Ilfracombe hotels and self catering cottage accommodation in Ilfracombe - Devon-Stay Ilfracombe Tourist Information

Devon » Ilfracombe accommodation

Once an elegant Victorian town, booming with the arrival of the railway, Ilfracombe is now the main holiday resort in North Devon, with its lovely natural harbour and location amongst the rocky Atlantic coast cliffs. As a celebration of its history, Ilfracombe holds a Victorian festival during June, in which the local residents dress up in traditional clothing and a grand costume ball, various street fairs and pageants are organized.

Recurringly winning Britain in Bloom, Ilfracombe’s cheerful displays brighten up its streets and seafront, where you’ll find numerous cafés, shops and restaurants. Its newest entertainment complex, the Landmark Theatre, overlooks the coast and offers events throughout the whole year, while the Ilfracombe Museum features a spectacular collection of antiques and photographs.

Overlooking the town’s wharf is Hillsborough hill. Its summit, 450 feet high, is site to a fort dating back to the Iron Age. Alongside the pier is Lantern Hill, where Ilfracombe’s oldest building, St Nicholas' Chapel, still stands, after being used as a lighthouse in the 16th century and for many other functions from there on, up until the 1960s, when it was fully restored.
Chambercombe Manor, not far from town, consists of a number of 16th-17th century buildings gathered around a courtyard, and is worth a look.

If you love nature, Ilfracombe is an excellent choice for you. Its harbour lies amidst cliffs and coves, and there are both fishing and pleasure boats for hire, which travel as far as Lundy Island. Beginning at the west side, the Torrs Walk is among the best in England, as it lets you walk by the cliffs through National Trust owned land. Tunnels Beaches, nearby, offer isolated swimming and boating areas which you can access through subterranean tunnels going through the cliffs.