Ilfracombe - town (seaside resort) and civil parish in Devon, England

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.

Get in

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 Barnstaple station 📍.

Get around

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.

See

• Ilfracombe Aquarium, The Quay, EX34 9EQ, 51.210837°, -4.113072°, +44 1271 864533. 2018-01-23
• Ilfracombe Museum, Wilder Rd, EX34 8AF, 51.210082°, -4.123585°, +44 1271 863541. M-Sa: 10AM-5PM, Su: Closed. 2018-01-23
• Chambercombe Manor, 51.2017°, -4.10167°, +44 1271 862624. M-F: 11AM-4PM, Sa: Closed, Su: noon-4PM. A white-painted Norman manor house, apparently haunted. 2018-01-23
• Verity, 51.209303°, -4.111585°. The new giant art installation by Damien Hirst, situated on the end of the pier. 2018-01-23
• St. Nicholas's Chapel, Lantern Hill, EX34 9EQ, 51.211135°, 4.113009°. Chapel with lighthouse lantern. 2016-10-22

Do

• Take a day-trip to Swansea or Penarth (near Cardiff) on a paddle steamer – summer only.
• Lundy Island, 51.166667°, -4.666667°. Take a trip to Lundy. See puffins and seals. 2018-01-23
• Take a walk up Hillsborough or Capstone for superb views.
• Walk the coast path to Lee and Woolacombe and beyond
• Landmark Theatre, 51.2104°, -4.12287°. 2018-01-23
• The Embassy Cinema, 134 High St, EX34 9EZ, 51.208544°, -4.122008°, +44 1271 862323. 2018-01-23

Buy

• Enjoy the High Street with its' wide range of independent shops

Eat

• Espresso. For great seafood and meat.
• Gazpacho. For authentic Spanish food and fabulous tapas.
• 10 The Quay. For good food surrounded by Damien Hirst artwork and sometimes a chance to spot him.
• Grassroots. For great vegetarian delights.
• The Deli. For coffee, brunch and lunch.
• Maddys. Fish and chips.
• Harbour deli. Olives, paninis and coffee.
• Joe Deluccis. Great ice cream.

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.

Drink

• The Admiral Collingwood, Wilder Rd, EX34 9AP, 51.210066°, -4.119179°, +44 1271 862373. Su-Th: 8AM-midnight, F-Sa: 8AM-1AM. Wetherspoon's pub. 2018-01-23

Sleep

• Ilfracombe Carlton, Runnacleave Road, EX34 8AR, +44 1271 862446, enquiries@ilfracombecarlton.co.uk. 2021-03-02
• Royal Britannia Hotel, Broad St, The Harbour, EX34 9EE, 51.21051°, -4.115769°, +44 1271 862939.

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.

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.