Ilfracombe is the jewel in the crown of North Devon. It needs a little polishing, quite a lot of polishing, but its natural beauty is undeniable and its community beats like a human heart.
20 years ago today Mrs Z, our cocker Felix and I posted the keys of our house in Windsor through the letterbox and drove 194 miles to our new house in Ilfracombe, North Devon. A big move and, while we knew in our hearts what we were doing, we had no detailed plan. People often … Read more
A crab sandwich from this tea garden triggered our move to Ilfracombe 20 years ago. The chance offer of a week’s holiday for my aunt and mum had brought me back to North Devon, after I offered to drive them down to Fremington with our spaniel, Felix. I stayed over a day which we spent … Read more
Ticket to ride This ticket started me on a journey 50 years ago on Saturday, 2 August 1969. I didn’t know it at the time, but that train journey from Paddington to Ilfracombe, on the north coast of Devon, would bring me to the place where I would live 50 years later. We had a … Read more
I paddled in the sea at Woolacombe again this morning, throwing a tennis ball for our dog, before starting work. What a blessed life. But it’s not always sunny. On wintry days, we’re struggling along the beach in wellies with our faces sandblasted by the wind. But still it’s a blessed life. We moved from … Read more
Whatever happened to serious theatre? By that I don’t mean plays without jokes, but writing with depth that leaves you thinking and searching for answers the next day. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Terrence McNally‘s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune at the SPACE in Ilfracombe. Now here I have … Read more
Today is the 13th anniversary of moving to Ilfracombe in North Devon. After locking the door of our house in Windsor, we posted the keys through the letterbox and set off in our two cars, with our cocker spaniel, Felix, wondering how our adventure would unfold. Not much went to plan, as we forgot that life … Read more
It’s a strange thing, grief. Just when you think you’ve worked through a stage, it strikes again. Fortunately, I’ve got some wonderful people to talk to and, of course, there’s the calming magic influence of dogs. The past couple of days have been tough, but after a deep chat this morning, I decided my brain needed … Read more
I’ve had a weekend off. Unusual. I’ve been walking around the town where I live: Ilfracombe. And over two days, I’ve stopped and talked to so many friendly people. It’s been marvellous. Now, I’m really a city boy, brought up to sit, or stand, on Tube trains, po-faced, not uttering a word. For years, when … Read more
10 years ago this morning, we set off in our two cars from Windsor on our big move to Ilfracombe. Were we doing the right thing? Would we settle in? How would we feel in North Devon? The answer is that the 10 years have sped past and we’ve never looked back. We know so … Read more
We went on a special shopping trip to Marks and Spencer in Camberley earlier in the year. It’s a big store and very smart. We went there specifically because it is big and a close family member in a wheelchair wanted to be able to see a good selection of clothes. It was easy for … Read more
I was lucky to be invited to the launch of Ilfra-Expo on Sunday 14 July 2013 for a whistle-stop tour of the art installations around Ilfracombe. It made so much of an impact that today we took the day off to go round again at a slower pace. Like many people, I’m often rushing about … Read more
If I didn’t already live in Ilfracombe, I would book my holiday here. Plenty of accommodation, dining and activity ideas in the 2012 Ilfracombe brochure. Open publication – Free publishing – More accommodation
Free parking is available in Ilfracombe for Christmas shoppers from 2pm to 6pm on Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 and Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 December 2011 at the following North Devon Council operated car parks: Jubilee Gardens Pier Wilder Road Cove Brookdale Oxford Grove Larkstone Lane Marine Drive Hillsborough Anyone wishing to take advantage … Read more
It feels and looks like spring in the park as everything wakes up.
At Bicclescombe Park Ilfracombe, North Devon, the sun seemed to want to play tennis . . .
As well as uncovering its ancient historic past as a hill fort, the work clearing vegetation from Hillsborough is making it easier to appreciate different views of Ilfracombe, North Devon, especially the harbour.
I just had to climb up Capstone Hill, Ilfracombe today.
When people say “it’s raining, there’s nothing to do”, Ilfracombe is the place to be. There are lots of things to do in this seaside resort on the North Devon coast. In fact, the Ilfracombe and District Tourism Association have put them into a leaflet, which you can view online.
The latest guide to Ilfracombe in North Devon is out now. You can view it online or download a PDF.
Would you like to appear in Studio Theatre’s June 2011 production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream?