Archaeological discovery of tin ingots at the River Erme estuary wreck[1] show that the local area was a significant tin trading port in ancient times; it is unclear whether the ingots date from the Iron Age or Sub-Roman periods, however this discovery so close to Burgh Island has drawn comparisons with Diodorus Siculus's 1st century BCE text, more often associated with St Michael's Mount in Cornwall: At this time we shall treat of the tin which is dug from the ground.

Those who dwell near Belerium, one of the headlands of Britain, are especially fond of strangers, and on account of their trade with the merchants they have a more civilised manner of living.

And after a journey of thirty days on foot through Gaul, they convey their packs carried by horses to the mouths of the Rhone River.

The ancient Pilchard Inn's history dates to 1336 and may have started life as the guest lodgings for the monastery.

[6] A small, possibly transient, population of fishermen occupied the island following the dissolution of the monastery, specialising in pilchard fishing.

[9] Fear that German landing forces might use the island as a beachhead during World War II resulted in the area's fortification with anti-tank defences and two pillboxes, positioned on both sides of the causeway.

[17] The hotel, with its Art Deco styling, was also a bolt hole in the 1930s for some of London's rich and famous, including Noël Coward.

The climactic scene of the 1965 British film Catch Us If You Can (featuring The Dave Clark Five) takes place at the island.

[20] The vehicle drives across the beach with its wheels underwater on the sandy bottom while its driver and passengers sit on a platform high above.