Ilfracombe and North Devon attractions and places to eat and drink.

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.
Ilfracombe Princess - Fantastic short coastal excursions
North Devons Biosphere Reserve - Learn more about North Devons Biosphere Reserve

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!

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

Coasteering - 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!

Exmoor National Park Walks - A guide to some of the best walks in Exmoor that includes free GPS trails for each hike.
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 Sea Safari - experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the North Devon Coast.

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

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.

Survival Paintball And Airsoft - 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
Torrs walk to Lee and more - there are many superb walks straight from our front door

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

Broomhill art centre - Lots of sculpture plus a great restaurant and Jazz

Chambercombe Manor - As featured on TV, a very haunted place indeed.
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

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

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.

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

Chocolate Emporium - Our very own bespoke chocolate shop.

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

Emperors Court - Our favourite quality Chinese restaurant on the high street.

Espresso Seafood - Perfect for a sunny day, Helen and Harvey serve up the best sea food in town (closed October-Easter).

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

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

Ilfracombe Tandoori - Very local Bangladeshi/Indian.

Kentisbury Grange - The Coach house by local culinary legend and TV regular Michael Caines. Just the job for a fabulous special occasion at surprisingly reasonable prices.

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

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

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.

Relish Brasserie Ilfracombe - Fantastic Fish, Pizzas and Burgers.

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

Settantanove - Marvellous fresh pizzas made by our good friend Omar.

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

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

Squiers - 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?

1873 by Thomas Carr - Recently awarded a Michelin star in the 2017 Michelin Guide, Thomas Carr had the Olive Room on Fore Street. They believe that fine dining is best enjoyed in a relaxed and unpretentious environment.

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

Costa Coffee - You May have heard of these, this new store is a fabulous addition to the high street.

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.

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.

The Hip and Pistol - Traditional and vegan food, Big screen Sports.

The Thatched Inn - Traditional pub with great food situated on the road out of Ilfracombe towards Combe Martin, superb Sunday dinners.

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

Relish Bar and Bistro – 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      

Wizard Brewing Company   

Madrigal Brewing Company   

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

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

Jo Kift Makeup - Beautiful wedding makeup and hair from Jo Kift

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)