Catering for all ages, Ilfracombe is a Victorian family seaside resort with something for everyone. Base yourself at the Carlton and explore all that the town and area has to offer, within easy reach a wide area of North Devon.
From the town you can
- Visit local beaches
- Walk the North Devon Path
- Clay pigeon shoot
- Play a round of golf
- Explore the national park of Exmoor
- Cycle, swim, dive or surf in the area to your hearts content
A place where you can come and relax, where the sky meets the Atlantic Ocean. A resort that also has a contemporary edge from its top class restaurants, to its theatre and night life. Ilfracombe is a place to experience and be seen.
Local Beaches
There are many reasons why 40% of UK holidaymakers visit Devon. One is our fine beaches.
Woolacombe Beach (15 minutes away) is one of the most popular beaches in the whole county – and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a three-mile beach of golden sand and dunes and is a favourite among water sports fans. It’s a safe beach and yet has great surfing conditions. Powered craft are prohibited in the water, but excellent facilities are available for surfing, windsurfing, sailing and sea canoeing.
Croyde Beach lies between the headlands of Baggy Point to the north and Saunton Down to the south. Apart from a rocky foreshore to the north and south, the beach consists entirely of fine sand which is ideally suited for many sports and activities, particularly surfing. Impressive dunes rise steeply along the full length of the sands, which extend to more than half a mile in length. Good facilities and convenient parking make this a popular beach for both holiday makers and local residents.
Saunton Sands 3 miles of golden sands, facing the Atlantic, the beach stretching as far as the mouth of the Taw/ Torridge Estuary. Backed by Braunton Burrows – did you know these contain some of the highest sand dunes in the country? Saunton is a well known North Devon surfing beach, but with usually more manageable waves for the inexperienced and novice surfers amongst you.
Putsborough Sands lies at the southern end of Woolacombe Bay, North Devon. There are rock pools for toddlers, surfing for the athletic and walking for the more relaxed. Generally uncommercialised, there is a small beach café, ample parking and a toilet block.
Much closer is the world famous Tunnels Beaches, literally next to the Carlton Hotel, lies within a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is part of a Voluntary Marine Conservation area. Tunnels Beaches is the safest beach in North Devon according to official figures. The tidal sea water swimming pool is ideal for dinghies and inflatables – the kids will love it! The pool is visible for 3 hrs before and after every low tide so you may want to plan your visit accordingly.
From May to late October lifeguards patrol most of the beaches. Take notice of the safety signs and be aware of strong rip currents. Always swim between the red and yellow flags and if you’re learning to surf stay between the black and white flags.
