A small island that inspired several of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries has been withdrawn from the market after failing to sell for a whopping £15 million.
The 21-acre private Burgh Island, off the coast of south Devon, was used as a retreat by ‘The Queen Of Crime’ in the 1930s and served as the setting for ‘And Then There Were None’.
It also sparked the idea for the Hercule Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun. The island, which includes a 25-room hotel, pub, and beach house, was listed for sale, complete with a writer’s retreat – Christie’s beach house – perched on the edge of a cliff.
READ MORE: Mum admits to £226 Wagamama ‘dine and dash’ after ‘finding hair in meal’
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
(Image: SWNS)
Despite receiving ‘attractive offers’, one of which almost led to a completed purchase, the owner decided to halt the sale. Giles Fuchs told the BBC that the refurbishment of the hotel would now be fast-tracked thanks to a £5.4m refinancing and additional funding package.
Expressing his delight at remaining the owner of Burgh Island, Mr Fuchs revealed that the potential buyer backed out at the last minute. He sees this as a “benefit”, as his sister Niki has stepped down from her role at their London business and will have more time to manage the hotel with him.
The refinancing package, according to Mr Fuchs, will “accelerate the improvements” and help ensure the island is “continue the journey to make it fit for the next 100 years”.
(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The iconic Burgh Island Hotel, a favourite haunt of the rich and famous, is up for sale. The Grade II listed white art deco hotel, built in 1929, has played host to an array of illustrious guests including President Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and even The Beatles.
Estate agents Knight Frank describe it as “one of the finest examples of working Art Deco architecture in Europe”. The property boasts a restored circular glass skylight in the palm court, a billiards room, sauna, spa, several restaurants, a tennis court, helipad and a seawater mermaid pool.
Despite being only 250 metres from the mainland, the island offers a unique private setting with its own micro-environment and clean sandy tidal beach.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.