About The Area

All about the beaches, places to visit and more!

Avoncourt Lodge is situated on the West side of Ilfracombe, above the Tunnels Beaches and the Landmark Theatre. The picturesque and authentic fishing port of Ilfracombe is an interesting 10-minute walk down the hill and through the Museum gardens to reach the Promenade and town centre.

Things To Do

Interesting things to do include walking along Capstone Parade, cut in 1843 to allow the Victorians to stroll along the cliff paths, and visiting St Nicholas Chapel, the oldest lighthouse in England. The Victorians also constructed the Tunnels Beaches, less than 5 minutes away. Carved through the rock in the 1820s to allow access to the tidal bathing pools, the Tunnels still offer protected tidal bathing today, as well as fascinating rock pools and historical details of their construction. The Tunnels are also one of the foremost wedding venues in England, with glorious photo-ops and excellent food and service

The harbour itself is still a working fishing port, and has a charm and authenticity that only working ports retain. The Oldenburg still operates from here, taking visitors to the wildlife and nature reserves of Lundy Island – wise to book in advance if you are planning to make a visit, and truly a unique and fascinating experience. Sightseeing boats, kayaking and fishing tours are also available from the harbour – and a visit to Ilfracombe is incomplete without viewing Verity, the Damien Hirst masterpiece that has dominated the harbour entrance since 2012

Walking breaks in Ilfracombe

Many visitors to Ilfracombe use it as a base for exploring the northern end of the South West Coastal Pathway. With well-established trails from Lynton to Woolacombe, Ilfracombe is the perfect place from which to make trips both east and west along the stunning coastline. The Torrs Walk runs from Avoncourt Lodge to Lee (3 miles) and Woolacombe (9 miles) along the cliffs throughout, with outstanding views and challenging walking. The route to Combe Martin (6 miles) and on to Lynton (18 miles) runs through the town itself and then out onto the dramatic coastline the other side. Whichever way you choose, and whether you are a weekend stroller or an experienced trekkie, you are sure to appreciate the scenery and the wildlife of our walkways, and our Drying room and hot baths will give you a warm and relaxing welcome on your return.

Holidays for Cyclists in Ilfracombe

The cycle tracks are equally interesting and varied, with a network of trails running through Mortehoe and Woolacombe, Martinhoe and Patchoe and out to Barnstaple, Braunton and Barton Fleming. The Sustrans circuit and Tarka trails are both incorporated in local routes. For both the amateur and the serious cyclist, there are a wide variety of terrains and routes to suit every ability and distance. Avoncourt Lodge has a safe storage Drying room for cycles, as well as cleaning and drying smaller pieces of equipment

Large Groups Holiday Accommodation in Ilfracombe

If you are holidaying, walking or cycling as a group, contact Avoncourt directly to discuss packed lunch options and/or evening meals if you want an inclusive package.

We can put together some fun activities such as:

Fishing Breaks

Ilfracombe has some great fishing options, with expert fishing guides happy to take you on full and half day trips. Our abundant waters have pollock, cod, mackerel, and we can even arrange trips for bigger fish and shark, depending on the season. We work with www.reeldealcharters.uk if you want to contact them directly or see what is available.

Packages can include breakfast and packed lunches, and we can book evening meals in local restaurants or provide evening meals for larger groups. Package price is basically room rate plus fishing price, so for two people for two nights with a couple of hours fishing start at about £200.

We offer a group rate for 6 to 18 individuals for two nights including one day fishing and packed lunches. We can accommodate groups of up to 18, so please just call to discuss exact numbers and needs

Nature Walks Package - Coastal Walking Holidays Devon

We are surrounded by some of the most beautiful coastal walks in England, with degree of difficulty to suit all abilities. Whether you go south to Woolacombe, east to Coombe Martin or north to Exmoor, there are walks of stunning beauty and often great birdlife and wild flowers. Experienced guides will plan the routes for you, taking into account your individual needs, from a couple of mile stroll with restaurant break to a 15 mile walk with packed lunch. We work with Mary Breeds, a local ecological expert who has been guiding walks for 30 years.

Packages can include breakfast and packed lunches, and we can book evening meals in local restaurants or provide evening meals for larger groups. Package price is basically room rate plus walking guide price, so for two people start at £100 for a one day stay and a couple of hours walk.

We offer a group rate for 6 to 18 individuals for two nights including one full day or two half days walking and packed lunches. We can accommodate groups of up to 18, so please just call to discuss exact numbers and needs

Mindfulness Breaks in Devon

Sometimes a holiday is the perfect time to get in touch with your consciousness and understand how to deal with stress through positive mental awareness. We work with www.creativemindmatters.co.uk, a life coaching company with expertise in NLP, meditation, life coaching and CBT among others. One or two day sessions can be tailored around a two day break, helping you set out on the journey of mindful practise.

Package price is basically room rate plus mindfulness sessions, so a two day package for two people starts at £300.

We offer group rates for 6 to 18 individuals for two nights including two days of mindfulness seminar sessions with breakfast and lunch included. We can accommodate groups of up to 18, so please just call to discuss exact numbers and needs