During Victorian times bathing was getting more popular so it was decided to build six tunnels through the Ilfracombe hillside to get access to the Bristol Channel. Welsh miners created tunnels leading to the incredible coastline of North Devon that can be visited this day. The most impressive is that the shore of this area has not changed since the Victorian days. Therefore, if you are looking for an unspoiled landscape and a bit of interesting history, a visit to Ilfracombe Beach is a must.
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How to get to Ilfracombe Beach?
🚆 BY TRAIN & BUS
There is no train station in Ilfracombe, but you can take a train to a nearby town – Barnstaple. From Barnstaple Bus Station (located 12 minutes walk from the train station) you catch a bus to Ilfracombe. A bus ride from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe lasts about 45 minutes.
You can take 1-hour direct train from Exeter to Barnstaple. If you want to travel from Bristol, you will need to change train in Exeter to get to Barnstaple. It is the same for travelers from
🚗💨 BY CAR
📍 Jubilee Gardens Museum car park: Promenade, Ilfracombe EX34 9AL
This pay and display car park is located 5 minutes walk from Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe. It is also within a short walk to the Landmark Theatre, Wildersmouth Beach, and Capstone Hill.
📍 Promenade: Promenade, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ
At the bottom of the cliff, you will find more parking spaces that are also a part of Jubilee Gardens pay and display car park. Getting to the Tunnels Beaches from there should not take more than 10 minutes.
📍 Pier Car Park: 10A The Quay, Ilfracombe EX34 9EQ
If you want to also explore some other attractions in Ilfracombe, park at Ilfracombe Harbour Devon. The car park gets filled very quickly, but if you manage to find a spot, you will be a short walk from Chapel of St Nicholas and impressive bronze statue – Verity. Getting to the Tunnels Beaches from there take approximately 15 minutes.
Admission Fee & Opening Times at Ilfracombe Beach
You may be thinking, why would I have to pay to visit the beach? This private beach does not get any support from the local council. Therefore, to preserve this historic place, a small fee of a few pounds is required. Children under 3 years old can visit Tunnels Beach for free.
There is cashless payment only at Ilfracombe Beach, so make sure to bring a card or phone to pay for your ticket. If you want to explore other attractions in Ilfracombe, you are free to go outside Tunnels Beach and come back later as tickets are valid all day. However, with all facilities such as toilets, a beach shop, and a restaurant, you will not even need to leave the beach to spend fantastic day out with family.
Just keep in mind that Ilfracombe Beach is closed between November and Easter. Opening times vary depending on the time of the year, so if you want to enjoy Tunnels Beaches for the longest time, make sure to visit Ilfracombe between May and August. Don’t come too early in the morning as it opens at 10 am and closes at 6 pm during summertime. From Easter to May and between September to October, Tunnels Beaches are closed at 5 pm. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Are Dogs Allowed at Ilfracombe Beach?
Ilfracombe Beach is not a dog-friendly beach, however, dogs are allowed to enter tunnels. If you want to stop by with your dog and learn about Tunnels Beach’s history, there is a lot of information next to the tunnels. Just make sure to keep your dog on a lead and don’t go down to the beach.
Can you fly a drone at Ilfracombe Beach?
We have not seen any prohibitions regarding drone flying at Ilfracombe Beach. However, seagulls in North Devon are pretty large and will surely try to attack drones flying in their airspace. If you notice, a seagull approaching your drone, make sure to take it down quickly.
Victorian Bathing Pool – Tides at Ilfracombe Beach
The Ladies’ pool is the perfect place to visit with families that are looking for one of the best swimming spots in England. Just keep in mind that its depth varies and it reaches 8ft (almost 2,5m) at the deepest point.
If you want to see the beautiful Victorian bathing pool in Ilfracombe, it is visible three hours before low tide. Three hours before high tide it will be covered with water. The Bristol Channel is one of the top 5 places with the highest tidal ranges in the world. Therefore, you may experience a completely different landscape of Tunnels Beach, depending on the time of your visit.
The difference between high and low water at Ilfracombe can reach a few meters. This is most noticeable during spring tides which give the highest waters at Bristol Channel. However, during low tide, Ilfracombe Beach looks most stunning with many pointed rocks that surround North Devon coast.
Ladies Pool and Gentlemen’s Beach
In 1905, a common bath of men with women in the Ladies’ pool was allowed for the first time at Tunnels Beach. Only a few years earlier this type of swimming would be unacceptable. Currently, there are no restrictions on the use of a Ladies’ pool by men or on visiting the Gentlemen’s Beach by women.
To get to the Ladies’ Pool you will need to turn right once you reach the restaurant’s terrace. There is a tunnel hidden inside the green rocky hill. In turn, access to Gentlemen’s Beach is on the other side of the restaurant. However, don’t worry too much about these directions as someone in the ticket office will explain to you how to get to various areas at Tunnels Beaches.
Ilfracombe Beach Tunnels
In 1823, Welsh miners carved tunnels in Ilfracombe with a total length of more than 200 m. What is most fascinating is the fact that tunnels are hand carved. It took 2 years to complete this work and over 1000m³ of rocks have been removed. Currently, four out of six tunnels are open to the public, and exploring them is like getting back in time.
Sea Bathing History at Ilfracombe Beach
In the past, bathing was considered beneficial for health more than a pleasure. Tunnels Beach’s segregated bathing laws were likewise strictly enforced. Men trying to spy on ladies could get arrested. Bathing segregation lasted 82 years until 1905.
Tunnels Beaches Around the World
Getting to the beach through a tunnel is quite an unusual attraction. If you love traveling we highly recommend a few other tunnel beaches in Europe such as Sa Calobra in Mallorca or Aphrodite’s Rock in Cyprus. However, tunnels in Sa Calobra were built in 1950 (127 years later than in Ilfracombe). Therefore, there is no doubt that Ilfracombe is one of the oldest tunnel beaches in the world.
There is even a suspicion that a tunnel carved through a sandstone cliff in Otago, New Zealand was an inspiration taken from Ilfracombe. John Cargill, who was born in England, moved to New Zealand from Devon and directed the construction of tunnels. He wanted to have easy access to the beach from his home in New Zealand.
Things to do Near Ilfracombe Beach
Ilfracombe has one of the best beaches for rock pooling in the UK, however, this seaside resort has even more to offer. From the impressive sculpture of Verity to hillside walks, there is plenty to do in Ilfracombe.
Public Art: Verity
One of the most famous and richest artists in the UK – Damien Hirst created a beautiful piece of art that has been loaned to Ilfracombe for a long term. The 20.25m (66.43 feet) tall sculpture attracts visitors to Ilfracombe Harbour every year. It is one of the tallest statues in the UK that you cannot miss during your visit to North Devon.
Verity statue represents justice by holding the sword up in the air and scales in the other hand. Half of the sculpture reveals a skull and a baby inside the women’s body. It weighs 25 tonnes and it was fabricated in bronze at Pangolin Editions foundry. Verity was made of 40 separate sand castings and has a steel structure inside a 20 mm thick bronze surface.
Chapel of St Nicholas
Another great place to visit in Ilfracombe is the Chapel of St Nicholas overlooking the Harbour. It is not an ordinary chapel, but also still a working lighthouse, probably one of the oldest in the whole country. The Chapel of St Nicholas dates back to 1321, while the beginning date of using it as a lighthouse is unknown.
Where to stay in Ilfracombe?
Carlton Hotel
Carlton Hotel is set in a fantastic location of Ilfracombe – just within a short distance to the entrance of Tunnels Beaches. The pastel blue building near the Bath House has comfortable and cozy rooms. Moreover, Carlton Hotel has a gym that can help you to stay fit during your vacation. There is also free parking available and full English or continental breakfast included in the price. The Carlton Hotel is quite often booked far in advance due to its excellent location, so make your reservation as soon as possible before it sells out!
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