Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe one stop guide, everything about Ilfracombe on one page
One Stop Guide to Ilfracombe Devon
A unique and unusual seaside resort on the North Coast of Devon, Ilfracombe is also the oldest holiday resort in this region. Built in amongst small hills and cliffs, surrounding a charming old fishing harbour, it is a delightful and picturesque place to visit. The beaches of Ilfracombe are composed of shingle, and are reached by tunnels through the rocks. The parish covers 4 miles of coastline from Hele Bay to Lee Bay, it has a population of around 11,000 and a history stretching back to the Iron Age, when a fortified settlement was built on Hillsborough Hill, which looks down on the present day harbour.
Quick Links to Ilfracombe Information
Ilfracombe History: Originally developing around an Iron Age hillfort on Hillsborough Hill, which dominates the present day harbour, Ilfracombe, gets its name from the Anglo-Saxon language (Alfreinscoma meaning “Valley of the Sons of Alfred”). Later listed in the Domesday Book, it subsequently became a significant port and fishing town, making the most of the natural harbour formed by coastal Torrs, providing it with a safe and sheltered position.
The so called St Nicholas Chapel which stands on Lantern Hill, beside the harbour, was constructed in 1361, and claims to be Britain’s oldest working lighthouse.
Over the centuries various fleets have disembarked from Ilfracombe harbour for varied purposes such as to subdue the Irish, invading the Scottish Western Isles, and supporting the siege of Calais.
The tunnels cut into rock to enable access to the beaches were fashioned by a group of Welsh miners during the 1820’s. The tunnels provided not just access by foot, but also allowed the passing of horse and carriage. Before this the beaches could only be reached by boat, or by climbing down the cliffs. The tunnels and beaches were subsequently used by Victorian holidaymakers, for swimming and taking the sea air, bathing was segregated, with men and women swimming separately. The tunnels still exist today, follow signs for “Tunnel Beaches”.
The first lifeboat station in Ilfracombe, opened in 1866, though the town had owned a lifeboat since 1828.
The railway arrived in Ilfracombe in 1874, connecting it to Barnstaple, this brought increasing numbers of visitors to the town and also resulted in an increase in the population. The railway line was unfortunately closed in 1970.
Ilfracombe Map |
Ilfracombe Map: On the right is a handy little map of Ilfracombe, showing road access to the town via the A399, the A361 and the B3230. Also on the map are Watermouth, Lincombe, Hele Bay, Two Potts, Higher Slade, Lower Slade, and Berrynarbor. For a very big Ilfracombe map, showing streets and areas, which you can print our for your visit, click here: LARGE ILFRACOMBE MAP.
Ilfracombe Co-Ordinates: 51.208° North - 4.120° West.
Ilfracombe Dialling Code: 01271
Ilfracombe Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SS516474
Ilfracombe Tourist Information Office:
Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre – Address: Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9BX. Telephone Number: 01271 863 001.
Holy Trinity Church – Address: Church Hill, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8EE. Telephone Number: 01271 863 467.
Emmanuel Church – Address: Wilder Road, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9AW. Telephone Number: 01271 862 175.
Our Lady Star Of The Sea R C Church – Address: Runnacleave Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8AQ. Telephone Number: 01271 863 563.
Ilfracombe Infants & Nursery School – Address: Marlborough Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8JL. Telephone Number: 01271 863 462.
Ilfracombe C Of E Junior School – Address: Princess Avenue, Ilfracombe EX34 9LW. Telephone Number: 01271 863 463.
Ilfracombe Arts College – Address: Worth Road, Ilfracombe EX34 9JB. Telephone Number: 01271 863 427.
Ilfracombe Museum – Address: Wilder Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9. Telephone Number: 01271 863 541.
Harcourt Hotel – Address: 49 Fore Street, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9DJ. Telephone Number: 01271 862 931.
Bath House Hotel – Address: Runnacleave Road, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 8AR. Telephone Number: 01271 866 859.
Dorchester Guest House – Address: 59 St Brannocks Road, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 8EQ. Telephone Number: 01271 865 472 (bed and breakfast, b&b).
- Ilfracombe Camping:
Hele Valley Holiday Park – Address: Hele Bay, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9RD. Telephone Number: 01271 862 460.
Ilfracome Sports & Leisure Activities:
- Ilfracombe Football:
Ilfracombe Town Football Club – Address: Marlborough Park, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8JB. Telephone Number: 01271 865 939.
- Ilfracombe Tennis:
Ilfracombe Tennis Club – Address: Bicclescombe Park Road, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 8EU. Telephone Number: 01271 867 079.
- Ilfracombe Badminton:
Ilfracombe Badminton Club – Address: Sports Hall, Ilfracombe Arts College, Worth Rd, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9JA. Telephone Number: 01271 867 079.
Ilfracombe Business Directory
- Ilfracombe Florist / Florists / Flowers:
Reynolds Florist – Address: 86 High Street, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9NH. Telephone Number: 01271 862 481 (florist, flowers).
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