Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is located apropximately 44 miles north west of Exeter. The town’s name is a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Alfreinscoma which means the “Valley of the sons of Alfred” and it is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Ilfracombe overlies slates formed from sedimentary rock that are known as the Ilfracombe slates. Ilfracombe lies within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is renowned for its dramatic coastal cliffs and landscape. Hillsborough, lying close to the town centre has a local nature reserve, The Cairn, and the coast itself is part of the North Devon Voluntary Marine Conservation Area because of its diverse and rare species.
Ilfracombe was historically a significant port on the Bristol Channel, because of the natural layout of the harbour, which provides a safe port from the stormy Channel. Until the mid-19th century the town’s economy was based around maritime activities: importing lime and coal from Wales; fishing for herring; and international trade, including to West Africa and the West Indies. In George III and the Regency period the town was home to many navy personnel – 4 admirals, numerous captains, and other commissioned and non-commissioned sailors.
In the 1820s a set of four tunnels were hand carved by Welsh miners to permit access to the beaches by horse-drawn carriage as well as by foot. Previously access was gained by climbing the cliffs, rounding the point by boat, swimming or at the lowest tides clambering around the rocks of the point. These tunnels led to a pair of tidal pools, which in accordance with Victorian morals, were used for segregated male and female bathing. The tunnels are still viewable and are signposted as Tunnels Beaches.
The town gradually developed into a tourist resort served by ferries along the Bristol Channel and is now a busy seaside resort with the harbour remaining a focal point. There are many maritime activities – a yacht club, a sub-aqua club, a Gig boat club and a kayak and canoeing club plus a local branch of the Sea Cadets. Once a year the town hosts “Rescue Day”, an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the activities of the emergency services. The highlight of the day is a simulated air-sea rescue involving the launch of the Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat, a Sea King helicopter from RAF 22 Squadron, Exmoor Search and Rescue team and local Fire, Ambulance and HM Coastguard services.
In the town itself, the High Street continues to thrive, despite the arrival outside the area of supermarket stores by large retailers. High Street businesses include the major banks and building societies and small branches of many national or regional shop chains, but it still has traditional hardware stores and local butcher’s, baker’s, and florist’s shops, which to some extent maintain its traditional individual character.
The South West Coast Path connecting Minehead in Somerset to Dorset, via Land’s End, passes through the town via Ilfracombe Harbour. Ilfracombe is at the northern end of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route, which starts from the pier and ends in Plymouth.
