The Guided Tour

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Ilfracombe, on Devon’s remote Atlantic coast, has long been a safe haven for seafarers and fishermen. In the16th century the port became an important base for ships trading with the Americas and Africa and a refuge from the pirates who once plagued the Bristol Channel.

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We begin our walking tour on the harbour side discovering stories of endeavour, enterprise and tragedy. Nowadays the fishing boats in this lovely walled port, share the waterfront with works of art, cafes and small shops set against a backdrop of rocky coves and steep Victorian terraces.

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By the late 1700s graceful houses and public buildings began to spread along the cliffs as wealthy Georgians came to Ilfracombe to bathe and socialise. We explore the town as far as the tunnels cut through the cliffs so Victorian holidaymakers could reach the tidal bathing pools and uncover accounts of remarkable people; writers, explorers and even the Kaiser who came to this fashionable resort.

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In WW2 Ilfracombe became a refuge for evacuees escaping the bombing of England’s industrial cities and Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi controlled Europe. The coast around the town was soon heavily defended against a German invasion and life under wartime restrictions became increasingly harsh. Then, in 1943, a friendly invasion of thousands of American servicemen, here to train for D-Day, brought a cultural revolution that left a lasting and poignant impact on the lives of locals.  We share the stories of these people and places during those remarkable times.

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This leisurely walking tour of this intriguing and inspiring town will leave you with stories to ponder and memories to savour and, we hope, a wish to return.