What to do whilst visiting Ilfracombe!
Food and drink
A few local places to eat and drink!
This is our 17th Century pub, the large beer garden has just been completely refurbished and its known for its quality food and fine ales. 15 minute walk from 2 The Villa, up past the harbour on the right hand side.
65 locals recommend
The Thatched Inn
Hillsborough RoadThis is our 17th Century pub, the large beer garden has just been completely refurbished and its known for its quality food and fine ales. 15 minute walk from 2 The Villa, up past the harbour on the right hand side.
If you love your Italian food, go here. They make you feel so very welcome and the food is delicious. They are great with kids also.
23 locals recommend
Giovanni & Luca
Wilder RoadIf you love your Italian food, go here. They make you feel so very welcome and the food is delicious. They are great with kids also.
Another favourite of mine! Incredible food that features in the Michelin Guide. Run by Paul and Sarah, they also do take away.
13 locals recommend
The Antidote restaurant & boutique accommodation
20 St James PlAnother favourite of mine! Incredible food that features in the Michelin Guide. Run by Paul and Sarah, they also do take away.
Beach
Only 10 mins drive from here. Park up at Marine Drive and check out the Port Hole cafe run by my friend Jim. Great teas, coffees and take out food perfectly positioned to enjoy the views!
177 locals recommend
Woolacombe Beach
Only 10 mins drive from here. Park up at Marine Drive and check out the Port Hole cafe run by my friend Jim. Great teas, coffees and take out food perfectly positioned to enjoy the views!
Another wonderful beach, get their early for parking. Incredible surfing beach, and great for walks.
26 locals recommend
Saunton Beach
Another wonderful beach, get their early for parking. Incredible surfing beach, and great for walks.
Another fab beach!!!! Great for surfers and swimming, parking is tricky enough, try going right to the end of the road at Croyde point and pull into the National Trust Car Park. There is a great cafe just next to the car park also.
83 locals recommend
Croyde Beach
Another fab beach!!!! Great for surfers and swimming, parking is tricky enough, try going right to the end of the road at Croyde point and pull into the National Trust Car Park. There is a great cafe just next to the car park also.
Quiet beach about a 5 min drive from here. Very safe, lots of rock pools and perfect for families.
7 locals recommend
Hele Beach
Quiet beach about a 5 min drive from here. Very safe, lots of rock pools and perfect for families.
Privately owned beach, used in Victorian times, that also is now the Number 1 beach wedding destination in the UK. The tunnels beach area is separate from the wedding venue, you pay a small fee on entry, but it's worth a visit. It has also recently featured in Robson Green's Costal Lives programme.
66 locals recommend
Tunnels Beaches
Bath PlacePrivately owned beach, used in Victorian times, that also is now the Number 1 beach wedding destination in the UK. The tunnels beach area is separate from the wedding venue, you pay a small fee on entry, but it's worth a visit. It has also recently featured in Robson Green's Costal Lives programme.
Sightseeing
Damien Hirst's world famous statue, found in Ilfracombe Harbour. 10 min walk from 2 The Villa.
67 locals recommend
Verity
Damien Hirst's world famous statue, found in Ilfracombe Harbour. 10 min walk from 2 The Villa.
Amazing walk, park at Mortehoe car park and walk along the road to Morte Point lighthouse, then walk back along the coast. Take a packed lunch, you will be gone for hours!
26 locals recommend
Morte Point
South West Coast PathAmazing walk, park at Mortehoe car park and walk along the road to Morte Point lighthouse, then walk back along the coast. Take a packed lunch, you will be gone for hours!
Visit the top of the Sleeping Elephant in the harbour. All you need to do is walk from 2 The Villa to the right of the harbour and just keep left up along the coastal path. Beautiful views, and you can even walk down to Hele Beach if you stay along the coast. About 20 min walk from 2 The Villa
Hillsborough
Visit the top of the Sleeping Elephant in the harbour. All you need to do is walk from 2 The Villa to the right of the harbour and just keep left up along the coastal path. Beautiful views, and you can even walk down to Hele Beach if you stay along the coast. About 20 min walk from 2 The Villa
Another beauty spot, incredible walks. Drive to Lynton and Lynmouth, park up and just walk around this beautiful area. Plenty of cafes around and some delicious ice cream!
115 locals recommend
Valley of Rocks
South West Coast PathAnother beauty spot, incredible walks. Drive to Lynton and Lynmouth, park up and just walk around this beautiful area. Plenty of cafes around and some delicious ice cream!
A place of outstanding beauty, only accessible via boat. No cars allowed on the island so you can catch a foot ferry from Ilfracombe Harbour, and stay all day or overnight. Bikes are available for hire on the Island. Amazing diving all round the Island.
72 locals recommend
Lundy
A place of outstanding beauty, only accessible via boat. No cars allowed on the island so you can catch a foot ferry from Ilfracombe Harbour, and stay all day or overnight. Bikes are available for hire on the Island. Amazing diving all round the Island.
Family entertainment
Quirky and fabulous. Loved by adults and kids and only 15 mins drive from here towards Combe Martin. On your way out of the park ask to to have your photo taken and every time you revisit you will get in for only 2.50 per person in the photo! You can visit here in sunshine or in light rain. Its great for keeping the kids entertained. There is a cafe on site.
65 locals recommend
Watermouth Castle
Quirky and fabulous. Loved by adults and kids and only 15 mins drive from here towards Combe Martin. On your way out of the park ask to to have your photo taken and every time you revisit you will get in for only 2.50 per person in the photo! You can visit here in sunshine or in light rain. Its great for keeping the kids entertained. There is a cafe on site.
Where the Dinosaurs come alive every 30 mins, and you can learn about the wonderful wild animals. This is a sanctuary and kids really love it, plenty of rides, animal education and crazy dinosaurs. A must!
94 locals recommend
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Where the Dinosaurs come alive every 30 mins, and you can learn about the wonderful wild animals. This is a sanctuary and kids really love it, plenty of rides, animal education and crazy dinosaurs. A must!
Sheep by name and sheep by nature! Such a great spot, just outside Bideford. Plenty of rides and lots to learn about local animals. Kids love it.
185 locals recommend
The Big Sheep.
Abbotsham RoadSheep by name and sheep by nature! Such a great spot, just outside Bideford. Plenty of rides and lots to learn about local animals. Kids love it.
Perfect for slightly older kids and young adults, get wet and have fun, lots to laugh about whilst trying to stay on the floats!
46 locals recommend
North Devon Wake Park
Perfect for slightly older kids and young adults, get wet and have fun, lots to laugh about whilst trying to stay on the floats!
There is so much to do here, for all weather entertainment. Its about a 45 min drive from Ilfracombe, and you will spend hours in here. Definitely a day out. If you are still ready for more, visit the Wake Park afterwards.
148 locals recommend
The Milky Way Adventure Park
There is so much to do here, for all weather entertainment. Its about a 45 min drive from Ilfracombe, and you will spend hours in here. Definitely a day out. If you are still ready for more, visit the Wake Park afterwards.
City/town information
Plenty of shops for retail therapy in Barnstaple High Street or in Green Lanes which is located in Barnstaple High Street.
7 locals recommend
Green Lanes
Green Lanes Shopping CentrePlenty of shops for retail therapy in Barnstaple High Street or in Green Lanes which is located in Barnstaple High Street.
There are sooooooo many shops here, plus sightseeing opportunities if you want to venture a little further.
Exeter
There are sooooooo many shops here, plus sightseeing opportunities if you want to venture a little further.