beach
Woolacombe Beach
Three miles of west-facing golden sand backed by dunes, consistently rated among Britain's best beaches for surfing and families.
8 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Ilfracombe
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe works well as a base: 10 minutes from Combe Martin, 19km from Valley of Rocks, Exmoor.
Ilfracombe is in England, United Kingdom, with about 11,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Combe Martin, about 6 km away.
Ilfracombe ( IL-frə-koom) is a seaside town and civil parish on the North Devon coast, England, with a small harbour surrounded by cliffs.
The parish stretches along the coast from the 'Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 4 miles (6 km) along the Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west. The resort is hillyRead more
and the highest point within the parish boundary is 'Hore Down Gate', 2 miles (3 km) inland and 860 feet (270 m) above sea level.
The landmark of Hillsborough Hill dominates the harbour and is the site of an Iron Age fortified settlement. In the built environment, the architectural-award-winning Landmark Theatre has a distinctive double-conical design. The 13th-century parish church, Holy Trinity, and the St Nicholas's Chapel (a lighthouse) on Lantern Hill, have been joined by Damien Hirst's statue of Verity as points of interest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Ilfracombe?
Within an hour or so of Ilfracombe: Woolacombe Beach (8 km), Saunton Sands (15 km), Valley of Rocks, Exmoor (19 km), Lynmouth (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Ilfracombe?
The nearest famous roads are Countisbury Hill, A39 Atlantic Highway (Barnstaple to Bude) and Porlock Hill.
Where is Ilfracombe?
Ilfracombe is in England, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Combe Martin.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 11,042
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.2093, -4.1134
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Ilfracombe
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
beach
Saunton Sands
A three-mile beach backed by Braunton Burrows, the largest dune system in England and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
15 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Valley of Rocks, Exmoor
A dry U-shaped valley of rock towers above the sea near Lynton, grazed by feral goats.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Lynmouth
A harbour village where the East and West Lyn rivers meet the sea, rebuilt after the catastrophic flood of 1952.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
A water-powered funicular opened in 1890, climbing 152 m of 1-in-1.75 cliff between the two villages.
20 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Watersmeet
A wooded gorge where Hoar Oak Water joins the East Lyn, with a National Trust tea garden in a former fishing lodge.
21 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Countisbury Hill
A long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Clovelly
Impossibly steep cobbled fishing village cascading down to a tiny harbour, where donkeys once carried goods and no cars are permitted.
31 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Ilfracombe
- 22 kmCountisbury HillA long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
- 31 kmA39 Atlantic Highway (Barnstaple to Bude)The North Devon and Cornwall coast road with sea glimpses, steep combes and access to Clovelly and Hartland.
- 35 kmPorlock HillBritain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
- 35 kmPorlock Hill (A39)One of England's steepest A-roads at 1-in-4 with hairpins out of Porlock onto Exmoor; a toll road offers a gentler alternative.
- 36 kmHartland PointA dramatic right-angled turn in the coast where Devon's cliffs meet the Atlantic, with a lighthouse below and notorious wrecks offshore.
- 37 kmDunkery BeaconThe highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset at 519 m, with views to the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor on clear days.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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