# 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

## 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 51.074-4.0631 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

* 51.210837-4.1130721 Ilfracombe Aquarium, The Quay, EX34 9EQ, ☏ +44 1271 864533. (updated Jan 2018)
* 51.210082-4.1235852 Ilfracombe Museum, Wilder Rd, EX34 8AF, ☏ +44 1271 863541. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su closed. (updated Jan 2018)
* 51.2017-4.101673 Chambercombe Manor, ☏ +44 1271 862624. M-F 11AM-4PM, Sa closed, Su noon-4PM. A white-painted Norman manor house, apparently haunted. (updated Jan 2018)
* 51.209303-4.1115854 Verity. The giant art installation by Damien Hirst on the end of the pier. (updated Jan 2018)
* 51.2111354.1130095 St. Nicholas's Chapel, Lantern Hill, EX34 9EQ. Chapel with lighthouse lantern. (updated Oct 2016)

## Do

* Take a day-trip to Swansea or Penarth (near Cardiff) on a paddle steamer – summer only.
* 51.166667-4.6666671 Lundy Island. Take a trip to Lundy. See puffins and seals. (updated Jan 2018)
* Take a walk up Hillsborough or Capstone for superb views.
* Walk the coast path to Lee and Woolacombe and beyond
* 51.2104-4.122872 Landmark Theatre. (updated Jan 2018)
* 51.208544-4.1220083 The Embassy Cinema, 134 High St, EX34 9EZ, ☏ +44 1271 862323. (updated Jan 2018)

## Buy

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

## Eat

* Espresso. For great seafood and meat.
* Slice of Devon. For great pizza and seafood. Includes good vegetarian options.
* 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.
* Storm in a Teacup is a former rescue boat, turned into an offbeat cafe by Watermouth Harbour. It's open daily 9:30AM-5PM.

## Drink

* 51.210066-4.1191791 The Admiral Collingwood, Wilder Rd, EX34 9AP, ☏ +44 1271 862373. Su-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-1AM. Wetherspoon's pub. (updated Jan 2018)

## Sleep

* Ilfracombe Carlton, Runnacleave Road, EX34 8AR, ☏ +44 1271 862446, enquiries@ilfracombecarlton.co.uk. (updated Mar 2021)
* 51.21051-4.1157691 Royal Britannia Hotel, Broad St, The Harbour, EX34 9EE, ☏ +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.

## 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.