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 artefacts 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.
Ilfracombe is within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is also part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - the first in the UK.
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!
STOP PRESS - Article quoted from DEVONLIFE magazine - August 2008 - page no 82
Hillsborough
At
over 400ft (122m) high, this natural feature guarding the entrance to
Ilfracombe Harbour was host to early human inhabitants, evidenced by
the Iron Age earthworks.
The
area, comprising a mix of coastal grasslands and woodland, was saved
from the builders in 1895 when the Ilfracombe Urban District Council
had the foresight to buy it for quiet informal recreation, one of the
earliest examples of landscape conservation.
www.devonlife.co.uk
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.
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.
- The West cruise - the seal cruise
- The East cruise - Exmoor Nesting Bird cruise
- Evening River cruise
- Deep sea fishing
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.