Devon History Tours

20/02/2024

Ilfracombe ladies stopped an invasion. This a great story.

Shared with permission from Ilfracombe past and present. Facebook group.

11/09/2023

Another Ilfracombe Seafront History Tour ready to get underway.

05/09/2023

Getting ready to meet my guests on Monday 4th for the Ilfracombe Seafront and Harbour History Tour.

I hold these tours every Monday 10am and 6 pm and Friday at 6pm. Bookings via TripAdvisor.

05/09/2023

I've just noted that it's been a very long time since I updated this page. It's been a very busy summer with all my tours being fully booked.

I will try to keep this page updated regularly from now on.

01/04/2023

Find out what's happening in Ilfracombe over the Easter break we are featured in this video so visit out website and book a tour.

This Monday 3rd April we are holding two charity History Tour Walks come and join us and help support our two chosen charities

Again tickets to these can be booked via our website @ www.devonhistorytours.com

https://fb.watch/jD-ZJnBRRm/

29/03/2023

Guided walks for two local charities in Ilfracombe.100% of the money raised will be donated.

The Lantern Community Pre-School
Ilfracombe Community transport
Please support them

Book your place at:
https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/book?og=76a87f11-b91a-4a4b-9b7f-79dc31d9f9f3&mode=a&uniqueId=11

Or you can donate by visiting www.devonhistorytours.com

21/03/2023

A quick trip down one of Ilfracombes oldest Streets Fore Street. Plenty of history down here

17/03/2023

Well the 1st one is finaly finished and went live today. This is a self-guided tour of Ilfracombes High Street finishing at the George & Dragon pub.

Here is a small sample of one of the stops. If you want to hear the full tour 12 stops in total you will need to download it.

I am currently making the next one which will cover Ilfracombes seafront and harbour area.

please share to other facebook groups, family and friends.

https://voicemap.me/tour/ilfracombe

27/02/2023

Pictures of the Torrs Ilfracombe visible from most of Ilfracombe, sometimes known as The Seven Hills.
The twisting and turning zig-zag walk to the top of the Ilfracombe Torrs was carved into the cliff face by the Victorians.

Want to know more about Ilfracombe's history? Join us on our walking tours @ www.devonhistorytours.com

25/02/2023

Ilfracombe was home to one of the most iconic hotels in the country.
The stunning Ilfracombe Hotel - which was built in the town's Victorian tourist heyday - was the town's first purpose-built luxury hotel.
the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 signalled the beginning of the end for the Ilfracombe.
By the 1920s, the Ilfracombe Hotel was more than 50 years old and badly needed refurbishment. Things never improved and in the autumn of 1976, bulldozers rumbled onto the site to commence their work."
Today the site hosts Runnymeade Gardens and, of course, the striking design of the Landmark Theatre.
If you want to learn more about this building join our tours @ www.devonhistorytours.com

23/02/2023

The day the women of Ilfracombe repulsed a French invasion with their petticoats.

If you want to learn more join us on our walking history tours www.devonhistorytours.com.

Credit to Ilfracombe museum for the use of the photo The drum and a fragment of the petticoat used can be seen there.

16/02/2023

Shipbuilding in Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe used to have its very own shipbuilding and repair yard. Part of the shipyard was set into the cove just above the end of the harbour wall. During construction of a ship a temporary wall was built to hold back the sea.
On completion the wall was removed to allow the ship to float on the next high tide. The ship was then taken to the yard to be finished.

Remember to like and follow this page or sign up for our newsletter by visiting our website. www.devonhistorytours.com

Credit to Ilfracombe museum for allowing the use of he photos.

13/02/2023

The Tidal Wave
Something that is not common knowledge is that in 1910 a huge wave (Tidal Wave) hit Ilfracombe. It was recorded at being over 20 feet high and it swept away almost everything that it came in contact with. Witness accounts that can be found online and at the Ilfracombe museum.
It was reported that a the wave swept over Capstone Parade and Ropery Meadow breaking upon the Promenade Shops with terrific force.

Lampposts from the Parade were snapped off like twigs from a tree, Seats and big blocks of masonry were carried upon the crest of the wave which swept over Ropery Meadow at a height estimated between 15 to 20 feet.
The wave left ruin and wreckage in its path and the wall of Ropery Meadow was completely destroyed. Several people narrowly escaped injury. Upon seeing the wave approach people turned and fled for their lives. A few were unable to reach safety and were knocked over others fell as they ran trying to get out of danger. It was remarkable that no one sustained serious injury or lost their lives.

Credit to Ilfracombe museum for allowing us to use the photos.

12/02/2023

We are pleased to announce our second local charity that we will be supporting in 2023.

Ilfracombe & District Community Transport Association
They are a charity which started in 1973 serving the communities around Ilfracombe, Lynton and Lynmouth and in Torridge. They help local people to lead more independent lives and improve their health and well-being by providing transport at affordable rates in easy-access and wheelchair compatible minibuses, assisted as needed by their dedicated drivers.

Please help and support both our charities buy joining us on our charity events or donating.

You can do any of the two by visiting our web page at www.devonhistorytours.com

11/02/2023

Out beta testing our self guided tour app. Few bugs to sort out but we are on track for a release in April 23.

Our first tour will take you on a historical/ghost journey of Ilfracombe High Street.

Want to keep updated on what we are doing sign up to our news letter at www.devonhistorytours.com

10/02/2023

We have our sign up in the Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre now we can be seen lol

09/02/2023

First Blog is now complete we have decided to answer some of the questions that are asked when searching for Ilfracombe online.
The intention is to release a Blog each month. Please like and follow our page to keep updated on when the Blogs are released.

What is Ilfracombe known for? Pt1

08/02/2023

THEN & NOW

As per yesterdays photo this is the front entrance to Rodney Lane.

The old & new overlay wow how much has changed since the old photo was taken in 1800.

This is the front of Rodney Lane, Ilfracombe which is at the bottom of Fore Street. The pub was then called the Admiral Rodney a tribute to the Navel officer Admiral Rodney who in his career managed to destroy both Spanish and French fleets. Many of his captured ships were sailed back to Ilfracombe harbour and the money raised went back into the town.

This pub was demolished in 1908 and the area is now the home of the RNLI.

The old pub sign can be seen at the

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on Facebook

Credit to Ilfracombe museum for allowing us to use the old photo

07/02/2023

THEN & NOW

The old & new overlay wow how much has changed since the old photo was taken in 1800.

This is the rear of Rodney Lane, Ilfracombe which is at the bottom of Fore Street. The pub was then called the Admiral Rodney a tribute to the Navel officer Admiral Rodney who in his career managed to destroy both Spanish and French fleets. Many of his captured ships were sailed back to Ilfracombe harbour and the money raised went back into the town.

This pub was demolished in 1908 and the area is now the home of the RNLI.

The old pub sign can be seen at the
Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on Facebook

Credit to Ilfracombe museum for allowing us to use the old photo

05/02/2023

Here is the Embassy Cinema 135 High Street Ilfracombe. Originally built as the New Christ Church of the Free Church of England built 1939. This is all that exists of the architecture.

www.devonhistorytours.com

#1939

02/02/2023

Devon History Tours is here what makes us stand out amongst the rest is that we provide high quality tours and customer satisfaction.

If you live or visiting North Devon book a guided tour with us.

www.devonghosttours.com

19/01/2023

The inside of the Pavilion sadly no longer with us.

want to learn more about Ilfracombe history then book onto our tour.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Devon/Ilfracombe-Harbour-History-and-Ghost-Walking-Tour/d28613-355176P1

17/01/2023

Wow Ilfracombe had some beautiful buildings and was a real Victorian hotspot. If you look closely you can still see some of the architecture visible.

join our tours for find our more
https://www.viator.com/tours/Devon/Ilfracombe-Harbour-History-and-Ghost-Walking-Tour/d28613-355176P1

16/01/2023

It used to be busy down by Ilfracombe harbour. Do you want to learn more, then book yourself on one of our tours?

https://www.viator.com/tours/Devon/Ilfracombe-Harbour-History-and-Ghost-Walking-Tour/d28613-355176P1

15/01/2023

Old Ilfracombe when we used to have a thriving ship building yard.

14/01/2023

Devon History Tours are pleased to announce the 1st of two local charities that we will be supporting in 2023. We will be doing a number of charity events during the year and all proceeds will be divided between our chosen charities please do help us in supporting them.

Lantern community pre-school is a small, long-established setting based at the back of The Lantern Center in Ilfracombe high street. They offer high quality childcare for families with children 2-5 years and have a small staff of 3.

They have an outdoor area that always needs some form of maintenance would like to create a sensory room in the upstairs of there playhouse and new indoor resources are always needed. Something we are happy to assist with

02/01/2023

Harbour and Seafront tours start in February. Book your place using the link below

https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?fca=1&fcg=6&mode=fc&og=76a87f11-b91a-4a4b-9b7f-79dc31d9f9f3

16/09/2022

Our website is now open. Here you can view and book onto our History only tours

History tours in the Victorian town of Ilfracombe. Guides history tours in different parts of the town

02/09/2020

https://www.facebook.com/DevonTours/videos/632453887680621

Watch the live tour here :)

02/09/2020

From us here at Devon Ghost Tours we want to say a big thank you for watching our tour. Judging by the comments you enjoyed it and would like to see more?

Sorry about the connection issues in some areas we cannot say what happened as the night before we did a dress rehearsal with a live feed and there were no issues? but that is technology for you.

We are looking into this issue to see how we can resolve it so that the next tours flow without problems.

Talking of tours, we have already started on the next one where we will cover Ilfracombe High Street, we will post the date soon. Please join us and share the link to family and friends.

Also please feel free to contact us with what tours you would like to see.

Yesterdays live tour has been uploaded here so if there are bits you missed you can re-watch less the connection issues.

Finally, if there are areas you feel we could improve please message us as we are new to this and are prepared to listen to constructive criticism were, we can learn from.

Once again thank you for watching us and we will look forward to seeing you again on our many more tours 😊