Ilfracombe Beach Cottages

Ilfracombe Beach Cottages and the North Devon Coast

Harbour, town centre and where to stay

Ilfracombe is built around its harbour and seafront, with the town rising quickly into the surrounding hills. Staying close to the harbour puts you near restaurants, boat trips, the aquarium, quayside walks and the main town facilities. Properties higher up can offer better views and a quieter setting, but they may involve steep walks, so location is worth checking before booking.

The town has a more varied feel than a simple beach resort. It has a working harbour, Victorian resort history, a theatre, galleries and local attractions, along with Damien Hirst’s 20-metre Verity sculpture on the pier. This gives Ilfracombe plenty to do even when the weather is not right for a full beach day.

Beaches, coves and swimming spots

Ilfracombe’s beaches are smaller and more tucked into the coastline than the wide sands at Woolacombe or Saunton. Tunnels Beaches is one of the town’s best-known coastal spots, reached through hand-carved tunnels originally opened in the Victorian period. It gives Ilfracombe a very specific beach setting, with rock pools, tidal swimming areas and a strong link to the town’s seaside history.

For larger beach days, Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde are all within reach along the North Devon coast. Combe Martin also sits to the east and offers a smaller coastal village setting with its own beach and access towards Exmoor. This makes Ilfracombe a practical base if you want a harbour town stay, but still want the option of bigger beaches nearby.

Coastal walks, boat trips and days out

Ilfracombe is well placed for walking, with the South West Coast Path running through the town and routes leading towards the Torrs, Lee Bay and the wider North Devon coastline. The Ilfracombe and the Torrs route is around 3.2 miles and includes steep sections, which reflects the shape of the local coast. These walks are a good reason to stay here if you want cliffs, views and proper coastal ground rather than only flat seafront paths.

Boat trips are another important part of Ilfracombe’s appeal. The harbour is used for local coastal trips, wildlife trips and sailings towards Lundy Island, with the MS Oldenburg running scheduled services from Ilfracombe or Bideford depending on tides and timetable. With Woolacombe, Combe Martin, Exmoor and the wider North Devon coast nearby, Ilfracombe works well for visitors who want a beach cottage stay with harbour access, walking routes and day trips built in.