Pictures of Ilfracombe

in the county of Devon

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About Ilfracombe

It was the exciting early days of rail travel that brought popularity and prosperity to Ilfracome. The opening up of rail lines up and down the country, enticed all levels of society to pack a suitcase, catch a train, to explore for themselves the delights of fresh towns, countryside and coast. This new breed of tourist, packed the trains and headed off to places they had never heard of, and without the new trains, could not have hoped to visit. Thus, Ilfracome, one of Devon's larger resorts, owes much to the Victorian Era. The gracious 19th-century properties in the town were all built during the 'boom' the town experienced at this time.

Ilfracombe, is as much a joy today as it was then. It benefits from its spectacular position on a splendid stretch of coastline. Here, you have it all; magnificent cliffs rising to great heights above a sea that glistens copper in the sun, a natural harbour bright with gaily coloured fishing craft and beautiful yatches, all jostling for a safe mooring for the night. Above the harbour is Lantern Hill and the Chapel of St.Nicholas. For hundreds of years a light has beamed from this chapel guiding those in peril to the safety of the harbour. The sea here is subject to the Bristol Channel's turbulent tides - heavy swells make this stretch unsuitable for certain type's of vessel.

All along the seafront the magnificent cliffs break-up, and low tide reveals shale-sand beaches and rock pools to which children flock with bucket and spade hoping to catch a crab or two! The town offers many pleasant walks but beware, the nature of the land is not for the feint hearted. The Torrs walk climbs over 400ft and once at the summit, the walker is rewarded with outstanding views. Capstone Hill rises above the promenade and is more suited to those wishing only for a gentle stroll.

If your particular interest is ancient buildings the the Manor of Chambercombe is a must. It is but a mile from the town and dates the period following the Norman conquest. The interior houses a fine collection of Tudor and Jacobean furniture, Armour from the Civil War, a 15th-century private chapel and many other treasures. The area has Churches and other buildings of architectual interest.

Ilfracombe, with its beautiful public gardens, delightful harbour and shingly beaches is backed by the fabled exmoor countryside of rolling hills, deep green valleys snaked with sparking river streams, woodland and wild moorland alive with flora and fauna - it is a breathtaking setting that provides endless pleasurable hours for any visitor.

Seaside attractions include; fishing trips and pleasure trips to Lundy Island, a Victorian tidal bathing pool, there is a Water Mill at Hele Bay and at nearby Combe Martin there is a Wildlife Park.
Ilfracombe information provided by Terri Walton

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Ilfracombe

Watermouth Castle	(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Once Upon a Time, Woolacombe	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
Arlington Court	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Crow Point Lighthouse	(10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Northam Burrows Country Park	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Valley of Rocks	(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction E)	Pictures
Glen Lyn Gorge	(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Watersmeet House	(14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction E)	Pictures
Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse	(14.8 miles, 23.8 km, direction E)	Pictures
RHS Garden Rosemoor	(18.2 miles, 29.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly	(19.1 miles, 30.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Exmoor National Park	(21.0 miles, 33.8 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Ilfracombe
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Recommended towns near Ilfracombe

Combe Martin, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Croyde, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction SW)
Croyde village has a scattering of thatched, colourwashed cottages and other delightful buildings, all sheltered by dunes which stand between the village and the bay.
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Instow, in the county of Devon (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)
Instow is a gorgeous seaside resort with a mass of golden sands backed by a delightful village clambering upwards to meet with fine wooded countryside.
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Appledore, in the county of Devon (10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction S)
Appledore is as enchanting as its name. It is a pretty place that shows a host of colourful fishermens cottages in the narrow streets beyond the quay
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High Bickington, in the county of Devon (17.2 miles, 27.7 km, direction S)
High Bickington lies in one of England's most beautiful and relaxing regions, it is a short distance from the meandering River Taw and is ideally set close to both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
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Oare, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (17.7 miles, 28.6 km, direction E)
Thus, it was unsurprising to learn that this was the setting for R.D.Blackmore's famous novel, Lorna Doone.
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Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (18.3 miles, 29.4 km, direction SE)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
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Clovelly, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (18.6 miles, 29.9 km, direction SW)
Clovelly is beautiful, it retains an 'Olde Worlde' charm that even along this breathtaking coastline, is simply incomparable.
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Culbone, in the county of Somerset (20.4 miles, 32.9 km, direction E)
A small hamlet that is not accessible by car. St Culbone's Church is the smallest parish church in England.
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Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (21.2 miles, 34.1 km, direction SE)
This charming tiny village is set in lovely rural mid-Devonshire countryside within a short distance from the meandering River Mole in the beautiful Mole Valley, and the picturesque Crooked Oak stream.
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Hartland, in the county of Devon (21.4 miles, 34.5 km, direction SW)
There is not a lot to beat the sound of waves crashing against the rocky promontory which was known by the Roman's as the "Promontory of Hercules".
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Withypool, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (21.8 miles, 35.1 km, direction E)
R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar of the Royal Oak in Withypool and the famous artist Alfred Munnings had a...
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Hartland Quay, in the county of Devon (23.0 miles, 37.0 km, direction SW)
The beauty of Hartland Quay is only eclipsed by the rugged cliffs which loom above it.
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All towns in Devon
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Nearby travel help

Barnstaple Station	(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction S)
Chapleton Station	(13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction S)
M4 Junction 37	(28.4 miles, 45.7 km, direction NE)
M4 Junction 38	(29.6 miles, 47.6 km, direction NE)
Cardiff International Airport	(36.1 miles, 58.1 km, direction E)
Exeter Airport	(44.8 miles, 72.0 km, direction SE)
Ilfracombe to London	(174.3 miles, 280.5 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Ilfracombe

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Ilfracombe center
Royal Hotel	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SW)
Narracott Hotel	(4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction SW)
Saunton Sands Hotel	(7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction SW)
Barnstaple Hotel	(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction S)
Royal & Fortescue Hotel	(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction S)
The Imperial Hotel	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction S)
Park Hotel	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction S)
Travelodge Barnstaple	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction S)
Durrant House Hotel	(12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction S)
Royal Hotel	(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction S)
All hotels in Ilfracombe