The Blog

The Carlton we have sought to work with a range of local quality suppliers, since August 2015. And to be fair we’ve got an amazing choice being based in the South West.

Being surrounded by over 230 miles of coastline means we get to choose from a huge variety of fish and seafood. Plenty of boats land in the south of the county, but in North Devon we have a thriving market at Appledore where Ilfracombe based S&P boats land their daily catch. Other smaller boats land in our own harbour. Species such as plaice, sole, cod, haddock and of course skate are all harvested. The quality of the fish is superb, and the sustainability is wonderful. The smaller day boats means the catch is fresher and caught in a more sympathetic less damaging manner.

We are equally proud to work with Phoebe Chope who supplies us tidal mussels and oysters from the Torridge estuary. The plump mussels are usually available all year round except when the weather is truly hot. Oysters make an occasional welcome on the menu too!

You can be sure that fish and seafood is a big feature of our brasserie and event food offer.

We tap into the main fruit and veg market in Bristol from time to time, with more exotic options. Equally we shop locally for vegetables, and our menu serves plenty of produce grown and picked locally. All year-round staples like cabbage, cauliflower and brassicas are regularly included. Seasonal delights such as asparagus from Braunton, samphire from the River Taw feature when the time is right.

Another true local merchant is Tony The Butcher. Tony works out of his shop in Muddiford, just a short 8-mile drive from our kitchen. Despite the size of his business Tony manages to bring us some fantastic West Country meats including most of our beef, pork and chicken. In one of our most popular menu items alone, the marriage of his pork sausagemeat, mixed with our recipe of herbs and seasoning, together with (another local) Farmer Bobs free range egg really makes our Scotch Egg. You’ll find this and other hand made dishes on our Club brasserie menu.

Tapping in to the knowledge and passion of our local merchants is really inspiring. Ensuring our own team of kitchen pro’s stay in tune with what’s best on the market and therefore best for our guests.

Here are just a few of our favourite dog walks in North Devon. We are proud to welcome well-behaved dogs at here The Carlton Hotel.

Morte Point, Mortehoe Village

Enjoy a challenging walk through a rare spot of coastal heathland which provides the wonderful backdrop for a wealth of wildflowers and wildlife.  You might even be lucky enough to spot some of our infamous sealife including dolphins and seals.

This wonderful dog walk will take you out into the fresh country air and really give you an opportunity to get the blood pumping with steep ascents, steps and descents to challenge you along the way.  Adventurers will be rewarded with the discovery of some hidden beaches along the way and for those who enjoy a bit of history, discover why Morte Point has been responsible for many a shipwreck throughout the centuries.

Saunton Sands

A short drive or long walk along the South West Coast Path and you arrive at stunning Saunton Sands. This particular beach is a favourite for dog walks as it welcomes dogs year round.

Saunton Sands employs easy to follow zoning sections where just the car park and first 5 minutes of your stroll requires that your dog is kept on the lead.  From here you have the next 3.5 miles of golden sands to explore and enjoy with your four legged friend.

Hillsborough Nature Reserve

Known to the locals as ‘the sleeping elephant’, Hillsborough Nature Reserve offers a short but testing walk for you and your dog.  This dog walk takes you past beaches which are also dog friendly so offers plenty of opportunity for a run and a dip in the sea for both of you – especially welcome during those warm summer months!

The views provided by this dog walk are glorious – a bird’s eye view of Ilfracombe, out to Lundy Island and even as far as the South Wales coast.  There is so much for nature lovers to enjoy along the way too with an array of wildlife and their habitats to be seen.

Baggy Point

As well as providing a dog friendly route, Baggy Point is also an easy access route which is especially important in opening up our beautiful countryside walks to as many people as possible.  Considered an easy route, Baggy Point lends itself to those pups who cannot manage a challenging route but still enjoy the great outdoors.  It is also considered equally good for young children.

Baggy Point might be a shorter, easier dog walk than others on our list, but nonetheless it delivers in breathtaking sights.  The views along the way extend along the coast and out to sea and you can also enjoy sightings of our diverse wildlife and sealife – there’s plenty to keep everyone captivated along the way.

The South West Coast Path

The Carlton Hotel is delightfully situated in Ilfracombe town centre where you can begin dog walks in any direction to end up on the beautiful South West Coast Path.  Here we have miles and miles of stunning countryside and coastal walks to explore and discover your very own favourite spot.

On the hotel doorstep

There’s so many walks around town and Ilfracombe. To name them all would take far too long. Our local fellow dog walkers will recognise many of these though

Up the Torrs – a gentle ascent (depending on whether you circuit clockwise or anticlockwise) including a dramatic view looking back to the channel over the compact ‘Combe valley. This walk starts on the pavement but quickly moves past the large Victorian houses and into wooded grounds.

The Seafront and harbour – past our lovely museum, onto Wilder beach. Always remembering to pick up a stick or two for Leo. Briskly onwards and around Capstone. Keeping an eye out for playing seals of the rocks, and sometimes hanging on for dear life as we pass Windy Point. A sharp turn left down to the harbour and maybe a rest in one of the bars along the Quay. Not always mind you (okay more often than not). Head back past St James and past the pretty row of shops, or take a little more time out by climbing the ascent to Fore Street and then the High Street.

Whilst we have only covered our top dog walks in this blog, there are of course so many dog walks here to enjoy and far too many to list .  The South West Coast Path website is an excellent place to begin to plan your local dog walks when you visit us here in Ilfracombe.

This dog friendly website is worth a look for more ideas

https://www.doggydevon.co.uk/category/stay/hotels-stay/north-devon-hotels-stay/

The Carlton Hotel is a dog friendly hotel which welcomes well behaved humans and their four legged friends.  Our aim is to make your break as pleasurable for your dog as it is for you.  Inform us when you book and we will endeavour to ensure all your needs are met, including bowls and dog beds in your room.

We look forward to welcoming you and your dog to The Carlton Hotel.