The Old Eclectick, Ilfracombe

30/08/2024

Just a few days since the Bowden Clan headed away from sunny Combe, and already I miss the sounds of life, love and laughter in ‘da house’!
Always a joy having Pauline, Stu, Ollie + Holly to stay - this year joined by the energetic young Luna, a sweet 11-month old cocker spaniel!
Thanks hugely for sharing these ever-so happy holiday snaps! Looking forward to The Bowden Clan’s 5th return to their family seaside home-from-home!

Visit Ilfracombe Dog friendly holiday cottages UK Lynbay Fish & Chip Shop Take Thyme Fish Restaurant KiKi Barista Café

13/08/2024

Room with a view, anyone? 😎
A stunning sunrise this morning – taken from YOUR private terrace. Certainly worth early doors the night before!

With the promise of an Indian Summer (🙏), September is already getting busy, but there’s still availability, and October (MY fav month of the year) is still wide open with my lowest ever weekend rates at £65 a head!
As ever, direct bookings get 20% discount on that – so get in touch soon!

Visit Ilfracombe Dog Friendly Holidays Lynbay Fish & Chip Shop Take Thyme Fish Restaurant KiKi Barista Café The Landmark Trust

14/07/2024

Happy days - happy summer stays! 😎🌞

Chuffed to bits to get such positive feedback – worthy of sharing! 🤩❤️
There’s still availability for creating new happy memories of summer ‘24 beside the seaside! 🌞⛱⛵️🍨
Direct bookings get a 20% discount – but best hurry while there’s still room at ‘The Inn’!

Visit Ilfracombe Limekiln Cafe Lynbay Fish & Chip Shop Take Thyme Fish Restaurant KiKi Barista Café Tunnels Beaches The Landmark Trust

13/06/2024

You know summer’s in full swing when you see the spectacular sight of the Waverley - the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer - nestling in Ilfracombe Harbour! 🚢🌞
If you’re quick, you can still get aboard this glorious, historic vessel until the end of June, although Ilfracombe’s own trusty MS Oldenburg sails to Lundy Island right up until late Oct!
For those who prefer taking in our stunning coastal vistas on terra firma, the Exmoor Coaster, a wonderful open-top double decker bus which operates throughout the summer, with regular routes through Ilfracombe to Minehead, Lynton and Lynmouth. Tickets start at a mere £2!
Enjoy our stunning coastline by land or sea this summer! The Old Eclectick is just a few minutes walk from the harbour – you can even see our sailing ships from your terrace! 😎
As ever, direct bookings get 20% discount and doggos stay for free!
Check out all the timetables here:
Waverley:https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bristol-Channel-2024-Timetable.pdf
MS Oldenburg: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/day-trips/
Exmoor Coaster: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus/services/exmoor-coaster

10/06/2024

Springing into life at the bottom of my street! Right now! ☺️🐦🌸🌼🐦‍⬛🐝🦋

08/06/2024

Buddy and Bailey had a grand ol’ time beside the seaside! 🐾🐾

Thanks hugely to doting parents/staff, Florrie & Andy for these oh-so-happy snaps! 😎

It’s always a joy hosting canine capers in da house – and get to see our furry friends lapping up the sun, sea and sands further afield!
I do hope you’re all able to return to your seaside suite later this summer! 🌞⛱

Summer ‘24 is heating up at The Old Eclectick but there’s still some dates free in July and I recently had cancellations for the first weekend of August, as well as the ever-popular Bank Holiday 23rd-27th Aug - best hurry before they’re snapped up tho’!
As ever, direct bookings get 20% discount and doggos stay for free!
Visit Ilfracombe

30/05/2024

The sun shone brightly, when Italy came to lfracombe! 🌞😎
Some happy snaps of the best of our seaside summer action enjoyed by my sister, her Italian hubby and his sister last week – worthy of sharing!!

Until now, given the uncertain weather, so far this year my guests seem to be keeping an eye on the sky before booking last minute! So there’s plenty of opportunity to nail your best dates ahead of time over the long, hot ( 🙏) summer ahead!
As ever, direct bookings get 20% discount off my listed rates and, of course, dogs stay for free! (subject to availability)

26/04/2024

Oh we do like to eat fresh seafood beside the seaside! 🦀🦞🐟

The seafood season is now in full swing – and nothing beats fresh fish and seafood straight off the boat, in full view of our stunning coast! 😋

Ilfracombe’s wide range of eateries are now bursting with fresh fishy flavours. Whether you fancy a crab or lobster sarnie, courtesy of local fishing fleet S&P Fish Shop right on the harbour; battered Hake, Cod or Haddock at the chippy or a fancy seafood sensation at Fore Street’s famous Take Thyme restaurant – now is the time and Ilfracombe is the plaice! 😎

In celebration of seafood summer ‘24, I’m offering a 25% discount on all direct bookings making reference to ‘Seaside Seafood’! (subject to availability). It doesn’t get batter than that! 🙃



Take Thyme Fish Restaurant S & P Fish Shop Visit Ilfracombe

26/03/2024

Talk about Spring into Action! 🌾⛱
Thanks hugely to Sarah and Rob (six-time returnees!), for these top shots of wee Willow out in the wilds of Exmoor! 💚
A real joy having you guys back in ‘da house’ – a first for Willow! Looking forward to her next visit for your record-breaking 7th, coastal geocaching adventures in The Wild West!

The season is now well under way, so book soon to secure the best of the spring and summer sunshine beside the seaside! 😎🌞
I’m offering 20% discount for direct bookings, subject to availability – and as ever, dogs stay for free! 🐾🐾

22/02/2024

Chuffed to bits to be featured in Visit Ilfracombe’s top pick of places to stay in our stunning seaside town! 😎
The season is already hotting up, so message me soon to avoid disappointment! As ever, direct bookings get a 20% discount – and, of course doggos stay for free!

Visit Ilfracombe The South West Coast Path

17/01/2024

An utterly sparkling, brrrright winter's day- happy snaps of this morning's saunter past worthy of sharing!

There's no better place to blow the Jan/Feb blues away! 😎

Bargain winter weekend/short stay breaks on offer until 4th March!

24/12/2023

Wishing all my merry guests a Happy Christmas and a healthy, peaceful New Year!

Thanks for all the canine-caper-packed memories in ‘23 – looking forward to hosting many more in ‘24! 🐾🐾
In response to the mild winter forecast (🙏) I’m staying open in January, as are many of our local eateries!
So blow away those January blues with a Wild Western weekend! 😎
I’m offering winter short break rates of £78 per night (for two peeps) for direct bookings 5th Jan to 4th March (subject to availability)
As ever furry friends stay for free!



Festive feathered fiend artfully captured by our own talented photographer + artist
https://www.facebook.com/combebird

15/12/2023

Winter walkies in the Wild, and happily deserted, West!
If your experience of Woolacombe is struggling to park and even find a body space on the beach, then get away to our winter sun and enjoy 10k of empty golden sands all to yourselves!

My cosy, Christmassy cottage is still available 18th-26th Dec for only for the second time in seven years! - and Jan is wide open!! Special winter weekend + short-break rates for direct bookings; as ever, furry friends stay for free!

18/11/2023

Last minute cancellation! There’s now room for Combe Christmas visitors! 🎄🥳🥂

Sadly, a long-standing booking has just had to cancel due to ill health, which means I’ve unexpectedly got availability 24-26 Nov for our Combe Christmas loony ‘lighting of the lights’ weekend!
If you’ve not witnessed it before, then the Combe Christmas experience is a MUST SEE! 🤪
Our High St is packed with locally sourced food & drink stalls (mmmmm mulled cider anyone?!), live music, bonkers costumes, Santa’s sleigh (elves a-plenty!) etc., and of course, the big hiatus when the Christmas street lights are set ablaze!

Given the short notice, I’m happy to offer accommodation at £50 per person per night! We’re close enough to all the action, but far enough to guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep!
Happy snap is of 2019’s crazy Combe Christmas revelry!

02/11/2023

Love Ilfracombe? Refresh those memories of our beautiful town + crazy coastline with our locally created 2024 calendar!
https://www.lovecombe.com/2024-calendar
All proceeds go to local causes to improve + enhance our town and surrounds – best pre-order as soon as poss!

Of course, you can always take in the stunning scenery on your next stay at The Old Eclectick! 😎 (And one of these beauties will be adorning the wall in my guest quarters!)
Love Combe

We've selected the best photos from a number of top local photographers who have kindly donated their time and images. We need 30 pre-orders to be able to fund the initial print run so your pledge will go a long way to raising money for this worth cause. The perfect for those who want to remember th...

27/10/2023

Stunning scenes of past Novembers in and around our beautiful, moors and crazy coastline! 💚😎
Special cosy winter weekend getaway rates now available Nov-Jan – just £55 per person per night for direct bookings, subject to availability! Pm me!!

15/10/2023

Flying the face of tricky times, THREE shiny new eateries have recently opened on and around our sparkling seafronts! 😎
Already a ‘book well in advance’ fav with locals & visitors, The Lime Kiln Cafe & Bar is beautifully located within Ilfracombe’s new Water Sport Centre in the idyllic Larkstone bay with stunning views across to ’s Verity and The Harbour
The mouth-watering menu is all sustainably sourced from local produce and businesses – I should know, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed breakfast (twice!) and recently lunched on a delicious bowl of mussels, top chips and local cider!
https://www.thelimekilncafe.co.uk
Canine companions welcomed!


Newly opened this summer right on the Harbour Quayside, Life Cafe is a real haven of home-baked goodies (toasties, cakes, pastries, savouries + heavenly coffee, shakes etc), all sustainably sourced!
The perfect place to peacefully enjoy watching Harbour life – also dog-friendly!
https://www.lifecafesandresorts.com/ilfracombe


Sax on the Beach just opened on our main seafront promenade last week!
Live music, cocktails and a crowd-pleasing, sharing platter menu are now being served!
Watch this space for news + reviews – and check them out on FB https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551804833109


All the while, Ilfracombe still boasts some of the best fine and casual dining on the North Devon Coast! Check out our visitor centre listings: https://www.visitilfracombe.co.uk/eat-drink/
So many eateries are now open all year round with festive menus and events for Christmas & NYE!
There’s still room at my inn for Halloween and Christmas, although NYE is fully booked – message me for discounted direct booking rates and availability!

17/09/2023

Well, that’s a wrap on summer ‘23 beside the sea! 😎
Grateful thanks to doting parents and staff of my canine guests for the happy snaps – along with some stunning views from the terrace and our crazy coastline!
The year’s not over yet, tho’ – some of my fav walkies weather is still ahead of us (with my recs of the best fire-side pub stops along the way! 😁)
I’m offering direct bookings a 20% discount until the end of the year, so message me for availability & rates – winter weekends from as little as £55 per person, per night!! 🙃

04/06/2023

- and Maxx, Jess + Pip in action!! 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
(can't post vids, or more than one vid, with pics for some reason 🤔)

04/06/2023

Thanks HUGELY to Sue and Dave for these fabulous spring ‘23 seaside happy snaps! Always love seeing the Britt Gang’s coastal canine capers! 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Congrats on finally scaling Great Hangman 👏👏 – at 1,043 ft/ 318m; not for the faint hearted!!

15/04/2023

Who needs an Easter bunny when you’ve got an Easter Bonny!

Thanks to doting parents Clare and her hubby for these top shots of the gorgeous Bonny enjoying her Easter hols beside the seaside! - and an awesome pic of sunrise from the terrace 😎

Whilst the new Season is hotting up, there’s still plenty of availability in May, June and early July, so do drop me a message for availability + costs – all direct bookings get 15% discount off my listed price, and 2+ time returnees, 20%!

Looking forward to reporting on 2023’s summer shenanigans beside the sea!

01/03/2023

I hope everyone has survived the ‘winter from hell’ as unscathed as possible?!
I bring good news! - My New! Improved! en suite shower room is 99.9% finished! (Just adding a ‘wash bag shelf’ + shower grab rail this week).
Breaking my wrist in Jan has set me back almost 6 weeks, so I’m only reopening from Monday 13th March, but happily I’ve already got a number of my treasured returnees booked in as well as a smattering of new bookings across the summer.
Despite the energy crisis, I’m keeping my rates the same as last year – just asking for contributions towards energy use above basic heat etc, which is included. As ever, direct bookings get 15% discount off the listed price.
In other good news – The Old Eclectick has received a Traveller Review Award 2023 from Booking.com!
The promise of spring is already creeping over the window sill beside our stunning seaside, so if you fancy a rejuvenating seaside getaway, drop me a message!

23/12/2022

Wishing all my merry guests (two legs + four!) A happy Christmas and a healthy & peaceful New Year!
I'm closed now until Thurs 10th Feb - very much looking forward to opening the doors of the New! even more Improved! Old Eclectick in '23!

23/11/2022

Well that’s a wrap on another busy, blissful season beside the seaside!
I’m closing from this weekend (26th Nov) to totally refurbish the en suite shower room, ready to welcome my Xmas guests.
I still have availability over NYE (27th Dec-2nd Jan), then close again to tart the whole place up during January; re-opening w/c 6th Feb.
Ilfracombe is such a lively, vibrant place over New Year 🥳 – loads of top eateries serving celebratory menus; fireworks over the harbour, not to mention the glorious coastal walks (with welcomed top pubs en route!). So do message me to get rates + availability details. (15% discount for direct bookings and 20% discount for my treasured returnees!)
Re the Energy Crisis: I’m not hiking my rates as I think my guests should be able to choose how much heating etc they might need – standard rate includes warm + comfy basics; over and above is all available on request, charged at my smart meter unit rate.



Here’s some of my own and my guests happy snaps from another glorious season in Ilfracombe 2022! 😎🥰

26/08/2022

Thank you for the blissful pictures, Caroline; particularly of Connor, your most beautiful boy.
I was so pleased to be able to offer you both such a peaceful time together, away from it all.
Your seaside retreat awaits your return…🥰🐾🐾

11/07/2022

Time for a quickie canine catch-up!
Been a real joy having Patch and Albie in ‘da house’, at the beach and up the hills! 🐾🐾🐾🐾
Thanks to doting parents, Vanessa & James (Patch) and Rebecca & Matthew (Albie) for sharing these oh-so happy snaps!

Last call for bookings for first weekend in September – 1st-5th still available, but not for long! Do get in touch asap – all direct bookings get a 20% discount on my listed rates!

Summer '22 ain't over, ‘til it’s over!! 😎

09/05/2022

The Old Eclectick is strangely quiet for the time of year 🤔

A real pity, as ‘Combe’ is at it’s blooming beautiful best and the weather’s been glorious! - forecast is for 22°C around 17th May!

As I’d soooo much rather know there’s happy holidaymakers and canine capers in ‘da house’, I’ve decided to offer a 25% discount for these dates in May + June…
16th-22nd May, 6th-10th June and 16th-22nd June

I’ll need to apply the discount to the booking systems by Weds, so do let me know soonest if you fancy a bargain seaside spring getaway! 😎

(Pic of a stunning sunset at Combe Martin harbour last week, worthy of sharing!)

20/04/2022

It’s turning out to be a canine-packed spring in crazy Combe!
Such a joy having wee Ned, the sweetest Border Terrier and Bertie, my very first Japanese Spitz in da house!
Thanks to (respective) doting parents, Tim Hitchman and Suzanne Morris for bringing these two bundles of fun along, who clearly relished their seaside adventures!

14/04/2022

Talking of treasured returnees... the wonderful 'Britt Pack' just sent me these ever-so happy snaps of their canines' capers from last week!
A joy having Maxx, Jess and young Pip in da house! Glad you had such sparkling weather - looking forward to welcoming you all back home in October!

25/03/2022

Meet Jasper, the bonny wee Border puppy on his very first seaside holiday!
Thanks for the FABulous happy snaps, Laura and CJ - a real pleasure having you all in 'da house'! 💚

Let the season of canine capers begin! 🐾🐾😎