Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is a small town on the North Devon coast in the west of England. It has a beautiful harbour and some wonderful examples of Victorian architecture. Ilfracombe has become a culinary centre for the area with several excellent seafood restaurants, a buzzing cafe culture and Damien Hirsts' 10 The Quay restaurant. Ilfracombe has a vibrant, up and coming feel to it and is perfectly placed for a great family holiday.

Understand

 * Visit Ilfracombe website

By road

 * Ilfracombe sits on the A361 road which is connected to the M5 Motorway near Tiverton. Ilfracombe is typically 2 hours drive from Bristol.

By coach

 * The town is served by National Express coaches, including direct services to Bristol and London (via Heathrow Airport).
 * Several holiday companies offer coach holidays in Ilfracombe.

By train

 * The nearest train station is situated in Barnstaple, at the end of the branch line from Exeter. Local bus services connect Ilfracombe to.

By bus

 * Local buses connect Ilfracombe to the surrounding seaside resorts, including neighbouring Woolacombe, a large sandy beach popular with surfers.
 * Frequent buses also connect Ilfracombe to nearby towns and villages, including Combe Martin, Braunton and Barnstaple: the largest town in the area.

Do

 * Take a day-trip to Swansea or Penarth (near Cardiff) on a paddle steamer – summer only.
 * Take a walk up Hillsborough or Capstone for superb views.
 * Walk the coast path to Lee and Woolacombe and beyond
 * Walk the coast path to Lee and Woolacombe and beyond

Buy

 * Enjoy the High Street with its wide range of independent shops

Eat

 * For pub grub go down Fore Street. At the end before reaching the harbour the George & Dragon as well as the Prince of Wales serve food.
 * Storm in a Teacup is a former rescue boat, turned into an offbeat cafe by Watermouth Harbour. It's open daily 9:30AM-5PM.
 * For pub grub go down Fore Street. At the end before reaching the harbour the George & Dragon as well as the Prince of Wales serve food.
 * Storm in a Teacup is a former rescue boat, turned into an offbeat cafe by Watermouth Harbour. It's open daily 9:30AM-5PM.
 * For pub grub go down Fore Street. At the end before reaching the harbour the George & Dragon as well as the Prince of Wales serve food.
 * Storm in a Teacup is a former rescue boat, turned into an offbeat cafe by Watermouth Harbour. It's open daily 9:30AM-5PM.
 * For pub grub go down Fore Street. At the end before reaching the harbour the George & Dragon as well as the Prince of Wales serve food.
 * Storm in a Teacup is a former rescue boat, turned into an offbeat cafe by Watermouth Harbour. It's open daily 9:30AM-5PM.
 * For pub grub go down Fore Street. At the end before reaching the harbour the George & Dragon as well as the Prince of Wales serve food.
 * Storm in a Teacup is a former rescue boat, turned into an offbeat cafe by Watermouth Harbour. It's open daily 9:30AM-5PM.

Sleep


A couple of B&Bs are located on St. Brannock's Road near the intersection with Bicclescombe Park Road. If you do not want to walk from here to the town centre, a bus stop is right at this intersection.

Connect
As of Sep 2023, Ilfracombe and its approach roads have 4G from EE, but next-to-no signal from other carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Passenger ferries to Lundy Island
 * Exmoor National Park lies 4 miles to the east by road from Ilfracombe
 * Dartmoor National Park is about 1 hour's drive to the south.