Deco period. Surrounded by golden beaches and silver seas it’s the perfect spot for a coastal walk or a day on the beach. It also boasts its own swimming pool and sauna, as well as a natural saltwater swimming hole, known as Mermaid Lagoon.

Twice a week, guests dress up for a black-tie ballroom dinner and dance with live music performed by a pianist and the house band. But if you’re eager for more entertainment, you can also book one of a number of murder mystery parties that take place throughout the year. Non-residents can cross the causeway at low tide on foot to explore the island and visit one of the UK’s oldest pubs, The Pilchard Inn.

■ It’s not cheap, but a stay or dinner at Burgh Island Hotel is a wonderful treat for a really special occasion (only hotel guests and diners are allowed in the grounds). Call 01548 810514 or visit www. burghisland.com to find out more