Ilfracombe and North Devon

Attractions and Places to Eat and Drink.

There are some superb restaurants to discover in and around Ilfracombe all personally sampled by your intrepid hosts for research purposes obviously!

Some of our favourites alphabetically are:

The Antidote - Fantastic wine bar with superb food right here in town! winners of a Michelin bib gourmand

Blue Groove - Great Bistro menu situated in the surf town of Croyde.

Chocolate Emporium - Our very own bespoke chocolate shop.

The Empress - Our favourite quality Chinese restaurant on the high street.

Giovanni & Lucas - Large family run Italian restaurant near the seafront.

The Hip @ No8 - Traditional and vegan food.

Kentisbury Grange - The Coach house Restaurant. Just the job for a fabulous special occasion at surprisingly reasonable prices.

The Lime Kiln Cafe - A fantastic new addition to the harbour with great views, a superb breakfast and an amazing evening menu.

Lyn Bay Fish and Chips - Amazing fish and chips every time from these guys, they even deliver!

Maiden Arch by Robert Bryant - Tucked away in Barnstaple Gourmet British cuisine for very special occasions.

New Coast Kitchen - At the heart of New Coast Kitchen is their passion for great flavours and the highest quality ingredients.

The menu will change with the season.

Noel Corston - Fine dining in Woolacombe (book ahead).

The Porthole - Woolacombe, fantastic views over the sea with superb sandwiches, salads and cakes

71 - Tasty Modern European great value.

Siam Bistro - Our closest and best Thai Restaurant in Braunton 15 mins by car.

Slice of Devon - Take away pizza from the Quay. Because you can never have enough Pizza in my opinion

Spice Lounge - At the bottom of our road, Indian takeaway and restaurant named as one of Britains best by the top 100 curry restaurants guide.

SQ - Traditional sumptuous restaurant in Braunton with a superb bar.

Squires - Superb fish and chip restaurant in Braunton, a favourite of Damien Hirst and John Major.

Take Thyme - Good fish, local meats, traditional atmosphere, what could be better?

Tandoori Nights Our Favourite Local Indian Restaurant.

Waterside Coffee house - A hidden gem with a lovely view that we discovered whilst walking along the Tarka trail to Barnstaple.

Galleries

Echo Beach Gallery

Magenta Fine Art Gallery

The Pier Gallery

Festivals and Events

North Devon Show

Ilfracombe Art Trail

Sea ilfracombe Festival

Ilfracombe Street Food Festival

Round Lundy Yacht Race

Air Xtreme Trampoline Experience

Tarka leisure Centre

Blakewell Fish Farm - A firm favourite, you can feed the fish and buy superb smoked trout and other local produce.

Bowling - Lets go Bowling Barnstaple

Coombes Golf Park - Try foot golf, disc golf, and a brand new Toptracer range—perfect for adults, kids, teens, and everyone in between.

Coasteering is an adventure activity that includes short sections of traversing around sea cliffs close to the water as well as short swims and lots of jumps from the cliffs into the sea. Jumps can be from as low as one foot up to 20 feet! Our friends at H2Outdoor and Nick Thorne both offer fantastic experiences.

Exmoor National Park Walks - A guide to some of the best walks in Exmoor that includes free GPS trails for each hike.

Exmoor Zoo Fantstic menagerie of animals for all ages

Gyms - Studio 20 Gym Ilfracombe, Physique Factory Gym Mullacott
Golf - this area is renowned for its golf courses.

Ilfracombe Aquarium - Always a hit with the kids, the local aquarium is packed with information on the local sea creatures and has displays and a touch pool to get right up close to our sea dwelling friends.

Ilfracombe Embassy Cinema

Ilfracombe Princess - Fantastic short coastal excursions

Ilfracombe Sea Safari - experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the North Devon Coast.

Ilfracombe Watersports Hub - This fabulous new additon to the town hosts the Gig Club, Sailing and Kayaking.

Kittiwake Charters - We took family on a seal swimming and dolphin watching experience to Lundy with these very friendly chaps. Highly recommended!

Keypitts Stables and Quads - This is where we learned to ride horses, they have lessons and rides for all levels.

North Devon Bike Hire

North Devon Fishing a guide to the local fishing 

North Devon Shooting Ground - Family friendly, they welcome all levels and abilities, clay pigeon shooting near Ilfracombe.

North Devon Wake Park - North Devon Wake Park boasts a stunning lake with all the trimmings. It doesn't matter if you have never wakeboarded before, they will get you started.

Rock and Rapid climbing wall

South West Shooting School  Clay Pigeon Shooting

Survival Combat Games - A 35 minute drive, a great full day out for the more energetic amongst you

Sea Kayaking at Lundy - Great Adventure

Tarka Trail Bike Hire - Time to get active along the mainly flat Tarka Trail

Ilfracombe Tennis Club In Bicclescombe Park Ilfracombe
Torrs walk to Lee and more - there are many superb walks straight from our front door

Watermouth Castle -Watermouth Family Theme Park & Castle - one of the West Country's premier family tourist attractions. Our kids loved this place!

Woolacombe Neo Cinema

Tunnels Beaches - This was a firm favourite with our littluns

RHS Rosemoor - Nestled in a Devon valley, Rosemoor blends formal and informal plantings to magical effect.
Woolacombe - Superb Golden Beach
Croyde - The Best Surf Beach In North Devon
Exmoor - Home of the Famous Ponies and Spectacular Scenery
Lundy - This Daytrip is a must, from Ilfracombe Harbour.
North Devons Biosphere Reserve - Learn more about North Devons Biosphere Reserve

There are plenty of places to surf for the beginner right up to the most advanced professional at - Woolacombe, Combesgate, Croyde, Saunton, Putsborough and Westward ho!
Nick Thorn Surf School - Nick Thorn Surf Coaching is a Putsborough based surf school offering Level 4 Master Surf Coach surf sessions for beginners, intermediate and advanced surf development. The sessions are fun and safe for all people from 6-80 years of age. They also offer Stand Up Paddle boarding, Coasteering, Junior Lifeguard and Lifeguard training specific sessions.
Magic seaweed Woolacombe website

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur park - A great day out for all
The Milky Way - Great rides!
The Big Sheep - Probably the country's only theme park based on sheep!

Landmark Theatre - Our local Theatre a short walk away.
Pleasuredome Theatre Company - Open air theatre at the stunning valley of the rocks Lynton.
Plough Arts Centre - Music, Cinema, Drama, its all here

Ilfracombe Museum - Local History coming to life

The Elmfield is a perfect venue for wedding accommodation. Hiring the whole house gives you complete flexibility over your day.

When you hire the Elmfield as your wedding accommodation you have complete freedom in how you choose to cater for your guests. We are more than happy to help you plan your day and put you in touch with excellent local suppliers or you can go full self catering

Some Wedding Essentials:

Dejeuny Flowers - Jane Fultons wonderful floral creations are very popular with our brides

Tunnels beaches - An amazing wedding venue, featured often on TV has to be seen to be believed

Sweet William Flowers - Another great florist from Ilfracombe

Indigo Perspective - Jon Malyn Photographer, responsible for many of our website pictures

Twisty Focus - Mike Atkinson Photography Barnstaple

Shine - Hair and Make-up Ilfracombe (Rosie and team)

Adeles Cafe - Serving Breakfasts, Lunches, Cakes and Cream Teas to eat in or takeaway. Dogs welcome too

Annie and the Flint - Wonderful coffee and excellent for gluten free (and non gluten free) treats.

Dollys Cafe - Seafront Cafe with superb cream teas.

Hele Cornmill and Tearoom - Hele Corn Mill is a working water mill and museum in Hele, near Ilfracombe, North Devon. Winners of the Devon Life magazine Best Tea Room award!

Johnny C's Bistro and Diner - Fabulous high street cafe with marvellous coffee.

Kiki Barista Cafe - All day breakfasts,Lunches Eat in or Takeaway
Tuesday-Saturday-Now fully licensed & serving alcohol

The PortHole - A fabulous beachside café in association with The National Trust, Marine Drive, Woolacombe, stunning views and fabulous food.

The Quay Wine Bar - Fantastic view of the harbour with wine and nibbles, Perfect.

Stacc - Stacc make high end, cakes, patisserie & coffee made with uber fresh local ingredients baked and served in house, also take away and special orders.

Storm in a teacup - All aboard! For a tempting treat, a scrumptious sandwich and a thirst quenching cuppa in the famous boat cafe, Storm in a Teacup. Located on picturesque Watermouth harbour between Ilfracombe and Berrynarbor/ Combe Martin

Swiss Cottage Cafe - Traditional high street cafe with wide menu options.

Admiral Collingwood Wetherspoons - A spectacular award winning design with a lovely sea view terrace and the usual great prices on a wide range of food and drinks, very popular with visiting families.

Bar Electric - Bar Electric is an independent café, bar and restaurant boasting fantastic views from the sun terrace of the world renowned beaches of Woolacombe in North Devon.The bar has a relaxed atmosphere accentuated by funky décor and furniture, great music, surf movies on loop.

The Depot - Mullacott Cross, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Tacos, Burgers and wood fired Pizzas

The St.George - Excellent value with Football on TV and pool tables.

George and Dragon - Traditional pub on Fore Street with great pub food and often a quiz on Tuesdays.

Grampus - A spectacular cliff top walk from the Elmfield takes you to the Grampus in Lee Bay, check listings for traditional live music and open mic nights.

Hunters Inn - Great walks should always end up at a great pub and the Hunters Inn is just such a pub with a superb Pub Menu

The Kings Arms - Re-opened and revived from imminent extinction in 2010, The Kings Arms is, (and loves being) back in it’s rightful place at the very heart of the vibrant community of Georgeham, North Devon. They are all about quality of food, drinks and most importantly hospitality.

Pyne Arms - This is a superb country pub with a highly recommended (by us!), Sunday dinner.

The Red Barn - Large surf inspired bar in Woolacombe with superb sea views and a great basic menu.

The Rock Inn Georgeham - Superb Gastro Pub about 15 minutes drive.

The Ship and Pilot - Fantastic local with big screen sports and a wide range of beers including GF and Low alcohol.

The Thatched Inn - Traditional pub with great food situated on the road out of Ilfracombe towards Combe Martin, superb Sunday dinners and lovely garden and terrace in the summer (our local).

We have some wonderful caterers in town who can handle parties of any size and who have great feedback from previous guests.

Relish  – Extensive outside catering experience

Seadog - North Devon produce with a world flavour. Wedding, Event and Bespoke dining in Devon and beyond

Tommy g - With over 15 years experience in the catering trade, Tommy G's Catering & Events offers bespoke menu design for all Weddings, parties, functions & Events.

Bar Supplies

GT Ales - Superb ales either by the bottle or in the barrel, delivered to your very own bar

Guests in the past have also used:

Combe Brewing Company      

Madrigal Brewing Company   

Take Away Delivery

Lyn Bay Fish and Chips, 01271866850

Slice of Devon, 01271862348

Tandoori Nights, 01271866453

Groceries

All Seasons Fruit And Veg  07307 609588

Mike Turton Butchers 01271863643

S & P Fish 07533168343

Asda Offer Delieveries

Lidl Ilfracombe

Sainsburys Offer Deliveries

Tesco Ilfracombe Offer Deliveries

Pampering

Saunton Sands Source Spa a truly stunning setting for a superb spa experience.

A Taste of The West - A great website for foodie adventurers
Food Magazine - for local Foodie News
Sharpham Wines - Fantastic local wines and cheeses