Richard’s Ilfracombe guidebook
Sightseeing
A network of hand carved tunnels leading to sheltered beaches and tidal Victorian bathing pool. Rated the UK's 3rd best rock pooling beach by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
66 locals recommend
Tunnels Beaches
Bath PlaceA network of hand carved tunnels leading to sheltered beaches and tidal Victorian bathing pool. Rated the UK's 3rd best rock pooling beach by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
offers an escape from the modern world and great walking, bird watching, diving, climbing and canoeing. Catch a ferry there from Ilfracombe harbour.
72 locals recommend
Lundy
offers an escape from the modern world and great walking, bird watching, diving, climbing and canoeing. Catch a ferry there from Ilfracombe harbour.
Exmoor National Park has Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, the tallest tree and highest cliffs in England. It's home to almost 250 species of bird, over 1000 different plants, wild Red Deer and Exmoor ponies, and over 4000 archaeological sites.
Lynmouth
Exmoor National Park has Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, the tallest tree and highest cliffs in England. It's home to almost 250 species of bird, over 1000 different plants, wild Red Deer and Exmoor ponies, and over 4000 archaeological sites.
Full of curiosities. Discover Ilfracombe’s rich history and see objects from around the world. The varied collections cover natural history and archaeology, art and photography, costume and domestic history.
22 locals recommend
Ilfracombe Museum
Wilder RoadFull of curiosities. Discover Ilfracombe’s rich history and see objects from around the world. The varied collections cover natural history and archaeology, art and photography, costume and domestic history.
The picturesque harbour and Damien Hirst's famous Verity statue are well worth a visit. You will find most of Ilfracombe's smaller non-chain shops nearby too.
95 locals recommend
Ilfracombe Harbour
10A The QuayThe picturesque harbour and Damien Hirst's famous Verity statue are well worth a visit. You will find most of Ilfracombe's smaller non-chain shops nearby too.
The UK's only fully water powered railway and bronze winner of Devon's Large Attraction of the Year 2018. Built in 1888, it remains the world's highest and steepest fully water powered railway and one of only three in the world. With 862 feet of steep track and an elevation of 500 feet, the railway provides a memorable experience. A family attraction for all ages and dogs are welcome too.
52 locals recommend
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (Top station)
Lee RoadThe UK's only fully water powered railway and bronze winner of Devon's Large Attraction of the Year 2018. Built in 1888, it remains the world's highest and steepest fully water powered railway and one of only three in the world. With 862 feet of steep track and an elevation of 500 feet, the railway provides a memorable experience. A family attraction for all ages and dogs are welcome too.
The closest beach to where you are staying, a one mile walk away. Beware, it is hilly on the way home!
Wildersmouth Beach
The closest beach to where you are staying, a one mile walk away. Beware, it is hilly on the way home!
Food scene
Thomas was born locally and won Ilfracombe's first Michelin star.
29 locals recommend
Thomas Carr @ The Olive Room
63 Fore StThomas was born locally and won Ilfracombe's first Michelin star.
The Thatched Inn
Hillsborough RoadA traditional thatched 17th Century family run pub with food.
Right in the heart of Ilfracombe, overlooking Wildersmouth Beach. They use the best local fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean theme.
Symphony of the Sea Hotel
4 The PromenadeRight in the heart of Ilfracombe, overlooking Wildersmouth Beach. They use the best local fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean theme.
The closest supermarket to my flat. 0.4 miles away, walking time around 8 minutes.
19 locals recommend
Tesco Superstore
Old Barnstaple RoadThe closest supermarket to my flat. 0.4 miles away, walking time around 8 minutes.
Has a Licensed bar and restaurant serving breakfast and evening meals. They use locally sourced produce as much as possible.
The Darnley Hotel
3 Belmont RdHas a Licensed bar and restaurant serving breakfast and evening meals. They use locally sourced produce as much as possible.
American themed food, with good options for the kids.
Note, this is in Berrynarbor- car/ taxi required once the buses finish for the day, otherwise around a 1 hour walk.
18 locals recommend
Sawmills Inn Watermouth
American themed food, with good options for the kids.
Note, this is in Berrynarbor- car/ taxi required once the buses finish for the day, otherwise around a 1 hour walk.
A lovely pub with garden and stunning scenery in the nearby village of Lee. It's a 15 minute drive from Ilfracombe or a 1 1/4 hour walk- Lee is on the South West Coast Path so it's well worth the walk (if you want to get a taxi home, book well in advance).
13 locals recommend
The Grampus
A lovely pub with garden and stunning scenery in the nearby village of Lee. It's a 15 minute drive from Ilfracombe or a 1 1/4 hour walk- Lee is on the South West Coast Path so it's well worth the walk (if you want to get a taxi home, book well in advance).
Great fish and chips, with eat-in, take-away and delivery options.
8 locals recommend
Maddys Chippy Ltd
25 St James PlGreat fish and chips, with eat-in, take-away and delivery options.
George & Dragon
Fore StreetIlfracombe's oldest pub, which also serves food.
Activities
An activity centre offering axe throwing, Quad biking, archery and a 4×4 Land Rover experience. Open whatever the weather- they say the wetter the better!
14 locals recommend
Keypitts Off Road Adventures
An activity centre offering axe throwing, Quad biking, archery and a 4×4 Land Rover experience. Open whatever the weather- they say the wetter the better!
Great for walking and has the longest continuous off-road cycle path in the UK.
63 locals recommend
Tarka Trail
Great for walking and has the longest continuous off-road cycle path in the UK.
The stunning South West coast path passes right through Ilfracombe. Great views and great walks.
6 locals recommend
southwest coast path
The stunning South West coast path passes right through Ilfracombe. Great views and great walks.
Featured in Golf World's Top 100 Courses in the WORLD. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest golf course in the country.
21 locals recommend
Royal North Devon Golf Club
Golf Links RoadFeatured in Golf World's Top 100 Courses in the WORLD. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest golf course in the country.
Check the "places to fish in Devon" section of their website. Also you can arrange a sea angling or diving trip with Obsession in Ilfracombe harbour.
North Devon Tackle
Check the "places to fish in Devon" section of their website. Also you can arrange a sea angling or diving trip with Obsession in Ilfracombe harbour.
Open to non-members. Rated one of the best cliff-top courses in England.
9 locals recommend
Ilfracombe Golf Club
A399Open to non-members. Rated one of the best cliff-top courses in England.
It has a 12 bay driving range and 18 hole Pitch and Putt course plus a Radio Controlled Car Track.
Ilfracombe and Woolacombe Golf Range
It has a 12 bay driving range and 18 hole Pitch and Putt course plus a Radio Controlled Car Track.
A zoo set in 28 acres of botanical gardens with a themed train ride, fossil museum and life-size animatronic dinosaurs.
94 locals recommend
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
A zoo set in 28 acres of botanical gardens with a themed train ride, fossil museum and life-size animatronic dinosaurs.
A great all-weather day out for ages 0 to 100+ and awarded the 2nd Best Amusement Park in the UK by TripAdvisor in 2019. It's home to Devon's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, birds of prey shows, laser target shooting and much more.
148 locals recommend
The Milky Way Adventure Park
A great all-weather day out for ages 0 to 100+ and awarded the 2nd Best Amusement Park in the UK by TripAdvisor in 2019. It's home to Devon's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, birds of prey shows, laser target shooting and much more.
Has something for all ages, including Battlefield Devon (like paint-balling but without the injuries), animals, rides and a brewery and gin distillery.
185 locals recommend
The Big Sheep.
Abbotsham RoadHas something for all ages, including Battlefield Devon (like paint-balling but without the injuries), animals, rides and a brewery and gin distillery.
There’s something for everyone from age 5 years. Experience mountain biking, high level assault course (based on BBC's Total Wipeout and rated one of the best activities in the UK by The Guardian), coasteering, stand up paddle-boarding, kayaking, mountain boarding, rifle shooting and surfing.
26 locals recommend
The Ultimate Adventure Centre
Abbotsham RoadThere’s something for everyone from age 5 years. Experience mountain biking, high level assault course (based on BBC's Total Wipeout and rated one of the best activities in the UK by The Guardian), coasteering, stand up paddle-boarding, kayaking, mountain boarding, rifle shooting and surfing.
It is one of the West Country's premier family attractions, built around Watermouth Castle which was built in 1825.
65 locals recommend
Watermouth Castle
It is one of the West Country's premier family attractions, built around Watermouth Castle which was built in 1825.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
All food venues.
Check opening times and ideally book before you go to any restaurant or cafe. Outside the summer season places may close earlier than you expect and during the summer Ilfracombe gets very busy with tourists.