DISCOVER ILFRACOMBE

Ilfracombe is a seaside resort on the north coast of Devon, England with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs. The town stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the East and 6km along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the West.

The resort is hilly and the highest point within the town boundary is at 'Hore Down Cross', 3km inland and 270m (860 ft) above sea level. A seasonal foot passenger ferry service runs from the harbour to Lundy Island and The Balmoral, The Waverley and pleasure boats ply to Porthcawl near Swansea.

The natural landmark of Hillsborough Hill dominates the harbour and is the site of an Iron Age Celtic fortress. The award-winning Landmark Theatre , is either loved or hated for its unusual double-conical design; it is distinctive and, with the St Nicholas's chapel on Lantern Hill, an internationally recognised feature in the town.


CULTURE OF ILFRACOMBE

Each year, the residents and school children of Ilfracombe celebrate their heritage by taking part in many activities. These include six carnivals - a 16th century May Day walking celebration; a Victorian week celebrating the time of the town's greatest prosperity; a large street carnival procession during August, organised by the Saint John's Ambulance service; the Lighting of the Lights held during November; and at Christmas, a Christingle.

A farmers market is held regularly in The Lantern community centre on the High Street. By the Landmark Theatre there is a small but beautiful museum, housed in the buildings of the laundry of the former Ilfracombe Hotel. For those of literary intent there is an Ilfracombe authors / writers group.


MUSIC IN ILFRACOMBE

The Aerial studio, situated near Mullacott on the approach toward Ilfracombe, provides recording facilities and practice rooms for local bands. The marching band Blazing Sounds (one of several in the town), came third at the year 2000 World Marching band championships in Calgary, Canada and 2nd the following year in Germany.


PERFORMING ARTS IN ILFRACOMBE

Ilfracombe College has its own theatre group (The Studio Theatre), who perform regularly throughout the year in The Landmark Theatre and other venues including the college.

Throughout the 1990s, the town was also host to the now defunct National Youth Arts Festival.


SHOPPING IN ILFRACOMBE

Despite the arrival and development of several supermarket stores by large retailers such as Tesco and the Co-operative Retail Society, the High Street still thrives.

The usual national chains like Lloyds Chemist, Somerfield Stores and Superdrug are present, but Ilfracombe has fortunately retained many local businesses, maintaining its traditional Victorian character.

These businesses, such as Pedlers (a tailor) and Venners (a bakery), have been passed down through generations; whilst others, such as Turtons Butcher and Delicatessen, and the Chocolate Museum, are developing well-deserved regional reputations.


LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS IN ILFRACOMBE

Ilfracombe Museum was opened in 1932 in Ilfracombe Hotel's Victorian laundry and contains attractions from around the world including pickled bats and the two-headed kitten. It also contains many other items and photographs of local railway interest including one of the concrete name boards from the now closed Ilfracombe railway station, which can be seen on the front wall of the Museum.

Ilfracombe also has a library located on the residential candar retirement development.


HISTORY OF ILFRACOMBE

Ilfracombe has been settled since the Iron Age, when the Dumnonii Celts established a hill fort on the dominant hill, Hillsborough (formerly Hele's barrow). The town's name is a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Alfreinscoma - by which name it was noted in the Exon or Exeter Domesday Book of 1086. The translation of this name (from Walter William Skeat of the department of Anglo Saxon at Cambridge University) means the "Valley of the sons of Alfred".

The manor house at Chambercombe in east Ilfracombe, was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as being built by a Norman knight Champernon (from Chambernon in France) who landed with William of Normandy. It is also said to be haunted.

Ilfracombe was two distinct communities; a farming community around the parish church called Holy Trinity, parts of which date from the 12th century, and a fishing community around the natural harbour formed between Capstone, Compass and Lantern Torrs. It is recorded the lands by the church were part of the estate owned by Champernowne family those by the harbour to the Bouchiers, Earls of Bath.

Ilfracombe was a significant port on the Bristol Channel. In 1208 it was first listed as having provided King John with ships and men to invade Ireland; in 1247 it supplied a ship to the fleet that was sent to conquer the Western Isles of Scotland; ships were sent to support the siege of Calais, and it was the disembarkation point for two large forces sent to subdue the Irish.

The building which sits on Lantern Hill by the harbour, known as St Nicholas's Chapel (built 1361) is reputed to be the oldest working lighthouse in the UK; a light/beacon has been there for over 650 years

In 1911, the Irish nationalist Anna Catherine Parnell (sister of Charles Stewart Parnell) drowned at Ilfracombe.

The song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, it is claimed, was written by Jane Taylor whilst staying in the town in very early 19th century at Clyffe House.

The actor Peter Sellers first set foot on stage here, and the Collins sisters (Joan and Jackie) went to school in the town whilst evacuees from The Blitz.

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