Simon's Guidebook

Simon
Simon's Guidebook

My Home Town

A selection of local businesses that would love to see you visit and keep our town centre thriving.
Ilfracombe is my home town and I love living here. I am lucky enough to own a successful commercial cleaning business that encompasses managing Harbour View and a number of other properties in the town. I have 2 small children who have a wonderful life here with everything that the town has to offer. It makes me very proud to be able to share my town with you when you come and stay in this beautiful part of the world. My guidebook is just a selection of what our town has to offer but should get you started on your holiday here with us.
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Ilfracombe
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Ilfracombe is my home town and I love living here. I am lucky enough to own a successful commercial cleaning business that encompasses managing Harbour View and a number of other properties in the town. I have 2 small children who have a wonderful life here with everything that the town has to offer. It makes me very proud to be able to share my town with you when you come and stay in this beautiful part of the world. My guidebook is just a selection of what our town has to offer but should get you started on your holiday here with us.
Juul at Home can be found at the top of Fore Street and is well worth a visit during your stay. Juul at Home is the destination for those who seek home gifts with personality, the artisan-lover, the homemaker and the creative. Offering a unique and diverse collection of eclectic homeware, ethical products, furniture, mid-century modern retro, clothing, vegan-friendly toiletries, jewellery and much more. We aim to inspire everyone to purchase items that are both beautiful and useful. Explore our carefully curated collection of gifts and essentials for the home, to find scented soy candles, beautiful mugs, unusual cushions and tableware that you won’t find anywhere else. Speak to Sara the owner and make sure you let her know we have guided you there.
JUUL at Home
44 Fore St
Juul at Home can be found at the top of Fore Street and is well worth a visit during your stay. Juul at Home is the destination for those who seek home gifts with personality, the artisan-lover, the homemaker and the creative. Offering a unique and diverse collection of eclectic homeware, ethical products, furniture, mid-century modern retro, clothing, vegan-friendly toiletries, jewellery and much more. We aim to inspire everyone to purchase items that are both beautiful and useful. Explore our carefully curated collection of gifts and essentials for the home, to find scented soy candles, beautiful mugs, unusual cushions and tableware that you won’t find anywhere else. Speak to Sara the owner and make sure you let her know we have guided you there.
Just because you are on holiday, it doesn't mean you have to stop your usual fitness routines! Positive Pilates offers group classes and 1-2-1 sessions for beginners to advanced, for women and men, in our studio in Ilfracombe ideal for Combe Martin, Berrynarbor, Watermouth, Sterridge and North Devon. Many holiday makers take advantage of the studio and its friendly welcoming atmosphere, you can book online in advance or pop in and book. The studio can be found at the junction of the High Street and Fore Street.
Positive Pilates
53 High St
Just because you are on holiday, it doesn't mean you have to stop your usual fitness routines! Positive Pilates offers group classes and 1-2-1 sessions for beginners to advanced, for women and men, in our studio in Ilfracombe ideal for Combe Martin, Berrynarbor, Watermouth, Sterridge and North Devon. Many holiday makers take advantage of the studio and its friendly welcoming atmosphere, you can book online in advance or pop in and book. The studio can be found at the junction of the High Street and Fore Street.
FortyThree is a co-operative space, where local artisan makers can display and sell their unique hand made products.  Opened in July 2017 and recently moved to a new premises, 37 Fore Street.  They have a fantastic variety of pieces, from art, jewellery, glass work, sewn goods, clothing, ceramics and more. Come and visit them in Ilfracombe, have a browse and you might find that special unique piece that you just have to take home with you. Highly recommended and some wonderful local crafty gifts.
Forty Three
37 Fore St
FortyThree is a co-operative space, where local artisan makers can display and sell their unique hand made products.  Opened in July 2017 and recently moved to a new premises, 37 Fore Street.  They have a fantastic variety of pieces, from art, jewellery, glass work, sewn goods, clothing, ceramics and more. Come and visit them in Ilfracombe, have a browse and you might find that special unique piece that you just have to take home with you. Highly recommended and some wonderful local crafty gifts.

Food Scene

A fabulous restaurant run by a warm and welcoming Italian family in the heart of Ilfracombe. Booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.
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Giovanni & Luca
Wilder Road
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A fabulous restaurant run by a warm and welcoming Italian family in the heart of Ilfracombe. Booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.
Fresh seafood straight from Ilfracombe's thriving harbour, you won't get any fresher seafood than this!
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S & P Fish Shop
1 The Cove
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Fresh seafood straight from Ilfracombe's thriving harbour, you won't get any fresher seafood than this!
A family run restaurant offering an authentic Tapas experience. Booking is advisable and dogs are allowed in the bar area.
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The Terrace Tapas and Wine Bar
62 Fore St
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A family run restaurant offering an authentic Tapas experience. Booking is advisable and dogs are allowed in the bar area.
The perfect pub and bar for those that enjoy a sea view with their pint. Order at the bar and then make your way to the rear of the pub, up the steps and take in the best view from any beer garden in the world!
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The Pier Brewery Tap & Grill
The Quay
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The perfect pub and bar for those that enjoy a sea view with their pint. Order at the bar and then make your way to the rear of the pub, up the steps and take in the best view from any beer garden in the world!
For a real treat, Lynbay offers locally sourced fish and chips, cooked fresh to order, for either eat in or takeaway. If you are taking away, mind those seagulls and remember not to feed them.
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Lynbay Fish & Chips Shop Restaurant & Takeaway
6 The Quay
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For a real treat, Lynbay offers locally sourced fish and chips, cooked fresh to order, for either eat in or takeaway. If you are taking away, mind those seagulls and remember not to feed them.
A nice selection of real ales and craft lagers as well as freshly cooked food on selected days. A 10 minute walk from Harbour View and definitely worth a visit on a balmy summer evening. You may need to book a table in the summer.
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The Thatched Inn
Hillsborough Road
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A nice selection of real ales and craft lagers as well as freshly cooked food on selected days. A 10 minute walk from Harbour View and definitely worth a visit on a balmy summer evening. You may need to book a table in the summer.
A popular pub with locals and tourists, a great choice of beers and very reasonably priced pub grub. 2 minute walk to Hele beach and next to a huge pay and display carpark. Wear the kids out on the beach, then tea and a pint in the pub, what could be better!
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The Hele Bay Pub
39 Beach Rd
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A popular pub with locals and tourists, a great choice of beers and very reasonably priced pub grub. 2 minute walk to Hele beach and next to a huge pay and display carpark. Wear the kids out on the beach, then tea and a pint in the pub, what could be better!
If you like fabulous food freshly cooked to order and big portions, then you simply must visit Johnny C's for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Tell John that Simon sent you.
Johnny C's Diner
17 High St
If you like fabulous food freshly cooked to order and big portions, then you simply must visit Johnny C's for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Tell John that Simon sent you.
For a wonderful fine dining experience it is well worth a visit to The Antidote. Booking is advisable well in advance though, this is a very popular venue.
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The Antidote restaurant & boutique accommodation
20 St James Pl
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For a wonderful fine dining experience it is well worth a visit to The Antidote. Booking is advisable well in advance though, this is a very popular venue.
A little gem of a restaurant and bar tucked away in the harbour area of Ilfracombe. Very popular with tourists and locals alike, with an a la carte menu, including seafood, steaks and a selection of vegetarian options. Advisable to book, although there are a number of walk in places available most days.
The Smugglers
The Quay
A little gem of a restaurant and bar tucked away in the harbour area of Ilfracombe. Very popular with tourists and locals alike, with an a la carte menu, including seafood, steaks and a selection of vegetarian options. Advisable to book, although there are a number of walk in places available most days.
Famous locally for their Sunday Roasts and extremely popular with locals. If you like your Roasts served using locally reared meats and cooked to perfection, you simply have to visit Comyn Farm. Booking essential, and well in advance. Enjoy!
Comyn Farm
Chambercombe Lane
Famous locally for their Sunday Roasts and extremely popular with locals. If you like your Roasts served using locally reared meats and cooked to perfection, you simply have to visit Comyn Farm. Booking essential, and well in advance. Enjoy!
A traditional Indian Restaurant that offers a wide selection of food with a very friendly atmosphere. Widely used by locals which is always a good sign.
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Tandoori Night
High Street
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A traditional Indian Restaurant that offers a wide selection of food with a very friendly atmosphere. Widely used by locals which is always a good sign.
If you live fish, you'll live Take Thyme. A fabulous choise for seafood and situated in the harbour area. Take Time to enjoy yourselves here!
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Take Thyme Fish Restaurant
1 Fore St
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If you live fish, you'll live Take Thyme. A fabulous choise for seafood and situated in the harbour area. Take Time to enjoy yourselves here!
Whether you are looking for a full English or a tasty takeaway, Adele's is the perfect choice. Set in the harbour you will thoroughly enjoy your visit to this popular local eatery.
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Adeles cafe
8 Broad St
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Whether you are looking for a full English or a tasty takeaway, Adele's is the perfect choice. Set in the harbour you will thoroughly enjoy your visit to this popular local eatery.
Fabulous food served in the heart of the picturesque working harbour. Gluten free and Vegan options available and the dirty fries are worth a trip to Devon for!
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Slice of Devon
3 The Quay
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Fabulous food served in the heart of the picturesque working harbour. Gluten free and Vegan options available and the dirty fries are worth a trip to Devon for!
“Whether you are interested in bread, game, fish, vegetarian food or different cuisines, our cookery courses are a great experience. Our approach is very informal and relaxed - you will learn a lot while you are with us, but you will also have a great experience. You will leave full of inspiration and with new skills to take​ back to your own kitchen. We offer a range of one-day and part-day sessions, covering subjects from Fish to Game to Vegetarian to Bread Making, all from our beautiful new premises in Ilfracombe, Devon”
Coastal Cooking
45 Fore Street
“Whether you are interested in bread, game, fish, vegetarian food or different cuisines, our cookery courses are a great experience. Our approach is very informal and relaxed - you will learn a lot while you are with us, but you will also have a great experience. You will leave full of inspiration and with new skills to take​ back to your own kitchen. We offer a range of one-day and part-day sessions, covering subjects from Fish to Game to Vegetarian to Bread Making, all from our beautiful new premises in Ilfracombe, Devon”
A fabulous family run restaurant in the high street. Superb food and a brilliant atmosphere makes a visit here a must do when you’re in town.
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Settantanove
79 High St
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A fabulous family run restaurant in the high street. Superb food and a brilliant atmosphere makes a visit here a must do when you’re in town.
A new addition to the town food scene, set in a picturesque location, overlooking the harbour, with a wide range of food and beverages, with a great view of Verity!
The Lime Kiln Cafe & Bar
A new addition to the town food scene, set in a picturesque location, overlooking the harbour, with a wide range of food and beverages, with a great view of Verity!
The depot is ideally, situated, just outside Ilfracombe with ample parking and welcomes families and children. The menu consist of tacos, burgers, pizzas, et cetera all cooked, fresh and very tasty.
Cook Island
The depot is ideally, situated, just outside Ilfracombe with ample parking and welcomes families and children. The menu consist of tacos, burgers, pizzas, et cetera all cooked, fresh and very tasty.
The hip is a popular foodie pub, used by locals and tourists throughout the year. There is a large beer garden to the front with an extensive menu of excellent pub grub.
Hip & Pistol
8 St James Pl
The hip is a popular foodie pub, used by locals and tourists throughout the year. There is a large beer garden to the front with an extensive menu of excellent pub grub.

Sightseeing

A trip back in time, fabulous views and an abundance of wildlife. Steeped in history and definitely worth a visit. You will need to book, there is a kiosk in the harbour. Sun tan lotion a must!
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Lundy
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A trip back in time, fabulous views and an abundance of wildlife. Steeped in history and definitely worth a visit. You will need to book, there is a kiosk in the harbour. Sun tan lotion a must!
Take a ride around the stunning North Devon coastline. Great fun for all ages and abilities, a must do trip and fun for everyone.
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Ilfracombe SeaSafari
11 The Quay
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Take a ride around the stunning North Devon coastline. Great fun for all ages and abilities, a must do trip and fun for everyone.
A fabulous trip around the local coastline, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Ilfracombe Coastal Cruises
3 The Quay
A fabulous trip around the local coastline, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Damien Hirst's often controversial statue in the heart of Ilfracombe Harbour. Whether you live it or gate it, she is there and deserves a visit.
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Verity
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Damien Hirst's often controversial statue in the heart of Ilfracombe Harbour. Whether you live it or gate it, she is there and deserves a visit.
A charming little museum close to Wildersmouth Beach and next to the Landmark Theatre. Lots to see and do and the kids will love the treasure hunt if it running on the day you visit.
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Ilfracombe Museum
Wilder Road
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A charming little museum close to Wildersmouth Beach and next to the Landmark Theatre. Lots to see and do and the kids will love the treasure hunt if it running on the day you visit.

Public Houses

For a real taste of local life, 'The Welly' is the real deal. Tucked away at the far end of the High Street from Harbour View and the Harbour area is the locals pub of choice. There are 2 bars to choose from, a pool table, huge rear patio area and child/dog friendly. Plenty of live sport and a pint of proper beer is only £2.30. If there is rugby on, it is worth noting that the local support is Exeter Chiefs.
The Wellington Arms Ilfracombe
66 High St
For a real taste of local life, 'The Welly' is the real deal. Tucked away at the far end of the High Street from Harbour View and the Harbour area is the locals pub of choice. There are 2 bars to choose from, a pool table, huge rear patio area and child/dog friendly. Plenty of live sport and a pint of proper beer is only £2.30. If there is rugby on, it is worth noting that the local support is Exeter Chiefs.
Situated in the heart of the harbour area, with stunning views, The Britannia is a great choice to enjoy a pint and some food whilst people watching in the bustling harbour. Very popular in the summer but you can usually squeeze in somewhere, enjoy!
The Royal Britannia Hotel Bar and Restaurant
Broad Street
Situated in the heart of the harbour area, with stunning views, The Britannia is a great choice to enjoy a pint and some food whilst people watching in the bustling harbour. Very popular in the summer but you can usually squeeze in somewhere, enjoy!
Ilfracombe's oldest pub, dating from 1360 is well worth a visit for its wide selection of real ales. Mind your head though!
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George & Dragon
Fore Street
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Ilfracombe's oldest pub, dating from 1360 is well worth a visit for its wide selection of real ales. Mind your head though!
A popular pub with tourists and locals alike. Situated in the popular Fore Street area very close to the harbour.
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The Great British Tea Shop
23 Saint James Place
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A popular pub with tourists and locals alike. Situated in the popular Fore Street area very close to the harbour.
A friendly and large pub with a good reputation locally for great beers and a friendly welcome. Set in the harbour area, the Sandpiper does get busy in the summer.
The Sandpiper Inn
The Quay
A friendly and large pub with a good reputation locally for great beers and a friendly welcome. Set in the harbour area, the Sandpiper does get busy in the summer.

Beaches

A taste of Victorian Ilfracombe, through the tunnels, down to the bathing beach. When the tide is out, you can enjoy a swim in the old Victorian lido with stunning views out to sea. A stoney beach, so it is advisable to take a deck or folding chair.
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Tunnels Beaches
Bath Place
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A taste of Victorian Ilfracombe, through the tunnels, down to the bathing beach. When the tide is out, you can enjoy a swim in the old Victorian lido with stunning views out to sea. A stoney beach, so it is advisable to take a deck or folding chair.
A small sandy beach in the heart of the town, fantastic for the kids to play on and dog friendly all year round. Situated right next to the lifeboat station and when the tide is out, you can walk across to Larkstone beach. Close to the ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops for those all important treats.
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Ilfracombe Harbour
10A The Quay
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A small sandy beach in the heart of the town, fantastic for the kids to play on and dog friendly all year round. Situated right next to the lifeboat station and when the tide is out, you can walk across to Larkstone beach. Close to the ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops for those all important treats.
Also known as the Stoney Beach. Dog friendly and a great place to collect sea glass as a memento of your holiday. Water quality not always great, so hand washing advised after a visit and not advisable to climb on the rocks in stormy weather. In the winter months or if we get a storm, a great place to watch huge waves crash in!
Wildersmouth Beach
Also known as the Stoney Beach. Dog friendly and a great place to collect sea glass as a memento of your holiday. Water quality not always great, so hand washing advised after a visit and not advisable to climb on the rocks in stormy weather. In the winter months or if we get a storm, a great place to watch huge waves crash in!
Larkstone beach is a dog friendly beach that is popular with local free swimmers when the tide is in. Plenty of rock pools when the tide has gone out and you can also walk across to the harbour at very low tides. The view from Larkstone is shown in the main photo section.
Larkstone Lane
Larkstone Lane
Larkstone beach is a dog friendly beach that is popular with local free swimmers when the tide is in. Plenty of rock pools when the tide has gone out and you can also walk across to the harbour at very low tides. The view from Larkstone is shown in the main photo section.
Another secluded dog friendly beach in Ilfracombe. The site of a shipwreck in 1796, you never know, you might find some of the ships gold if you look carefully.
Rapparee Cove
Another secluded dog friendly beach in Ilfracombe. The site of a shipwreck in 1796, you never know, you might find some of the ships gold if you look carefully.

Entertainment

A great coastal venue with some high profile entertainment to suit every taste. Check out the website to see what is on during your visit and book your tickets. Also home to the tourist information centre.
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The Landmark Theatre
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A great coastal venue with some high profile entertainment to suit every taste. Check out the website to see what is on during your visit and book your tickets. Also home to the tourist information centre.
The kids and almost certainly the adults will enjoy the park. Plenty of parking, located in Combe Martin you will find lots to see and do at the park and it is very educational too, a good fun day out.
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Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
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The kids and almost certainly the adults will enjoy the park. Plenty of parking, located in Combe Martin you will find lots to see and do at the park and it is very educational too, a good fun day out.
Only a small aquarium, but very knowledgeable and friendly staff make this a worthwhile short visit. Little kids especially with love getting up close and personal to the various sea creatures there.
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The Ilfracombe Aquarium
The Quay
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Only a small aquarium, but very knowledgeable and friendly staff make this a worthwhile short visit. Little kids especially with love getting up close and personal to the various sea creatures there.
A full days fun for all the family at the castle. Just outside ilfracombe with plenty of parking and so many things to see and so here.
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Wassermund Schloss
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A full days fun for all the family at the castle. Just outside ilfracombe with plenty of parking and so many things to see and so here.
The clue is in the name here, its golf and its definitely crazy, but let yourself go, you're on holiday, what could possibly go wrong!
Crazy Golf
The clue is in the name here, its golf and its definitely crazy, but let yourself go, you're on holiday, what could possibly go wrong!

Parking

http://www.ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk/council/parking-permits/ropery-car-park/
If your property doesn't have an allocated parking space, or you are bringing more cars that your property caters for, you will need to find somewhere central and safe to park. Ropery road is a large pay and display carpark that is a very cost effective option.
The Ropery Car Park
Ropery Road
If your property doesn't have an allocated parking space, or you are bringing more cars that your property caters for, you will need to find somewhere central and safe to park. Ropery road is a large pay and display carpark that is a very cost effective option.