The Harbour

Ilfracombe harbour is the jewel in Ilfracombe’s crown and a hub of activity.  There has been a port here since at least the 12th Century and a settlement for much longer. Today the predominant use is for leisure and tourism but this is still a working harbour with fish and seafood landed daily.

You will find kiosks at the end of the quay where you can book boat trips, coastal cruises, deep sea fishing and sea-life safaris.   Take a trip on the Ilfracombe Princess and see seals, porpoises and sea birds nesting on the cliffs. Try your hand at sea fishing on Blue Fin or take an exhilarating tour of the amazing coastline on the Ilfracombe Sea Safari.   Take a day trip to Lundy Island on the MS Oldenburg or a trip on one of the smaller boats and swim or dive with the seals.    The more adventurous might like to try coasteering, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding from the Watersports Hub

Along the Quay and in the surrounding streets there are restaurants, cafes, tea gardens and pubs, many with outside seating, giving the feel of a continental pavement culture.   Enjoy takeaway fish and chips, pasties or locally made ice cream, whilst strolling the harbour but watch out for those pesky sea gulls.

You will find many art and craft galleries and small shops selling gifts and seaside goods as well as clothes, shoes and local produce.

St Nicholas Chapel perched on the top of Lantern Hill built in 1361, houses England’s oldest working lighthouse. Ilfracombe Aquarium is a fun all-weather attraction and café. The working RNLI lifeboat station is open to the public and houses Ilfracombe’s Shannon class lifeboat The Barry and Peggy High Foundation,  and you cannot miss Damien Hirst’s ‘Verity’, a 20m tall bronze statue, overlooking the harbour entrance, a ‘must see’ for  all visitors.