Hello and welcome back to all our lovely readers. We hope you are all keeping well. Have you had a chance to try out any of our member’s recipes? We have a delicious Hunters Chicken recipe to try from Bampfield Farm or for something sweet try our Devon Custard from East Hook Holiday Cottages. Today, we are delving into North Devon to discover Ilfracombe.
Background
Ilfracombe is a stunning seaside town that is located within the rugged coastline of North Devon. It is a popular location for holidays because of its pretty fishing harbour, victorian architecture and small-town charm. The little town is alive with pretty shops from boutiques to coffee shops and restaurants serving delicious local produce. If you take a stroll down to the harbour you will be delighted to discover Illfracombes very famous resident ‘Verity’ which is Damien Hirst’s statue that stands at 20.25 meters high.
Things To Do
You will not be short of activities and places to explore when you visit Ilfracombe. The first place we have to mention is of course the very unique Tunnels Beaches. One of the most history fuelled beaches the beach is accessed via 4 tunnels which were hand-carved in the 1820s. 2 of the tunnels were dedicated for men to walk through while the other 2 tunnels were for women to walk through. Now the beach is enjoyed by families and is rated the 3rd best beach for rock pooling in the UK by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Another fantastic beach to explore on the East side of the town is Hele Bay, a sand and shingle beach which is also great for exploring and rock pooling.
If you want to delve into the history of Ilfracombe, then head to Ilfracombe Museum. It is a fantastic family attraction that can be enjoyed whatever the weather. There are lots of different rooms within the museum, each of which is filled with treasure to be discovered.
Another fantastic location to explore that is steeped in history is Hele Corn Mill, a 16th-century watermill located just 300M from Hele Bay. As a family, you can take guided tours around the mill by the miller himself! The Hele Corn Mill also has a fantastic tearoom which is the perfect place to refuel after the tour.
If you are feeling brave, then visit Chambercombe Manor which is meant to be one of the UK’s most haunted houses! Located close to Ilfracombe in a secluded valley, the manor house dates back to the 11th Century.
Finally, for those wanting a bit of adventure then jump aboard a boat for a two hour trip to Lundy Island. Lundy Island is one of Devon’s beautiful treasures with outstanding views, wildlife and more.
Places to Eat
If you love food, then Ilfracombe is the place for you as it is alive with an array of delicious restaurants and cafes. The Antidote is a highly rated restaurant boasting delicious meals using locally sourced ingredients. If you fancy some Italian then believe it or not you will find it in Ilfracombe, Giovannis & Luca’s is a wonderful Italian restaurant that serves pizza, pasta and more.
For those of you who love seafood then you will not have to travel far to enjoy it. Being a harbour town most restaurants will serve delicious, locally sourced seafood. However, one particular restaurant specialising in it is the Espresso Seafood Bar and Grill, the Take Thyme Fish Restaurant and the S & P Fish shop and cafe, both of which serve locally sourced seafood cooked to perfection.
Finally, if you are looking for something a little more lowkey Ilfracombe offers some wonderful cafes and pubs. The House Manor Cafe is an excellent stop for a coffee and cake, along with St James Tearoom where you can sit down for a traditional English Tea. If you are looking for a good fry up then head to Adele’s Cafe which offers both a traditional Engish Fry up along with a Vegetarian breakfast and more. The Hele Bay Pub is a wonderful choice, especially for a Sunday Roast, the perfect end to a day exploring Ilfracombe.
Further Information
We hope you have enjoyed today’s blog and if you are thinking about visiting the lovely seaside town of Ilfracombe then be sure to take a look at our accommodation local to the area.