ILFRACOMBE

Ilfracombe is an interesting place to stay, not least because it is a place of contrasts.  There is a picturesque harbour with colourful boats, offering fishing, bird watching & sight seeing trips.  There are some lovely bistros & restaurants, where you can while away an hour or two, whilst you indulge in a bit of cafe culture.

If you enjoy the theatre, check out what the Landmark has on offer during your stay.  The Tourist Information office is also at the Landmark, as is a cinema screen.  There is also a cinema in the High Street.

The coast path is superb, with beautiful walks right on the doorstep.  Exmoor National Park borders Combe Martin which is just 5 miles away.

Both Woolacombe & Croyde are favourites for surfers, families & couples, but nearer to home is the rather quaint Victorian Tunnels Beach at Ilfracombe. 

There is also a small museum near to the Landmark, which has some astounding artifacts from all over the world.  We spent an hour or two there recently & were amazed at the collection.

If you enjoy art, take a trip to Driftwood Gallery on the Quay.  Browsing could be expensive if you decide on an original painting, however they do have a range of limited edition prints, as well as smaller items such as Emma Ball mugs & cards.

Please be aware that there is some building work going on in this old Victorian town, both with the conversion of old hotels to apartments, new builds and renovations.  Over the road from Ashmour there is the McCarthy & Stone development of retirement homes. This will eventually partially obscure our view of the harbour, but currently it does not do so.  Work on this site was halted due to the current financial climate, and the site has been mothballed.  This means that we get to keep our wonderful views of the inner harbour as well as the sea, for even longer!

WALKING IN THE AREA

There is a wealth of lovely walking in the area which will delight those who enjoy short walks as well as offering longer walks for the really energetic.  The coast path enables you to walk as far as you feel like walking, turn around and return, viewing the scenery from both directions. 

For those with some energy, longer walks along the coastal path are an absolute treat.  One of our favourite walks is from the Torrs, along the coast path via Lee to Mortehoe. 

Bull Point & Morte Point are also lovely walks to do from Mortehoe, offering outstanding scenery, a few ups & downs, and views of Lundy.  Both of these walks give the added option of a pub lunch or a cream tea, fuelling you in readiness for the return journey!

For an evening stroll Hillsborough Iron Age hill fort is easy to do, and gives wonderful vista in both directions; the stretch of coast towards Combe Martin is outstanding, or looking the other way, you can watch the sunset over Ilfracombe harbour.  Hillsborough can be easily seen from our lounge windows. 

The local bus service is excellent, & can enable you to do longer walks that are not of a circular nature.  During the summer of 2009, we caught the bus to Woolacombe & walked all the way back to Ilfracombe along the coast path.  This was a beautiful walk & one that we will do again at least once every year.

EXMOOR is nearby, & well worth a visit.  There are so many places of interest within this area  that you could spend a whole week exploring them!  Simonsbath, Watersmeet, Withypool & Tarr Steps are a worthy day out.  So to is Malmsmead (known also as Lorna Doone Country), and Badgworthy Water. 

Nearer to Ilfracombe is Heddon's Mouth, which is also a delight for walkers.  You can park at Hunters Inn & walk through to Heddon's Mouth (only 1 mile each way), where the river meets the sea.  From here you can extend the walk, climbing upwards on the coast path towards Woody Bay in one direction, or in the other direction up & around to Peter Rock & on to Trentishoe, making your way back via Ladies Mile.

The walk from Hunters Inn to Trentishoe via Peter Rock is spectacular & classed as one of the best in the country.  Full details of this walk & many others in the vicinity are provided at the apartment, as are some locally produced maps, OS maps & some walking books, as well as some laminated walking routes from when Ashmour was a Youth Hostel.

Early in March 2009, we walked the upper coast path to Woody Bay from Hunters Inn, returning through the lanes via Martinhoe.  Following this we enjoyed a very good Sunday roast at The Hunters Inn.  They have a varied & interesting menu as well as the usual range of pub food.  If you are doing a walk in this area, stopping here for refreshment would provide a welcome rest from the hills!

At the start of May 2009 we did a variation of this walk, taking the upper coast path again from Hunters Inn to Woody Bay, and then returning via the lower coastal path.  The difference between the 2 paths was very noticeable, which surprised us.  Both were lovely, but there were more wild flowers on the lower path, with outstanding sea views from both.  From the lower path we also saw lots of Oystercatchers in the sea.  There is spectacular waterfall on the lower path, (photo 30 in the photo gallery) and a few nice spots for a picnic.  Don't forget to take both your binoculars & a camera with you when walking in this area.  

BOAT TRIPS
There are plenty of boat trips available from Ilfracombe harbour, which is just a short walk from the apartment.  These can all be easily arranged on the pier.

If you want to go to Lundy it is advisable to call into the Lundy Island Office on the pier to book in advance.  Lundy Island cruises are onboard the MS Oldenburg, which sails from both Bideford & Ilfracombe.  There is a 24 hr service for up-to-date sailing information, as sailings can be affected by bad weather or sea conditions - Tel. 01271 863636 or visit their website. 

Lundy is 3 miles long & half a mile wide.  It lies 10 miles off of the North Devon coast & is a haven for wildlife, birds & sea life.  During the Winter months you can visit via helicopter trip from Hartland.

• Lundy Island

• Wildlife & Coastal cruise
  

• The West cruise - the seal cruise
  

• The East cruise - Exmoor Nesting Bird cruise
  

• Evening River cruise                         

• Deep sea fishing

You can also charter a variety of boats at the harbour.

HORSE RIDING
Horse riding is readily available throughout Exmoor, as well as at the coast.  Details of the various stables are available at the apartment, and bookings can be made by phone or through the Tourist Information Office at the Landmark Theatre.

CYCLING
The Tarka Trail offers miles of traffic-free cycling in North Devon, much of it being alongside the tidal estuaries.  Bike hire is readily available at Braunton, just 20 yards from the Tarka Trail.

GOLF CLUBS
For those who play golf there are numerous courses in the area as well as some further afield. 

• Ilfracombe Golf Club (Par 69) - Hele Bay - 1 mile - Tel. 01271 862176
  

• Willingcott Valley Golf Course (Par 71) - Woolacombe - 6 miles - Tel. 01271 870173

• Barum (Par 70) & Landkey (Par 54) courses - both part of the Portmore Golf Park, Barnstaple - 8 miles - Tel. 01271 378378
  

• Saunton Golf Club  (Par 71) - near Braunton - 11 miles - Tel. 01271 812436

• Highbullen Golf Club - (Par 68) Chittlehamholt - 17 miles - Tel. 01769 540561

• Libbaton Golf Club - (Par 73) - High Bickington - 22 miles - Tel. 01769 560269
  

• Royal North Devon Golf Club - (Par 72) - Westward Ho! - 22 miles - Tel. 01237 473817
  

• Great Torrington Golf Club - (Par 64) - 27 miles - Tel. 01805 622229
  

• Hartland Forest Golf Club  - (Par 71) - 36 miles - Tel. 01237 431442

• Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club - (Par 71) - Bude - 32 miles - Tel. 01288 352006
  

I have added in a link which allows you to book time slots at some of these golf courses. The Royal North Devon golf club has its own website, and is used for the West of England Championship.  It is the oldest golf club in the country, having been founded in 1864.

Fuller details of all of these golf clubs, including postcodes, are provided at the apartment.