Ilfracombe is the largest town on the North Devon coast. It boasts golden Blue Flag beaches, beautiful countryside and panoramic coastal views, and lies close to Exmoor.
There is a wide range of things to do and see. Ilfracombe is the most visited town on the North Devon coast and has plenty of shops, restaurants and facilities. There are many secluded coves and sandy beaches nearby. Trips to Lundy Island on the M.S. Oldenburg leave regularly from Ilfracombe.
The new Landmark Theatre & Pavilion and harbour development has complemented the town’s existing attractions and, in the case of the harbour, increased the number of visiting yachts and pleasure craft. As with most towns and villages along this coastline, fishing still remains part of daily life for some. The world’s only remaining ocean-going steamship, The Waverley, also runs trips in and out of Ilfracombe.
Ilfracombe has existed since the Bronze Age. Its name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon “Alfrincombe”, meaning the wooded valley of Alfred (after King Alfred). This is confirmed in the Domesday Book. Like many coastal settlements in this region, Ilfracombe also has a history of smuggling and profiting from shipwrecks.
Ilfracombe is unique and retains a village feel despite being quite a large town.
For more photos of Ilfracombe click here.
You can also view these photos on YouTube.
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