This weekend I managed to find a gap in the horrible weather we've been having, and went to Ilfracombe for a few hours. Ilfracombe is a seaside resort on the North Devon coast, close to Exmoor, and about 12 miles from Barnstaple.
It's an interesting place, and certainly a place of two halves. It suffers from the same problems as a lot of English seaside towns, being run down in places, with deprivation and unemployment. On a positive not, its location is spectacular, occupying the hillside on the North Devon coast, with numerous bays, inlets and a great fishing harbour.
The latest addition is Verity, a sculpture by the artist Damian Hirst, which towers above the entrance to the harbour. At 20 metres tall, Verity depicts a pregnant woman holding aloft a sword while carrying the scales of justice and standing on a pile of law books. It's a fascinating addition to the landscape.
There's plenty of walking opportunities locally, with some beautiful views from the Chapel of Saint Nicholas, which stands above the harbour. If you're then eager for more you can climb Capstone Hill. This sits high up above the sea and gives you glorious views stretching as far north as Exmoor. Looking south you can see across the sea to the island of Lundy, something pretty high up my Devon bucket list, and somewhere I hope to visit soon!
I hope to return pretty soon, one of Ilfracombe's biggest attractions is the Tunnels Beaches, a part of the coastline accessible from tunnels cut through the cliffs, which I hope to visit soon, as well as taking a walk further along the cliffs on the south side of the town. Until then, I hope you enjoy these photos...
