No need to use the car as there are a number of attractions within walking distance including the award-winning Ilfracombe Aquarium, the unique Tunnels Beaches, fascinating Ilfracombe Museum, Larkstone Leisure Park, Hele Cornmill and Chambercombe Manor, one of Britain's most haunted houses.

If it's entertainment you are looking for, you will find numerous events and festivals throughout the year, many based on the quayside at the historic harbour and at the prestigious Landmark Theatre on the seafront.

There are many fine and award winning beaches, from secluded coves to the wide stretches of golden sand with crashing surf. For a unique beach experience visit 'The Tunnels' in Ilfracombe, holders of a blue flag and seaside award or Hele Bay to the east of the town also award winners, for good bathing and rock pool exploring.

You will find plenty to do in and around Ilfracombe with a terrific range of activities available to suit all tastes including walking, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, horse riding, cycling, surfing, walking, sub-aqua diving or simply exploring.

Explore North Devon
A short distance by car or bus are the spectacular golden sandy beaches of Woolacombe, Croyde Bay and Saunton Sands, a mecca for surfing and a children's paradise.

Ilfracombe is ideally situated for you to explore the spectacular coastline and the delightful moorland reaches of Exmoor with its rolling hills and quaint villages. South of Ilfracombe is Barnstaple with its famous Pannier Market and Butchers Row and a mixture of recognisable chains and independent retailers. Further South and you come to Torrington, a quaint Devon town with cream teas galore. To the west are the beautiful Hartland Peninsula and the market town of Bideford. On the coast and estuary you will find Appledore, Westward Ho! and Clovelly, one of the last feudal villages.

Ilfracombe is the centre for some of the finest walking country in England. Whether you enjoy a gentle promenade walk around Capstone Hill, the rugged coastal path or prefer the river valleys and tranquillity of the moorland hills of Exmoor National Park you will find the scenery spectacular. Words somehow cannot fully capture this natural beauty, this 'great outdoors'.

The North Devon Coast path stretched from Hartland in the West, to Lynmouth in the East and encompasses such a variety of countryside, from the mighty hogback cliffs of Great Hangman, to the sweeping golden sands and wild surf at Woolacombe, to the calmer waters of the estuary of the Taw and Torridge rivers.

The coast path between Woolacombe and Lynton with Ilfracombe at its heart is breath-taking in more ways than one. Why not base yourself in Ilfracombe, walk a section of this path each day and be at one with nature.

Ilfracombe is also perfect for a wide range of different walks using your car or public transport. North Devon offers rolling Devon countryside inland and the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) hugs the spectacular coastline to Cornwall. Along this coast you will find vast sandy beaches, impressive headlands, the International Biosphere Reserve at Braunton Burrows, quaint fishing villages and lighthouses.

In the other direction you will find one of the most beautiful and challenging National Parks, Exmoor. It is a walker's paradise. Hundreds of miles of quality footpaths and bridleways await you to take you away from the crowds and into tranquillity and stunning scenery. Open moorland, deep wooded valleys and high coastal cliffs can all be included in one walk. Rushing rivers pass through untouched villages and farmsteads. Red deer and Exmoor ponies roam freely across the moor. Even returning to Ilfracombe will be a shock to the system after experiencing this peace and solitude.