Places to Stay With a Bar in Ilfracombe

What the nine stays have in common

BritStays lists nine places to stay with a bar in the Ilfracombe region of Devon. Most of them are outdoor stays: five are camping sites, three are hotels and one is a holiday park. Six are in Ilfracombe itself. Lynton and Barnstaple have one each, and the ninth is Combe Martin Beach.

The bar is the one thing they all share, but the other facilities vary more than you might expect:

• Restaurant: 7 of the 9
• Pet friendly: 6
• WiFi: 4
• Sea views: 4
• EV charging nearby: 4
• Swimming pool: 3
• Near a bus stop: 3

A few things follow from these numbers. If you want to eat where you sleep, you have plenty of choice, because most of these stays also have a restaurant. Dog owners are well served too. WiFi and sea views each appear at fewer than half, so if either matters to you, check the individual listing before you book. Only three are flagged as near a bus stop, so if you're arriving without a car, filter for that early.

Choosing by the kind of trip you want

Families. The holiday parks and larger campsites are the obvious starting point. Hidden Valley Park in Ilfracombe has a playground alongside its bar and restaurant. Napps Holiday Park adds a swimming pool and evening entertainment, which helps when you need something for the children after dinner. Combe Martin Beach sleeps 12 and has a swimming pool and clubhouse, so it suits a larger family group or two households holidaying together.

Couples. If you'd prefer a hotel to a tent or caravan, there are two in Ilfracombe. The Old Rectory Hotel has a bar, restaurant and WiFi. The Carlton Hotel has a bar, restaurant and disabled access. Both make an easy base where dinner and a drink are on the premises. Another option is South Dean Camping, which lists a spa as well as a bar and restaurant.

Dog owners. Six of the nine are marked pet friendly. Hele Valley Holiday Park Campsite in Ilfracombe is one example and also has a gift shop. Pet policies often come with conditions, such as a limit on the number of dogs or restricted areas. Read the small print on any stay you're considering, and tell them you're bringing a dog when you book.

Away from Ilfracombe. If you'd rather not be in the main town, Caffyns Farm in Lynton has a bar, restaurant and cafe. Barnstaple Hotel offers a swimming pool, gym and spa if you want more leisure facilities than a campsite can give you.

Accessibility. The Carlton Hotel is the only example here that lists disabled access. If you need step-free rooms or other specific features, contact any stay directly to confirm the details.

What to do once you're there

With a bar and often a restaurant on site, you can spend your days out and not worry about where to eat in the evening. There's a good spread of heritage nearby.

• National Trust: Arlington Court and Hunter's Inn.
• Castles and heritage: Watermouth Castle and Castle Hill.
• Local history: the Lynton and Exmoor Museum and the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall, both good choices for a quieter day or a wet one.

Opening arrangements for attractions can change through the year. Check each one's own details before you set off, especially outside the main summer season.

When and how to book

Nine stays is a fairly small choice, and the most useful combinations narrow it quickly. Only three have a swimming pool, only three are near a bus stop, and only one lists disabled access. If your trip depends on one of these, book as early as you can. The same goes for larger groups. Combe Martin Beach is the only example with a listed capacity (12), so a big party has little to fall back on if it's taken.

Some practical points before you commit:

• Check what the bar and restaurant offer at the time of year you're travelling. On-site facilities at campsites and holiday parks are sometimes reduced outside peak periods.
• If you're driving an electric car, four stays have EV charging nearby. Confirm how close it is and whether it's likely to be free when you arrive.
• If you'll need to work or stream, ask about WiFi coverage, particularly on camping pitches, which can be some way from the main buildings.
• For dogs, confirm the pet policy in writing and ask whether dogs are allowed in the bar area.
• Pack for changeable weather, whichever type of stay you choose.