Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Ilfracombe
The best holidays are planned around great days out. Here's what's on the doorstep in Ilfracombe, from big-ticket attractions to rainy-day savers.
Showing museums, aquariums and attractions with indoor areas — the ones that work whatever the forecast.
Aquariums
0.5 mi from Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe Aquarium
Ilfracombe Aquarium sits in the Old Lifeboat House on Ilfracombe's historic pier, taking you on a themed journey from an Exmoor stream's source down through river, lake, pond, estu...
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Museums & Galleries
0.1 mi from Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe Museum
Ilfracombe Museum is an independent charity museum housed in the former laundry of the old Ilfracombe Hotel, founded in 1932 by collector Mervyn Palmer. Inside you'll find an eccen...
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1.1 mi from Ilfracombe
Hele Cornmill
Hele Cornmill is a 16th century working water mill in North Devon, where entry to the mill is free and you can see the mill workings, learn about its history, and watch an informat...
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3.7 mi from Ilfracombe
Combe Martin Museum
Combe Martin Museum is a small, accredited local history museum and Tourist Information Point set over three floors, covering silver mining, maritime and farming heritage, village...
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7.1 mi from Ilfracombe
Braunton and District Museum
Museum in Braunton, Devon, England, United Kingdom
7.1 mi from Ilfracombe
Museum of British Surfing
The Museum of British Surfing is a Museum based in Braunton, Devon; the museum contains exhibits relating to the history of surfing in the United Kingdom. — Wikipedia
9.3 mi from Ilfracombe
St Anne's Chapel
St Anne's Chapel is Barnstaple's last surviving Chantry Chapel, thought to date mainly to the early 14th century, with a ground-floor undercroft that may once have served as a buri...
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9.4 mi from Ilfracombe
Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is a local museum covering the history and culture of the North Devon area and which is located in The Square in Barnstaple in Devon. The displ... — Wikipedia
11.2 mi from Ilfracombe
North Devon Maritime Museum
North Devon Maritime Museum sits in Appledore, in Northam, Torridge, Devon, and tells the story of the area's seafaring past. Inside you can turn a ship's wheel, tie knots, see how...
12.6 mi from Ilfracombe
Lynton and Exmoor Museum
The Lyn and Exmoor Museum is a small museum in Lynton, Devon, England, housed in the town's oldest surviving domestic dwelling, a Grade II listed, whitewashed, stone cottage. — Wikipedia
12.8 mi from Ilfracombe
Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall
Lynmouth Lifeboat Station was the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Lynmouth, Devon in England from 1869 until 1944. Its best-know... — Wikipedia
13.4 mi from Ilfracombe
Burton at Bideford
The Burton at Bideford is a gallery and museum set in a historic port on the north Devon coast, combining art galleries, a permanent collection, a shop and a French bistro café. Yo...
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14.4 mi from Ilfracombe
Cobbaton Combat Museum
Cobbaton Combat Collection is a military museum in Chittlehampton, North Devon, built up from Preston Isaac's hobby since it opened to the public in 1981. You'll find tanks, trucks...
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17.7 mi from Ilfracombe
Great Torrington Heritage Museum
Museam in Great Torrington, Devon, England, UK
18.2 mi from Ilfracombe
South Molton Museum
South Molton Museum sits on the ground floor of the town's historic Guildhall, built in 1743, and is run by the Town Council and volunteers to share the local area's social history...
18.8 mi from Ilfracombe
Fisherman's Cottage
Fisherman's Cottage sits just along the path from the New Inn, next to the Kingsley Museum, and gives a glimpse of how a Clovelly fishing family lived in the 1930s. Inside you'll f...
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23 mi from Ilfracombe
Dovery Manor Museum
Dovery Manor Museum occupies a Grade II* listed 15th-century manor house at the heart of Porlock, a coastal Exmoor village. Inside, the Great Hall displays paintings and artefacts...
25.2 mi from Ilfracombe
War Horse Valley Country Farm Park
War Horse Valley Country Farm Park is a working Devon farm near Iddesleigh, on the ground around which the book War Horse by Michael Morpurgo was set. You can explore the animals,...
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26 mi from Ilfracombe
Porthcawl Museum
Porthcawl Museum is a small, volunteer-run local history museum housed in the Old Police Station on John Street. Inside you'll find over 8,000 items, including household and milita...
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Theme Parks
14.3 mi from Ilfracombe
The BIG Sheep
The BIG Sheep is a family theme park and farm attraction in Woolacombe, Devon, offering live shows such as the World-Famous Sheep Race and Duck Trials, an animal barn to meet pigs,...
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19.3 mi from Ilfracombe
The Milky Way Adventure Park
The Milky Way Adventure Park is a family theme park near Bideford, close to the North Cornwall border, combining rides, indoor play and live shows across more than 110,000 sq ft of...
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Water Parks
29.8 mi from Ilfracombe
Aquasplash Play Pool
Aquasplash Play Pool is a seasonal outdoor water play attraction at Aberavon, forming part of the wider Aberavon Leisure & Fitness Centre run by Celtic Leisure. It operates from la...
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Where to stay near Ilfracombe
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Ilfracombe
Itineraries
Haunted Britain
Ilfracombe makes a good base for exploring this stretch of north Devon. Within a few days you can fit in National Trust estates, castles, small local museums and a surfing museum, with plenty of tea rooms and a well-rated pub to break up the day. This guide sorts the main attractions by type, suggests how to group them, and helps you turn a day out into a short break.
Heritage and historic houses
If you enjoy old buildings and the stories behind them, you have a strong choice. Arlington Court is cared for by the National Trust, so you can expect a well-kept property and visitor facilities. Opening arrangements vary through the year, so check before you set off. Castle Hill and Watermouth Castle are both listed as castle and heritage sites, and either one gives a day a clear focus.
For local history, the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall remembers the flood that shaped that part of the coast. It is a quiet, thoughtful stop rather than a big attraction. Pair it with the Lynton and Exmoor Museum to learn more about the communities on the edge of the moor.
Family days out
The Museum of British Surfing, listed under Woolacombe, is a good choice for families, especially if your children have already been out on a bodyboard. It ties neatly into a beach-and-surf theme for the day. Watermouth Castle also works well with children, because a castle tends to hold younger visitors' interest better than another gallery.
Smaller museums suit families too, as long as you keep visits short. A focused hour in the Combe Martin Museum followed by a cream tea is often more enjoyable for children than a long day indoors.
Rainy day options
North Devon weather can turn quickly, so it helps to have indoor plans ready. The region's museums are your best bet:
- Combe Martin Museum: local history close to Ilfracombe
- Lynton and Exmoor Museum: the story of the moorland edge
- Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall: a short but memorable visit
- Braunton and District Museum: local heritage, listed under Woolacombe
- Museum of British Surfing: ideal if the sea is too rough to go in
Small museums often keep limited or seasonal hours, so check opening times before you rely on one for a wet afternoon.
Outdoors
Hunter's Inn is a National Trust site and a natural starting point if you want to get outside. Wear proper footwear and bring a waterproof, whatever the forecast says in the morning. National Trust grounds at Arlington Court also give you room to stretch your legs between indoor visits.
Grouping attractions into a day
The easiest way to plan is to pick a theme and stick to it rather than rushing between opposite ends of the region. Some combinations that work well:
- Surf and local history: the Museum of British Surfing in the morning, then the Braunton and District Museum after lunch. Both are listed under Woolacombe.
- Coast and moor: the Lynton and Exmoor Museum and the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall together, with time outdoors around Hunter's Inn.
- Close to Ilfracombe: the Combe Martin Museum paired with Watermouth Castle, which suits a shorter day or a late start.
- Grand day out: Arlington Court on its own, or with Castle Hill if you have the energy for two big heritage visits.
Build in a long lunch. Most of these visits are short, so a relaxed meal stops the day feeling rushed.
Where to eat
Every place below holds a 5-star food hygiene rating, which is reassuring when you are eating somewhere new. Tea rooms dominate, which suits a day of museums and walks:
- Fremington Quay Cafe: tea rooms
- Quay Cafe: tea rooms
- The Lime Kiln Cafe: tea rooms
- Little Mama‘s: tea rooms
- The Wellington: a pub and inn, better suited to an evening meal
Tea rooms are good for lunch or an afternoon break, but they can close earlier than you might expect. For a proper dinner, The Wellington is the more likely choice.
Turning it into a short break
There are 238 places to stay in the Ilfracombe region on BritStays, so you should find something that suits your group and budget. Three nights is enough to cover each theme above without rushing:
- Day one: a heritage day at Arlington Court
- Day two: surf and local history around Woolacombe
- Day three: coast and moor, keeping a museum in reserve in case it rains
Practical tips before you go
Check opening days and times for each attraction before you travel, especially outside the summer holidays, when small museums may open less often. If you are a National Trust member, bring your card for Arlington Court and Hunter's Inn. Pack waterproofs and sturdy shoes even for a museum day, since you may well end up walking. If you plan to eat at a popular tea room at the weekend, arrive early or call ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Which attractions near Ilfracombe are run by the National Trust?
Two of the landmarks in the region are National Trust properties: Arlington Court and Hunter's Inn.
What can I do in Ilfracombe on a rainy day?
The region's museums are the best wet-weather options. These include the Combe Martin Museum, the Lynton and Exmoor Museum, the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall, the Braunton and District Museum and the Museum of British Surfing. Check opening times before you go.
Are there castles to visit around Ilfracombe?
Yes. Watermouth Castle and Castle Hill are both listed as castle and heritage sites in the region.
Is there anything for surfers or families interested in surfing?
The Museum of British Surfing, listed under Woolacombe, is a good choice for anyone interested in surfing, and it works well for families.
Where can I eat near Ilfracombe with a good hygiene rating?
Fremington Quay Cafe, Quay Cafe, The Lime Kiln Cafe and Little Mama‘s are all tea rooms with 5-star hygiene ratings. The Wellington is a pub and inn with the same rating.
How many places to stay are there in the Ilfracombe region?
BritStays lists 238 places to stay in the Ilfracombe region.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Ilfracombe.