Log Cabins & Lodges in Ilfracombe

Lovers of cuisine, history, art, music events, culture and beaches will find the port city of Ilfracombe an ideal destination to enjoy a magical holiday, surrounded by imposing cliffs, beaches and trails for walkers and cyclists. This place has become a gastronomic destination as it is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants; as well as being an attraction for those who wish to contemplate the wonderful Verity statue by Damien Hirst. Of course the places to stay are part of its fascinating history, as many retain the Victorian air in their architecture.

The lodging options in this city provide a charming and timeless feeling, since it has maintained its port activity since the 12th century, so many of its lodges retain their Georgian and Victorian vibe. You can stay in inns with beautiful views of the marvellous cliffs, hills and historic buildings on the North Devon coast. You will find options to host the whole family, with capacity for 4, 6 or 10 people, extensive gardens and terraces and balconies with beautiful views and quick access to the beach.

In Ilfracombe there are many outdoor activities that can be done during your visit to the city. Being a coastal region, it has many small bays that are ideal and fun to explore. A little east, in Watermouth, there are several companies that offer tours of activities in the water, such as surfing and stand-up paddleboarding, where you will have available from surfboards, bodyboards, and wetsuits; kayaking, to paddle around the calm waves of Combe Martin Bay; wild swimming and something called coasteering, which involves climbing and swimming along the rugged coastline. These are activities that can be organized in individual sessions or in groups for an exhilarating adventure. On the other hand, you can also enjoy a Marine Safari to observe the birds on Lundy Island, as well as its grey seals, dolphins, sharks, gannets, chicks and puffins. On the other hand, at the Waters meet you can enjoy nature at its best; There are more than 2,000 acres to explore, waterfalls, rivers, more than 40 miles of trails, 130 gardens, and lots of wildlife. Undoubtedly, a heavenly place to enjoy during the trip.

Ilfracombe has amazing paths to walk, which have the peculiarity of being combined with amazing views of the landscape. One of the most famous is the Southwest Coast Trail, which goes from Combe Martin to Woolacombe, being a demanding route and in some sections, even dangerous, but all the effort is rewarded by the incredible views of Lundy Island and across the Bristol Channel to the coast of Wales; in summer, you can also watch the sea and see dolphins and sharks from time to time. On the other hand, near the Caen Street car park, is the Tarka trail; a mainly flat path, totally free of traffic, along the riverbank, where you can rent bicycles for a quiet family walk or a pleasant walk. Of course, its wonderful beaches offer beautiful hiking trails, as can be enjoyed at Wildersmouth Beach, Rapparee Cove, Harbor Beach and Hele Bay, but especially the sands of Woolacombe, are ideal for passing between its dunes and its rock pools and enjoy the beautiful scenery it offers. For its part, Saunton Sands is a magical stretch of golden sand that covers more than three miles and is the largest dune system in the United Kingdom. You can walk along this amazing beach and dive into the sea at the end of the tour.

The natural port of Ilfracombe was developed very early, and since about the year 1100 it was already in operation. Today it is the largest port on the North Devon coast and remains a fishing port where ships arrive at high tide dock. It is truly majestic as it rises suddenly from Lantern Hill to the other side of the sea at Hillsborough. From this port you can embark on cruises to Lundy Island to observe dolphins and seals in their natural habitat.

During the Victorian era, a system of tunnels was carved by hand that cut through the intricate cliffs and are the only way to access the beautiful beaches on the west side of the city. The passages that can be seen here are astonishing: cliffs filled with lush vegetation, as well as a tidal pool also built by the Victorians. Today you can rent deck chairs and umbrellas to enjoy this visual spectacle.

One of the most important attractions of Ilfracombe is at the entrance of the port, and it is the work of the famous sculptor Damien Hirst, who in 2012 carved a 20-meter-high bronze and stainless-steel statue called “Verity”, which refers to truth and justice. It is about an imposing pregnant woman who holds the sword of Justice in her left hand and the Balance in her right hand. Seminude, with parts of the body in an anatomical design, where you can see the muscles and even the fetus in its uterus, and loaded with symbolism; This incredible work does not leave anyone who looks at it indifferent.

In 1825, the Bassett family built the majestic Watermouth Castle, in a strong Gothic style that today has become an acclaimed attraction by tourists and residents. You can tour its interior and observe the incredible exhibition of antiques such as workshop tools and armour. The vaults feature dungeon mazes that are a lot of fun to explore and in the outer grounds there are themed areas like Gnome Land and Adventure Land.

Just off the South West Coast Path, alongside the incredible natural beauty of Hillsborough is the Hele Corn Mill, a 16th century corn mill that still stands today. It remains in operation, since the sale of whole ground corn continues to generate income for the area. You can tour this charming whitewashed building to see its inner workings, try grinding the flour yourself with a millstone, and visit the tearoom where delicious cakes and cream puffs are prepared using the mill's own flour.

Ilfracombe Parish Church is an old building with a Gothic façade, built in the 14th century. Its interior houses many interesting historical details to discover, such as its decorative ceiling painted in the 15th century, which is one of the most important works of art in the region; or on the other hand, a Norman square fountain from 1160, carved with rosettes and ears of wheat, which add a lot of elegance to the infrastructure.

The Ilfracombe Aquarium is not only home to more than 75 species of fish, octopus, crab and starfish that live in the Lundy Marine Conservation Area, but is also dedicated to the research and study of the aquatic life of North Devon, so you will have the opportunity to learn with expert guides in marine fauna, the interesting characteristics of these animals, as well as observe how they are fed in their natural habitat.