Enjoy A Trip To The Sea At Ilfracombe
A lovely spot along the Devon coast is Ilfracombe. This town has its own harbor that is surrounded by cliffs. There was once an Iron Age Celtic fort sitting above the harbor on Hillsborough Hill. There have been settlements since the Iron Age though they were separated into two different communities; one a farming community closely linked to the local parish and then a fishing community.
This protected harbor was able to provide shelter from the many storms that occurred over the Bristol Channel. This port was used for plenty of trade and was also the spot where soldiers left to fight the Irish in 1247. There are historic tunnels that were cut through the cliffs to allow for beach access, as previously you could only reach the beach by climbing or by taking a boat. These tunnels were hand cut and are a lot of fun to walk through.
Atop Lantern Hill you can find the oldest working lighthouse in the UK, called St Nicholas Chapel. This lighthouse has been working for more than 650 years. There is also some spectacular scenery to be seen as Ilfracombe is part of the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The coastline of Devon is known around the world for its dramatic cliffs.
A lot of the main industries were related to the sea though it developed into a holiday spot when the railway extended and ferries began across the channel. Eventually the town declined when it stopped being a tourist destination though since this time the light engineering has become a prominent industry.
The town likes to celebrate its heritage and there are many festivals and celebrations held throughout the year. If you are in town you should partake in the Victorian Celebration, Christingle at Christmas, weeklong festival in June, May Day walking celebration, in November there is the lighting of the lights and a carnival in August.
Unfortunately the town has had its share of disasters as there are many fires that destroyed significant sections of town. These fires occurred mainly because of the overcrowding of buildings that were erected in Victorian times. One of the most famous blazes required more than 20 fire trucks before it could be put out. This is why the town is lacking historical buildings.
There are a lot of activities to participate include water sports at the harbor, museums in town and even a Leisure center.
