The Elmfield, Big Holiday House & Retreat Venue

Special Summer Deal Now Available!

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:27:29 -0800

Great news! A last-minute cancellation means we suddenly have one final unbooked week available in August.

The prime week of 21st–28th August 2026 has just opened up — and it’s yours for £4,850 in instalments or £4,700 if you swoop in with a one-off payment (usually £4,950!).

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It’s our one and only high-summer week left, and it won’t hang around… so grab it while you can!
Call Matt on 07753 826068 and make August 2026 officially epic!

Festive Family Fun in Ilfracombe & North Devon: Your Ultimate Guide - Oct to Dec 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:46:52 -0700

Ilfracombe and the stunning North Devon coast truly come alive in the cooler months, offering a magical blend of crisp seaside air, twinkling lights, and heartwarming family activities. If you're planning a visit between October and December 2025, you're in for a treat! From spooky Halloween adventures to enchanting Christmas experiences, there's something to delight every member of the family. Here’s your ultimate guide to family-friendly events and attractions in and around Ilfracombe:

Autumn/Winter Delights!

"The Secret Life of Pumpkins" & Autumnfest at Arlington Court

Step into the beautiful National Trust estate of Arlington Court for a truly autumnal experience. Their "Secret Life of Pumpkins" trail guides you through the gardens with fun, hands-on activities, creepy-crawlies, and a charming pumpkin banquet display. While you're there, enjoy the Autumnfest scarecrow trail – a delightful sight for all ages!

North Devon knows how to put on a show for Guy Fawkes Night!

Spooks and Sparks...Read More

Our Top 5 Festivals in The South West

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:13:23 -0700

We know there is quite a big festival held in the South West most years but for those who didnt get tickets for Glastonbury or those who prefer a more intimate feel we have put together our top 5 summer festivals which are close by. (Shindig and Pigstock are both well worth checking out for 2026).
1) Goldcoast Oceanfest
Our closest music festival which combines great music from some big names, food and drink and lifestyle stalls with surfing and sea activities. Set overlooking the sea at Croyde bay we have a lot of friends who are regulars.
Check for availability.
2) Beautiful Days
We are desparate to get to this one although tickets go quickly so you need to be on your toes!
Ottery St. Mary is roughly one and a half hours drive from us.
Beautiful Days is the Levellers’ family music festival and is proudly independent, there is entertainment across 6 stages plus The Magic Teapot, Site Art installations, a huge Children’s Area, Kanga Wellbeing, Walkabout Theatre, family camping, real ale bars from Otter Brewery, Folk Sessions and a vast selection of carefully chosen food & craft...Read More

Our Top 5 Local Live Music Venues

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:22:31 -0700

Live music is thriving in Ilfracombe, with everything from full bands to acoustic sets and open mic nights lighting up the local scene. As passionate fans of live performances, we've rounded up our top 5 favourite venues that every visitor should experience.
1) Music At The Harta Retreat
Live music is a new addition to the activities at the Harta Retreat run by Miranda and Aaron just 10 minutes from Ilfracombe. There are currently Saturday shows and chilled Sunday Acoustic shows running throughout the summer, all taking place in a unique heated Tipi with its own bar. We visited recently and were blown away!
Check out listings Here
2) Grampus Inn Lee
If you play an instrument and want to mix it with some of the best local folk, jazz and blues musicians around you need to get yourself to the Grampus Inn in the nearby village of Lee. As well as being a superb fiddle player, Bill also brews his own in house beers, whats not to like :-)
Website
3) George and Dragon Ilfracombe
Built in 1360 the George &. Dragon has always been a popular pub. They are dog and family friendly so everybody receives a warm welcome from local owners Rob and Rosie. A full weekly roster of acoustic acts are booked in throughout the year so check them out. Just a 10 minute walk from us at the Elmfield.
Read More

Our Top 5 Activities for Kids

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:44:56 -0700

There are sooooo many actvities for kids in North Devon that it was a struggle to keep the list down to just five! These are some of the tried and tested favourites that our kids loved and which we recommend to all our visitors so they make the most of their time here. We have a full list of our favourite activities here.
1) The Milky Way Adventure Park - Incorporating the Wake park and Aquapark
Celebrating 40 years in 2024 and still owned by the same local family, The Milky Way offers a super friendly, great value, full day out – without spending hours queueing! Its unique blend of multi award winning entertainment has been thoughtfully designed by their team to encourage families to have fun together, whatever the weather.
For the Surfers there is the attached Wakepark and Aquapark which offer a superb cable wakeboarding experience for slightly older children and adventurous parents.
All rides, soft play and shows are included in the one entrance fee – just make sure you book in advance, as the park often reaches capacity during peak periods!

Opening times and prices vary throughout the year please visit the website for more information.
North Devon is brimming with breathtaking views, but do you know what could make them even better? Cake! It's often the answer to most questions after all. Here’s our list of favorite picturesque spots for cake (and other treats), each perfectly situated to let you savour both the flavours and the beauty of our stunning coastline.
1) The Porthole - Marine Drive, Woolacombe Beach.
The Porthole is café and kiosk overlooking the dunes In Woolacombe on Marine Drive. Run by a brother and sister-in-law duo, our good friends Beth and Jim with a small friendly team in tow they are open year round. The menu features a variety of cakes, salads, savouries & sandwiches made fresh each morning in their Ilfracombe kitchen.
Beth and Jim take great care in producing everything themselves; the marinades and sauces in the sandwiches, the kimchi in the famous Scotch eggs, the cakes that fill the boards on the counter each day, the syrups for the iced drinks are all made in house..
Website
2) Barricane Beach Café
Barricane Beach café is on barricane beach in Woolacombe, open during the day for freshly made baguettes, ciabatta's, salads,...Read More

It's The Elmfield Christmas Playlist!

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:37:36 -0800

Putting the tree up? Thinking about maybe starting to do a list for the Christmas shopping?
What you need is the Spotify Elmfield Christmas Playlist.
Here it is with over 80 hand picked festive bangers.
Have a super Christmas everyone x

Read More

Our top 5 Foodie Restaurants

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 11:18:55 -0700

We love eating out whenever we can but sometimes we like to go to somewhere a bit special. It took some whittling down but we did it and have come up with our top 5 restaurants close to us in North Devon which offer just that.
1) The Antidote Wine Room - Ilfracombe.
Hosted by our good friends Paul and Sarah the Antidote offers an Intimate Dining and Exceptional Food. Using Fresh Local and in Season ingredients you will experience some of the best food in Ilfracombe from this pretty little restaurant. Thoughtful service always with a smile and Wines to Match every plate. Menus are constantly changing, full of flavour and personality.
Website
2) Kentisbury Grange , The Coach House - Barnstaple
The Coach House at Kentisbury Grange, with its unique design and handcrafted furniture, offers a warm, inviting backdrop to genuine culinary experiences.
There is an open-theatre kitchen to see where the magic happens. The chefs, passionate about their craft, use local and fresh ingredients, keeping the food miles impressively low.
Website
3) Levain - Ilfracombe
A very welcome new addition to the high street in Ilfracombe and already one of our new favourites. These guys are all about the food with everything cooked from scratch. Lots of flavour in a modern european style with a relaxed and inviting...Read More

Our Top 5 Cake and Coffee Places

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 02:11:04 -0700

Many, many people ask us about cakes and cream teas when they visit us in Ilfracombe. Fortunateley we are blessed with some fantastic places and here are our top 5.
1) Stacc - Ilfracombe
The cakes and pastries from these guys are truly inspirational. They can deliver for your special occasion or why not head down to their seafront cafe and take in the atmosphere and superb music from their own reident DJ! Stacc also serve up the best cocktails and coffee around with homemade syrups and secret recipes.
https://www.staccbakes.com
Facebook Page
2) Kiki Barista Cafe - Ilfracombe
This is a superb cafe for tasty breakfasts, some of the best coffee in town and a range of lovely cakes in a bright and groovy environment run by some of our very good friends.
Find out more
3) Annie and the Flint - Ilfracombe
A lovely, warm and inviting rustic/industrial styled cafe right here on Ilfracombe high street. Much of the food is from local Devon and Cornwall producers and where that is not possible they take pride in choosing suppliers not based on price but based on quality. Everything that goes into an Annie and the Flint menu item is from high quality, environmentally friendly, suppliers. Awesome cakes, great coffee and very fine big sandwiches.
Read More

Our Top 5 Stag Weekend Activities

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:11:16 -0700

Once the bar has been fully utilised and you have enjoyed a relaxing swim in your own heated pool, it's time to venture out and hunt down all the activities that North Devon has to offer. We have listed 5 of our favourites below, we have a more comprehensive list here.
1) Survival Combat Games
For the more energetic day out Survival Combat games offers Lazer tag and Airsoft in a fantastic setting aroung 30 mins from The Elmfield by car.
Find out more Here
2) Surfing/Kayaking/Stand Up Paddleboarding/Coasteering
Our good friends at H2Outdoors offer all kinds of sea based activities with a bonus of 10% off when you say you are staying at the Elmfield! More offer details here
3) Fishing Trips and Sea based activities.
There are...Read More