Entertainment, Eating Out, Pubs, Places to Visit

Entertainment

The Landmark Theatre at the seafront has all manner of entertainment throughout the year, to include music, theatre, and films.  A small bar/cafe with views over sea.

The George and Dragon pub in Fore Street, built in 1360, is steeped in history.  You can get a meal and enjoy a pub quiz here.

The Grampus in Lee (about  4 miles) is well worth a visit and on Friday evenings they have acoustic nights.  It is always worth booking a table if you want a bite to eat.  There is a pretty garden and the surrounding area is very pretty and  worth exploring.

Eating Out

The Terrace Tapas, Fore Street.  A selection of tapas with a good value Early Bird menu.

Lunchtime Bites

There are numerous little tea rooms around the harbourside and up in the high street,

PUBS (just a few to get you started)

Ye Olde Thatch (top of the road).  Full of character, very old. Usually serves food, often very good for Sunday Lunch.

Ye Old Globe, Berrynarbor. Another characterful pub from 17th Century, just a few miles down the road.

The Grampus, Lee (4 miles). Small but characterful with lovely garden and walks.

The George and Dragon.  1360.

Some hotels have public bars.

Places to Visit

Tunnels Beaches.  at the seafront. Carved out of the rocks, seashell encrusted tunnels lead down to safe bathing beaches.

Ilfracombe Aquarium.  Small aquarium, see local sea life.

Ilfracombe Museum near Landmark Theatre.

Hele Corn Mill and Tea rooms. (0.5 miles).  You can look around the mill for a small fee. The tea room serves the most delicious split bun cream teas, Ralph thoroughly recommends them.

Woolacombe Beach (5 miles) miles of sandy beach and good surfing

Croyde and Saunton Sands (6 miles) miles of sandy beaches and sand dunes

Marwood  Hill Gardens and Tea rooms (7 miles).  Near Barnstaple. Charming gardens, not too big, but cut into the hillside. Some interesting specimen trees and wonderful hydrangeas.

Arlington Court (10 miles) You could  include a visit to Exmoor Zoo (12 miles). as they are close to each other.

Hunters Inn, Parracombe (10 miles).  Spectacular views of the coastline if you turn off the A399 above Combe Martin. North Devon shares the same dramatic and rugged  coastline as Poldark’s Cornwall.  Fantastic walks. Drop down into a magical ancient wooded valley,  the sides are carpeted in bluebells in the spring.   You can enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat and look out of the huge window over their gardens.  Even better when you have walked to Heddons Mouth and back along the footpath beside the Inn.  The Fox and Goose Inn at the other end of Parracombe serves food too. You can incorporate a visit to Lynton and Lynmouth too (see below).

Barnstaple (12 miles)with it’s pannier market is a popular destination for shoppers. Bideford  (22 miles) has a large covered shopping area, useful in inclement weather.

Lynton (16 miles) charming little hilltop village, visit Valley of  the rocks and Mother Meldrums tea rooms, walk through valley of the rocks down the hill and on to Lee Abbey.  The views are breathtaking.  Yet another tea room at the bottom of the hill.

Lynmouth (17 miles). Famous sea front village.  Take a walk up the picturesque Exe valley to Watersmeet, where the National Trust have a tea room and shop.

RHS Rosemoor, near Torrington (24.7 miles) The RHS flagship garden.  Fantastic gardens, tearoom, cafe, shaded parking.

Hartland Abbey, tea rooms and Gardens.(26 miles)  A wonderful day out.  The Abbey has more to offer than it looks, and the gardens are lovely.  One of the Sense and Sensibilities was filmed here.  Hartland Quay is a must if you have got this far too.  The pub there serves fantastic sunday lunches. The geological rock formation is fascinating.

Docton Mill.  Charming gardens and tea room. Also at Hartland.

Clovelly.  (41 miles).  Run by the National Trust.  Popular destination.  Steep cobbled street can be difficult to walk on.  A landrover can transport you at cost.  Pricey.         Close to the Milkyway theme park for children.