Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is a charming little resort which lies deep in the shelter of the surrounding hills. It is noted for it's harbour, it's
picturesque site, parks and gardens, with prize winning floral displays. For variety of scenery, magnificent cliffs, seascapes,
fine coastal walks, secluded beaches and sheltered coves where surf rolls onto clean uncrowded sands, it has few rivals.
Ilfracombe has all the facilities one would expect such as a range of interesting shops (many individually owned) teashops and restaurants, an excellent indoor swimming pool, a cinema, a fascinating museum, an aquarium and art galleries. The Landmark Theatre and Winter Gardens provide regular plays, concerts and shows.
It is documented that Ilfracombe has the mildest climate of any resort in the United Kingdom, making Coastal Fringes Guest House an ideal choice for a Winter Break.
It has been said that a holiday spent in Ilfracombe is never complete without a boat trip. Indeed, as the late Sir Herbert Russell once very wisely said, "You may know Illfracombe itself intimately from within, but until you have made a slow moving panorama of this stretch of coast by sea, you can never realise the full beauty of Illfracombe." There are a wide range of boat trips available from the harbour, including one to the nature sanctuary of Lundy Island. The 'Waverley', the last seagoing paddle-steamer in the world and equally historical 'Balmoral', visit Illfracombe each year, offering scenic excursions.
Many sports and pastimes are available here, including horse riding, pony trekking, golf, tennis, bowls,
water sports, sea fishing and bird watching. In the
area there are many National Trust and other historic
houses to be visited, including Illfracombe's own
haunted manor house, 'Chambercombe Manor'.
Craft and antique shops are not hard to find.
Illfracombe is noted for it's unspoilt Victorian architecture and every year in early June, this heritage is celebrated by a Victorian Week. People dress up in Victorian Costumes and pursue pastimes and activities popular at the time.
David and Marianna are always happy to supply information and advice about events, (including Victorian Week) places of interest, entertainment and a host of delightful walks and bus, train and motoring excursions. They have also suggestions for themed itineraries such as gardens, history, railways, Lorna Doone and historic churches and houses. With our lifelong love and knowledge of the area, we are happy to help you to get the most of your holiday in our beautiful corner of the world.
From the majestic Torrs Walk, the delicious little ravine 'Rapparee' Cove, the rocky wilderness of the Forty Steps; the great flanking bastions of Capstone and Hillsborough, the sweet vignettes of Chambercombe Woods, the Slade Valley rolling rainbow like, towards Exmoor, of the fuschia-clad chines and fern shadowed streams, Illfracombe, is natural beauty personified.
