Ilfracombe campsites

The unspoilt coastline in Devon is a great place to visit on a summer holiday and there are lots of attractions to keep everybody happy. If you’re staying in Ilfracombe, there are a range of great walks, beaches, coves and rock pools to explore, starting with the hand carved Tunnels Beaches which were manmade to provide a sheltered tidal bathing pool.

Other popular beaches in the area include Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands at Braunton. Or for something a little quieter, head to Lee Bay and Rockham Bay - both perfect for escaping the crowds.

The Tarka Trail offers walkers and cyclists 180 miles of cycle and footpaths both along the coast and through pleasant countryside, while the well-mapped South West Coast Path offers spectacular sea views.

A great way to see the coastline and spot some marine life is to take a boat trip with the Ilfracombe Sea Safari in a 10 metre Humber RIB. Speeding along at up to 20 knots, you can enjoy spotting seals, dolphins and porpoises. The Ilfracombe Princess Cruises also leave from the harbour and offer wildlife sightseeing tours.

Back on dry land, the historic Watermouth Castle houses several interesting displays, as well as landscaped gardens and its very own theme park with different areas including Gnome Land and Castle Treasures.

Ilfracombe Museum also offers rainy day fun for all with its range of exhibits, including a two headed kitten and pickled bats! Don’t miss the Hele Corn Mill and Tearoom’s either.

Animal and nature lovers will enjoy the Ilfracombe Aquarium, which is perfect for a family day out and is home to a variety of marine creatures, offering an insight into the aquatic life of the surrounding sea and beyond. Likewise, the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park captures the imaginations of adults and children alike with birds, animals and lifelike animatronics dinosaurs too. It is all set in 28 acres of sub-tropical gardens and also includes museums, a train ride and much more.

Or for something a little unusual, ghost hunters are well catered for at Chambercombe Manor which is rumoured to be the most haunted building in the UK and dates back to the 11th Century.

Nearby you may want to explore the hilly moors of the Exmoor National Park, with plenty of cosy tea rooms and pubs to choose from for lunch. The town of Barnstaple is also close by and is rumoured to be the oldest borough in England with a bustling town square and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars.