If you love nature and wildlife, then Ilfracombe is a fabulous place to stay. You might be bringing your own four-legged companion along on holiday with you but, if not, we’ve got plenty of other creatures nearby to see!

Lundy Island

The Oldenburg sails to Lundy island from the quay and we’d encourage anyone who loves the natural world to take a trip to this special place. It’s got just one road, (or track really) so is car-free and is a real ‘get away from it all’ kind of place. It’s a bird watching destination and is also loved by divers for its marine life, but a short walk along the cliffs will reveal wild goats and ponies and if you clamber down to the shoreline you’ll even catch seals.

Biosphere reserve

A huge swath of North Devon has been designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Included in this are the sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, a dramatic landscape on the edge of the sea, rich in grasses and flowers. Another good way to really get close to this special North Devon landscape is on the Tarka Trail – a network of former railway lines which are now cycle and footpaths – which takes you along rivers, estuaries, wetlands and woodlands, all rich in wildlife.

Water journey

Right on our doorstep, along by the harbour you’ll find the Ilfracombe Aquarium. It’s like a Tardis inside, and is a fabulous place to discover all about the local river and sea life. The owners are passionate about caring for our local waterways and this comes through in the displays which are appealing for all ages.

Cliffside animal antics

And finally – how about a summer evening spent in a knockout coastal location, watching sheepdogs and birds of prey! Shepherd David Kennard keeps his flock over on the cliffs around Woolacombe and Mortehoe and each Wednesday evening throughout the summer you can go along to his farm, Borough Farm, and watch his gorgeous dogs round up the sheep.  It’s a great show, perfected over many years and is huge fun too. You’ll also find local falconer Martin Simkins there, performing amazing stunts with his falcons and owls.

It’s always such a hectic and busy time over the festive period, so much to organise, so many people to see, children at home for the holidays…as busy hoteliers we know just how hard it is to stop,  take a breather and look around you. But there’s so much out there to experience and enjoy, particularly when you’re in a stunning place like North Devon.

Like us, before we arrived in this part of the world, you may think of Ilfracombe as a summer holiday destination, but out of season, this is such an atmospheric place to be, it needs to be experienced!

If we can grab a few moments away from the hotel, we’ll take the dogs out along the coast path, or perhaps do the Torrs walk, a path created by the Victorians which takes you right out onto the cliffs. There are the most amazing views and on a blustery, winter’s day, is such an exhilarating feeling. The winter colours of rock, heather and gorse create such a dramatic landscape.

Quite a few of our visitors like to go ‘up the hill’ to go to one of the clay pigeon shooting areas. Nothing beats it for a burst of adrenalin and excitement and it suits either experienced shooters or those who are new to the sport. We’re lucky to have three such ranges right on our doorstep, set in this amazing coastal landscape. We also offer special Clay Pigeon Shooting breaks with special discounts and of course we have good car parking and a gun safe to make things easier for your stay.

Take a look at our Local Area page where you can also download the shooting break brochure.

Whether you like the thrill of winter sports or simply crave time to quietly explore the coastal landscape on our doorstep. We’d love to welcome you to The Carlton this winter. Check out our offers or call us on 01271 862446 if you’d like any more information.