Hotels in Ilfracombe
8 handpicked places to stay
Ilfracombe's accommodation reflects its layered Victorian history and its position on one of North Devon's most dramatic stretches of coast. Grand seafront hotels built for the resort's Victorian heyday still occupy the best positions along Wilder Road and the promenade, many retaining period features while updating their interiors for modern guests. Elsewhere in town, the steep streets above the harbour are lined with guest houses and B&Bs occupying tall Victorian townhouses, several run by owners who have restored the original features while adding contemporary touches.
Beyond the town centre, the surrounding countryside towards Berrynarbor, Mortehoe and Trimstone holds a smaller number of country house hotels set in extensive grounds, offering a quieter alternative for those happy to drive the short distance into Ilfracombe itself or explore the wider coastline. These properties tend to suit longer stays, with leisure facilities, gardens and space that the town centre cannot match, while still keeping the harbour, beaches and coast path within easy reach.
Across all categories, sea views and proximity to the South West Coast Path are recurring draws, and many properties are geared towards walkers arriving on the coast path itself. The eight properties below span this range, from clifftop hotels with spa facilities and Michelin Guide recognition, through mid-range seafront and townhouse hotels well suited to families and short breaks, to smaller B&Bs and guest houses offering a more personal welcome, several of them adults-only retreats favoured by couples visiting for walking or a quiet weekend away.
Sandy Cove Hotel
Hotel · Berrynarbor, clifftop above Combe Martin Bay
A clifftop spa hotel with private beach access and an AA Rosette restaurant, perched above Combe Martin Bay between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin.
Trimstone Manor Country House Hotel
Hotel · Trimstone, countryside between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe
A seventeenth-century manor house set in forty-four acres of grounds between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe, with a pool, gardens and a small animal sanctuary.
Norbury House
B&B · Torrs Park, hilltop above Ilfracombe town
A restored Victorian townhouse turned boutique B&B on a hilltop above Ilfracombe, with a cocktail bar and panoramic views over the town and sea.
The Dilkhusa Grand Hotel by Compass Hospitality
Hotel · Central Ilfracombe, near the harbour and Landmark Theatre
The largest hotel in Ilfracombe, a long-established seaside property in the town centre with 98 rooms, a restaurant, bar and regular live entertainment.
The Carlton Hotel Ilfracombe
Hotel · Runnacleave Road, near Tunnels Beaches
A converted Victorian hotel a short walk from Tunnels Beaches and the harbour, with a modern brasserie, bar and a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award.
The Collingdale Guest House
Guest House · On the coast path, overlooking Ilfracombe harbour
An award-winning adults-only guest house on the South West Coast Path, with harbour views and a locally sourced breakfast menu.
Two Ways Guest House
Guest House · St Brannock's Road, above the town centre
A family-run guest house on St Brannock's Road, a short walk from Ilfracombe's harbour and shops, offering straightforward, well-kept B&B rooms.
High Ways House
Guest House · St Brannock's Road area, above Ilfracombe harbour
A small, family-run guest house above Ilfracombe town, popular with returning guests for its personal welcome and cooked breakfasts.
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