Jump to content

Ilfracombe

Coordinates:51°12′29″N4°07′12″W/ 51.208°N 4.120°W/51.208; -4.120
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other places with the same name, seeIlfracombe (disambiguation).

Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe seen from Hillsborough, Devon
Ilfracombe seen fromHillsborough
Ilfracombe is located in Devon
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe
Location withinDevon
Population11,184 (2011 parish census)[1]
OS grid referenceSS516474
Civil parish
  • Ilfracombe
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townILFRACOMBE
Postcode districtEX34
Dialling code01271
PoliceDevon and Cornwall
FireDevon and Somerset
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
Websitewww.ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk
List of places
UK
England
Devon
51°12′29″N4°07′12″W/ 51.208°N 4.120°W/51.208; -4.120

Ilfracombe(/ˈɪlfrəkuːm/IL-frə-koom) is aseaside resortandcivil parishon theNorth Devoncoast,England,with a smallharboursurrounded bycliffs.

The parish stretches along the coast from the 'Coastguard Cottages' inHele Baytoward the east and 4 miles (6 km) alongthe TorrstoLee Baytoward the west. The resort is hilly and the highest point within the parish boundary is 'Hore Down Gate', 2 miles (3 km) inland and 860 feet (270 m) above sea level.

The landmark ofHillsboroughHill dominates the harbour and the site of anIron Agefortified settlement. In the built environment, the architectural-award-winningLandmark Theatrehas a distinctive double-conical design. The 13th century parish church,Holy Trinity,and the St Nicholas's Chapel (a lighthouse) on Lantern Hill, have been joined byDamien Hirst's statue ofVerityas points of interest.

History[edit]

Main article:History of Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe has been settled since theIron Age,when theDumnonii(the Roman name for the inhabitants of the South-West) established a hill fort on the dominant hill,Hillsborough(formerlyHele'sBarrow). The origin of the town's name has two possible sources. The first is that it is a derivative of theAnglo-SaxonAlfreinscoma- by which name it was noted in theLiber Exoniensisof 1086. The translation of this name (fromWalter William Skeatof the department ofAnglo SaxonatCambridge University) means the "Valley of the sons of Alfred". The second origin is that the name Ilfracombe was derived from Norseillf(bad), Anglo-Saxonyfel(evil ford) and Anglo-Saxoncumb(valley) perhaps from a Celtic source (compare Welshcwm), thus 'The valley with the bad ford'.[2][3]

The manor house atChambercombein east Ilfracombe was recorded in the 1086Domesday Bookas being built by a Norman knight Champernon (from Chambernon in France) who landed withWilliam of Normandy.It is also said to be haunted.[4]

Ilfracombe comprised two distinct communities; a farming community around theparish churchcalledHoly Trinity,parts of which date from the 12th century, and a fishing community around the naturalharbourformed between Capstone, Compass and Lantern Torrs. It is recorded that the lands by the church were part of the estate owned byChampernowne family,while those by the harbour belonged to the Bouchier family:Earls of Bath.

St. Nicholas's Chapel on Lantern Hill

Because of the natural layout of the harbour, Ilfracombe became a significant safe port (registered port of refuge) on theBristol Channel.It also had trade routes betweenKinsaleandTenby,which made the port stronger. In 1208 it was listed as having providedKing Johnwith ships and men to invadeIreland;in 1247 it supplied a ship to the fleet that was sent to conquer theWestern IslesofScotland;6 ships, with 79 men were sent to support the siege ofCalais.Ilfracombe was the last disembarkation point for two large forces sent to subdue theIrish.The building which sits on Lantern Hill by the harbour, known as St Nicholas's Chapel (built 1361) is reputed to be the oldest working lighthouse in the UK; a light/beacon has been there for over 650 years.[5]

The town was also home to the Bowen family.James Bowenwas sailing master ofHMSQueen Charlotte,the flagship ofRichard, Earl Howeat the 1794 "Glorious First of June"battle. James Bowen was commissioned by Howe for his leadership in the battle. He rose through the levels - commander ofHMSArgo,Dreadnought, and in Georgian England titled "defender of Madeira", led the fleet which rescued theBritish ArmyatCorunnain thePeninsular War.For his skill in saving the Peninsula army from Napoleon's forces, he was presented to a joint meeting of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament to receive the rare honour of record of "grateful thanks of the nation". He retired as a Rear Admiral and Commissioner of theRoyal Navy.Captain Richard Bowen(1761–97) James Bowen's younger brother, a commander onHMSTerpsichore,served underLord Nelsonand was killed at theBattle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797).John Bowen (1780–1827), son of Admiral James Bowen, was a naval officer and colonial administrator. He founded the first settlement ofTasmaniaat Risdon Cove in 1803 - the settlement that later became known asHobart.[6]Captain John Bowen married Queen Charlotte's niece.

Lieutenant A E Down was initially posted to Ilfracombe to lead a protection ship forHM Customs and Excise.He married a local girl and rose through the officers’ ranks to retire as Vice Admiral. His son joined the navy aged 14 (his first navy kit is on display atNational Maritime Museum, Greenwich). In 1802 James Meek married Down's daughter and settled in the town; James Meek was appointed the Comptroller of Victuals to the Royal Navy in 1832. He was knighted and died in Ilfracombe in 1852. (Gentlemen's Gazette)

There was a battlemented castle overlooking the harbor; of this nothing remains except contemporary records and the area designated Castle Hill off Portland Street/Montepellier Terrace.[7]

Photochromof Ilfracombe, 1890s

The novelistFrances Burneystayed in Ilfracombe in 1817. Her diary[8]entries (2 July – 5 October) record early 19th-century life in Ilfracombe: a captured Spanish ship; two ships in distress in a storm; the visit ofThomas Bowdler;and her lucky escape after being cut off by the tide. A few years later in the 1820s, a set of four tunnels were hand-carved byWelshminers to permit access to the beaches by horse-drawn carriage as well as on foot. Previously access was gained by climbing the cliffs, rounding the point by boat, swimming or at the lowest tides clambering around the rocks of the point. These tunnels led to a pair of tidal pools, which in accordance withVictorianmorals, were used for segregated male and female bathing. Whereas women were constrained to a strict dress code covering up the whole body, men generally swam naked. The tunnels are still viewable and are signposted as Tunnels Beaches.[citation needed]

Ilfracombe byFrancis Frith(1850s-1870s)

In 1856, writerMary Ann Evans(pen-nameGeorge Eliot) accompaniedGeorge Henry Lewesto Ilfracombe to gather materials for his workSeaside Studiespublished in 1858. ActorPeter Sellerslived in the town when his parents managed the Gaiety Theatre; he first stepped on the stage there and reputedly played the drums. Another actor,Terry Thomasvisited the town frequently to stay with his sister, and in the same period,Joan CollinsandJackie Collinswere schooled here and boarded in the town. In the last two decades, the town has been home to many artists including locallyDamien Hirst,andGeorge Shawa runner up for theTurner Prize.There is an annual art festival when local artists open their homes for visitors to see their work and 7 to 10 permanent art galleries. The town's firstlifeboatwas bought in 1828 but a permanent service was not available until theRoyal National Lifeboat Institutionbuilta lifeboat stationat the bottom of Lantern Hill near the pier in 1866. The present station at Broad Street dates from 1996.[9]

Torrs Walk, Ilfracombe byFrancis Frith(1850s-1870s)

In 1911, the Irish nationalistAnna Catherine Parnell(sister ofCharles Stewart Parnell) drowned at Ilfracombe and is buried in the churchyard atHoly Trinity.[10]

Alice Frances Louisa Phillips (b. 26 January 1891 at 85 High Street, Ilfracombe) and her father Escott Robert Phillips (b. 1869 Cardiff) held 2nd class ticket No. 2 on theTitanic,and set sail fromSouthamptonon 10 April 1912 heading forNew Brighton, Pennsylvania.Alice was rescued in boat 12, but her father was lost in the disaster.[11][12]

Governance[edit]

Ilfracombe Centre, 44 High Street: Town Council headquarters.

There are three tiers of local government covering Ilfracombe, atparish(town),districtandcountylevel: Ilfracombe Town Council,North Devon Council(based inBarnstaple) andDevon County Council(based inExeter). Ilfracombe Town Council is based at the Ilfracombe Centre at 44 High Street, which also serves as an area office for North Devon Council.[13][14]

Old Town Hall, 20 High Street,completed 1863.

Ilfracombe was anancient parish.It was also anancient boroughin the middle ages, but its borough status lapsed and it was subsequently run by its parishvestry,in the same way as most rural areas.[15]Urban forms of local government were re-established in 1851 when alocal boardwas created for the parish.[16][17]The local board built atown hall at 20 High Streetto serve as its headquarters, which was formally opened in 1863.[18][19]

Local boards were reconstituted asurban district councilsin 1894.[20]Ilfracombe Urban District Council was based at the town hall until 1931, when it converted the west wing of the Ilfracombe Hotel on Wilder Road to become its offices and meeting place and sold the town hall.[21][22]The urban district of Ilfracombe was abolished in 1974 under theLocal Government Act 1972,with the area merging with neighbouring districts to become the newNorth Devondistrict. Asuccessor parishwas created covering the former urban district, with its council taking the name Ilfracombe Town Council.[23]In 1997 the town council established a new headquarters at 44 High Street, which had been built in 1935 as the offices of the Ilfracombe Gas Company, naming it the Ilfracombe Centre.[24][25]

The town lies within the ParliamentaryconstituencyofNorth Devon.It hadLiberal Democratrepresentation from 1992 to 2015 with MPNick Harvey.[26]Since 2015 it has been aConservativeseat, first represented byPeter Heaton-Jonesfrom 2015 to 2019, and since 2019 bySelaine Saxby.

The town is alsotwinnedwithIfsinFrance.[27]

Geography[edit]

Aerial view of Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe overliesslatesformed fromsedimentary rockthat underwent geological stress (creatingfaultsand folds), towards the end of theCarboniferous Period,around 300 million years ago. These are known as theIlfracombe slates.Ilfracombe lies within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is renowned for its dramatic coastal cliffs and landscape. Hillsborough, lying close to the town centre is a local nature reserve, and around the town are many other havens for wildlife, notable includingthe Cairn.The coast itself is part of the North Devon Voluntary Marine Conservation area because of its diverse and rare species.[28]

The view from St. Nicholas's Chapel during a storm

Economy[edit]

The fortnightly Ilfracombe farmers' market

Until the mid-19th century Ilfracombe's economy was based around maritime activities: importinglimeandcoalfrom Wales; fishing for herring; and international trade, including toWest Africaand theWest Indies.InGeorge IIIand theRegencyperiod the town, population then 1800,[29]

The town gradually developed into a tourist resort served by ferries along theBristol Channel.The opening of the railway accelerated this development. The population grew until theFirst World War,then stabilised at 9,200, now 11,000. The economy suffered throughout the 1960s as UK holiday patterns changed, and suffered further through the closure of the railway line in 1970.[citation needed]

In the last 25 years, major investment byprivate'light engineering' companies has added to the economy. These companies include:Pall Europe- a filtration manufacturer,[30]the European headquarters TDK-Lambda, a subsidiary of theTDK Corporation,which manufactures industrial & medical power supplies.[31]A number of light engineering firms provide additional employment and operate within a couple of miles of the town centre atMullacott Cross.There are 3 deep-sea fishing boats which sail from the port and several inshore boats which farm the local lobster, crabs and whelks. There are many private charters, sea cruise and coastal tour boat operators sailing from the harbour.[citation needed]


Panoramic view of Ilfracombe seafront, winter night time.
Panoramic view of Ilfracombe seafront, summer day time.

Transport[edit]

Road[edit]

High Street, Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is at the southern end of theA361,the longest 3-digitA-roadin England which finishes on theA5atKilsbyon theNorthamptonshire-Warwickshireborder nearRugbyand is the town's main connection with theSouth West Englandmotorway, theM5.[citation needed]

Bus and railway[edit]

From 1874, Ilfracombe was served by theIlfracombe railway linethat ran fromBarnstaple,but this closed in 1970. Now, the nearestNational Railrailway station is inBarnstapleand buses provide the public transport link from there to Ilfracombe. There are a number of regular bus services operating from Ilfracombe. These include:[citation needed]

  • Stagecoach 21/21A: Ilfracombe - Braunton - Barnstaple - Fremington - Bideford - Westward Ho!
  • Taw & Torridge 31: Ilfracombe - Woolacombe - Morthoe
  • Filers Travel 301: Barnstaple - North Devon Hospital - Ilfracombe - Combe Martin

There are also several smaller routes around the town run by the local operator Independent Coach Company.

Ferry[edit]

Harbour

The first steam packets arrived at Ilfracombe in 1823, and soon a regular service betweenBristoland betweenSwanseadeveloped.[32] On 16 May 1873, a wooden promenade pier was opened to allow the pleasure steamers to berth at all tides. On 23 June 1894, it was reported in theIlfracombe Chroniclethat over 2,500 people arrived in no less than seven boats, it describes them as 'commodious and well-appointed vessels with an excellent reputation for speed and comfort.' As well as holidaymakers, the boats carried workers, live and dead stock and other merchandise to and from the town.[33][34]

ThePSWaverley(1885)arrived in Ilfracombe in 1887, after her ownersP & A Campbellbrought her toBristol,initially on a charter, as their first pleasure steamer to work theBristol Channel,and was based there until 1917. Deterioration of the wooden pier and part demolition during theSecond World Warmean that a new pier was required. The wood was replaced with reinforced concrete and car parking space was increased. The new pier was opened on 6 July 1952.[35]

A seasonal passengerferry,operated byMSOldenburg,connects the harbour toLundy Island.Pleasure boats, includingMVBalmoralandPSWaverley,operate seasonal cruises from Ilfracombe, including crossings toPorthcawl.However, due to rising fuel costs these services are under threat.[36] A catamaran-based ferry service from Ilfracombe toSwanseawas developed, however this service did not commence, reportedly because adequate landing and berthing facilities in Swansea have not been forthcoming.[37]

Education[edit]

The town's educational needs are served by three schools: an infants school, a junior school andthe Ilfracombe Academy.Each of these schools are amongst the largest of their type in Devon. The Ilfracombe Academy serves the needs of Ilfracombe residents and those across the coastalNorth Devonarea as far asLyntonandLynmouthon theSomersetcounty border. It is a nationally recognised centre for Media Studies and was in 2004 awarded Media Arts Status. Upon completion of a new art block in 2007, the school's specialist status became simply arts. Further educational courses and vocational courses are run by the school.[citation needed]

Ilfracombe Museum was opened in 1932 in Ilfracombe Hotel's Victorian laundry and contains attractions from around the world including pickled bats and the two-headed kitten.[38]It also contains items and photographs of local railway interest including one of the concrete name boards from the now closed localrailway station,which can be seen on the front wall of the museum; and a collection of pieces of Victorianwedding cakes.It also has oak panels salvaged from the wreck ofHMSMontagu.

Ilfracombe also has a library located on the Residential Candar Retirement Development.[39]

Landmarks[edit]

Ilfracombe has a wide variety of architectural styles dating from the 13th Century to 21st Century. The town has ancient streets leading to the harbour; on higher ground there areGeorgianandRegencyperiod terraces and mansions. The period from 1830 to 1900 was a time of great development and has been the subject of several books by J Bates thearchitecture of Ilfracombewhich gives the town aVictorianflavour visible in many buildings. The latest style of architecture can be seen in the award-winning design of theLandmark Theatre.[citation needed]

Religious sites[edit]

Holy Trinityis the town'sparish church

Ilfracombe hasChristianchurchesof various denominations. The main Anglican church is theparish church,Holy Trinity,which is the mother church to St Peter's on Highfield Road. Several other churches identify themselves asEvangelical,but differ in denominational background. These include: St Philip and St James Church whose background isAnglican;threefree churches- Brookdale Evangelical Church and Ilfracombe Christian Fellowship Church, of which the latter is the morecharismaticand Ilfracombe Baptist Church of theBaptisttradition on the High Street. There is also theRoman CatholicOur Lady Star of the Sea Church in Runnacleave Road, theMethodist/United ReformedEmmanuel Church on Wilder Road, andthe Salvation ArmyCorps church on Torrs Park, by Bath Place. There is aJehovah's Witnessmeeting place in Victoria Road.[citation needed]

Lighthouse[edit]

St. Nicholas's Chapel
Lantern Hill
St. Nicholas's Chapel
Map
LocationLantern Hill, Ilfracombe
OS gridSS5251247891
Coordinates51°12′40″N4°06′47″W/ 51.211135°N 4.113009°W/51.211135; -4.113009
Tower
Constructed1321(first)
Constructionstone chapel
Height11 metres (36 ft)
Markingswhite lantern on the top
Power sourcemains electricityEdit this on Wikidata
OperatorNorth Devon District Council[40]
HeritageGrade I listed
Light
First lit1819 (current)
Focal height39 metres (128 ft)
Range6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi)Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl G 2.5s.

Since at least the mid-17th century a light has been displayed from the 14th-century chapel atop Lantern Hill, to guide ships entering the harbour. The light remains operational, and is said to be Britain's oldest lighthouse. The current lantern was installed byTrinity Housein 1819;[40]the date is shown on a fish-shapedweather vane.[41]The light was owned and overseen by theLord of the Manorof Ilfracombe; in the mid-19th century it was gas-powered (it used three gas burners with silveredreflectors) and displayed a fixed red light.[42]

The light is presently operated by the harbour authority and theGrade I listedbuilding is owned by the North Devon Council. Regular worship in the chapel ceased at theReformation,and for a time the building served as a cottage for lighthouse keepers before falling into some dilapidation. It was restored in 1962, however, by the localRotary Club,under whose auspices the chapel is open to visitors in the summer months.[43]

Sports and leisure activities[edit]

Ilfracombe Rugby Union Club was founded in 1877 and welcomes players from 16 to 61.[44]

Ilfracombe Golf Club (located just beyondHele Bay)[45]was founded in 1892.[46]

The Ilfracombe cricket club play at Brimlands, a site shared with the town's rugby club.[47][48]

Ilfracombe Running Club was formed in 2013.[49]They meet atIlfracombe Town F.C.on Thursday evenings.[50]

Ilfracombe Town Football Club,who play at Marlborough Park nearThe Ilfracombe Academy,compete in the Premier Division of theWestern Football League.

Atennisclub is based at Bicclescombe Park[51]which contains six tennis courts.[52]

Maritime activities include a popular yacht club and a Gig boat club with three boats which now[when?]competes in the world championships.[citation needed]

TheSouth West Coast PathconnectingMineheadinSomersettoDorset,viaLand's End,passes through the town fromHele BaytoLee Bayvia Ilfracombe Harbour.[citation needed]

The first person to swim the 30½ nautical miles (56.5 km; 35.1 mi) from Ilfracombe to Swansea wasGethin Jones,who achieved the record on 13 September 2009, taking nearly 22 hours. In 2016 Sian Clement became the first female and achieved a new fastest crossing at 14 hours 1 minute.[53]

Development[edit]

The harbour

From 2001 there was an economic regeneration programme led by the Ilfracombe & District Community Alliance MCTI, acommunity interest companydesigned to encouragesocial entrepreneurship.After widespread community consultation this programme developed a community economic strategy for the next twenty years published in 2005. The town council working with and North Devon District Council is formulating plans for the town's economic and physical structures. Proposed developments are: the enhancement of the harbour area;[54]A large extension (500 dwellings) to the town on high ground to the south. There is long-term development of the derelict bus station site based on plans developed by Terence O'Rourke;[55]and the creation of better youth support and recreation facilities at the Larkstone eastern side of the harbour area.[citation needed]

Culture[edit]

The Landmark Theatre. Emmanuel Church is on the left and the parish church is in the background
Locals enjoying 'Victorian Week' at the farmers' market whilst dressed inVictorianattire

Each year, the residents and schoolchildren of Ilfracombe celebrate their heritage. These celebrations include six carnivals – aMay Day,led by a "green" man walking celebration, it is a successor to the May Day events held for centuries until suppressed by the church in the 19th century because of riotous, licentious and drunken behaviour; IlfracombeVictorianCelebration,[56]a week-long programme of events held annually in June to celebrate a time of the town's prosperity; a large streetcarnivalprocessionduring August, organised by Ilfracombe Lions; the "sea ilfracombe" festival in September and the Lighting of the Lights held during November; and atChristmas,aChristingle.[citation needed]

The town hosts 10 small art galleries, including the exhibitions displayed by the Art Society in their gallery in the Arcade on the seafront, the foyer of the Landmark Theatre, the Quay and in "Number Eleven, The Quay" within which there are manyDamien Hirstworks.[citation needed]

Two other charitable events are organised each summer by Ilfracombe Round Table.[57]Both make use of Ilfracombe Pier as a display area. The first of these is the annual "South West Birdman" contest which involves entrants seeking to 'fly' from the pier in home-made flying machines. The second event is "Rescue Day", an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the activities of the emergency services.[citation needed]

Performing arts[edit]

Small Pond Productions is the main theatrical group in Ilfracombe, since its inception in 2002.[citation needed]It produces musicals, concerts and plays throughout the year. In 2007 the group created and performed the first stage production of theVicar of Dibleyby arrangement withRichard Curtisand Tiger Aspect productions. Most recently[when?]they have produced large scale musicals at the town'sLandmark Theatre.[citation needed]

Other[edit]

During the early 1990s, the team of the popular English reality TV showChallenge Annekarelocated the redundant old wooden library from the Hermitage site, to "Burnside" in the heart of theSlade Valleyestate for use as a community-owned centre.[citation needed]

Ilfracombe's fires[edit]

The Great Fire of Ilfracombe started at 12:40 a.m. on the night of 28 July 1896 in the basement of Mr William Cole's ironmongers and furniture shop on the corner of Portland Street and Fore Street. The local volunteer fire brigade had it under control by the following morning. The fire brigade's entire equipment was a manual Merryweather engine, a hose-reel cart and one telescopic ladder on wheels. In total thirty five houses and business premises and their contents were destroyed. Later that year the fire brigade crew were presented with medals and £2 each at a dinner in their honour at the Royal Clarence Hotel. The damage was estimated at the times at between £80,000 and £100,000.[58]

The same area of the town was struck by fire twice during the 1980s. On 12 December 1981, Draper's paint store in the upper story of the building on the corner of Portland Street and Fore Street, this fire was contained quickly, however fumes from the burning paint meant much of the local area was evacuated during the night. The second much larger fire started at 2:30 am on the night of 2 September 1983 in the shopping arcade under the Candar Hotel. In this fire one life was lost. The Candar Arcade site became the Candar sheltered residential apartments (the opening of Candar apartments was the last public engagement performed byCharlesandDiana,as the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1992.[59]

Shortly before 7:00 BST on Wednesday, 8 August 2006, a fire broke out at the derelict Montebello Hotel in Fore Street, Ilfracombe. Twentyfire engineswere required to put out the blaze including a number rushed to the scene fromWoolacombe,Barnstapleand the bordering county ofSomerset.Specialist equipment was brought in from as far afield asExeter.The fire spread to three neighbouring properties and showered debris over a wide area. The six-storey hotel was completely gutted, with only the front wall, chimney stacks and remains of the lift shaft frame surviving the blaze, and the fire was still being damped-down the following day. Fore Street was closed for some period due to the difficulties of demolition.[60]The building was eventually demolished when it was determined that the fire had left it structurally unsound.[61]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Ilfracombe (Devon)".City population.Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2015.Retrieved21 February2015.
  2. ^Bowring (1931).Ilfracombe.p. 16.
  3. ^Ilfracombe Official guide.1935. p. 1.
  4. ^The Legend of Chambercombe ManorArchived1 October 2010 at theWayback Machine
  5. ^Hoskins W.G(1954).Devon.Phillimore & Co Ltd.ISBN1-86077-270-6.
  6. ^Bowen's HobartArchived13 October 2009 at theWayback Machine:The Beginnings of European Settlement in Tasmania
  7. ^"Middle Ages in Hele Bay, Ilfracombe, north Devon".johnhmoore.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 15 July 2024.Retrieved15 July2024.
  8. ^Burney, Frances(1840).The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay, ed. Charlotte Barrett.Bickers and son. pp. Vol. 4, pp. 393–421.
  9. ^Leach, Nicholas (2009).Devon's Lifeboat Heritage.Chacewater: Twelveheads Press. pp. 46–48.ISBN978-0-906294-72-7.
  10. ^Boylan, Henry (1998).A dictionary of Irish biography(3. ed.). Dublin: Gill & Macmillan.ISBN0717125076.
  11. ^"Enclycopedia Titanica".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2010.Retrieved21 July2011.
  12. ^"Enclycopedia Titanica".Archivedfrom the original on 1 September 2011.Retrieved21 July2011.
  13. ^"Ilfracombe Town Council".Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.
  14. ^"Contact our Customer Services Team".North Devon Council.Archivedfrom the original on 23 June 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.
  15. ^"Ilfracombe Ancient Parish".A Vision of Britain through Time.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.
  16. ^"Friday, June 6, 1851".The London Gazette.21216:1471–1481. 6 June 1851.
  17. ^Kelly's Directory of Devon and Cornwall.London. 1914. p. 352.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  18. ^Historic England."Number 20 and the Old Town Hall, 20 High Street (Grade II) (1293104)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved5 August2023.
  19. ^"The opening of the new Town Hall".North Devon Journal.Barnstaple. 25 June 1863. p. 8.Archivedfrom the original on 22 September 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.
  20. ^"Local Government Act 1894",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,1894 c. 73,retrieved5 August2023
  21. ^"The Ilfracombe Hotel".Devon Heritage.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.
  22. ^"Ilfracombe Town Hall sold".Devon and Exeter Gazette.17 July 1931. p. 16.Archivedfrom the original on 22 September 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.
  23. ^"The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,SI 1973/1110,retrieved5 August2023
  24. ^Historic England."44 High Street (Grade II) (1380020)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved5 August2023.
  25. ^"Planning application 23116".North Devon Council.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2023.Retrieved5 August2023.Conversion of shop to form community use offices at 44 High Street, Ilfracombe, granted 31 January 1997
  26. ^"nickharveymp.com - nickharveymp Resources and Information".nickharveymp.com.Archived fromthe originalon 21 December 2014.Retrieved2 February2015.
  27. ^Ingram, Neil."Ilfracombe Twinning Association -".Archivedfrom the original on 15 July 2024.Retrieved15 July2024.
  28. ^"Ilfracombe – North Devon Coast".North Devon Coast National Landscape.Archivedfrom the original on 15 July 2024.Retrieved15 July2024.
  29. ^1801 UK census
  30. ^"Pall Ilfracombe".Archivedfrom the original on 25 October 2020.Retrieved28 May2021.
  31. ^"About TDK-Lambda UK".Archivedfrom the original on 18 October 2020.Retrieved16 October2020.
  32. ^Images of England - Ilfracombe.Tempus. 2003. p. 23.ISBN0-7524-2538-2.
  33. ^Images of England - Ilfracombe.Tempus. 2003. p. 25.ISBN0-7524-2538-2.
  34. ^"Pocketts' Bristol Channel Steam Packet Company".Swansea Docks.Archivedfrom the original on 26 September 2011.Retrieved21 July2011.
  35. ^Images of England - Ilfracombe.Tempus. 2003. p. 28.ISBN0-7524-2538-2.
  36. ^Clark, Rhodri (27 June 2011)."All at sea? Future of steamer cruises from Welsh ports at serious risk".Western Mail.Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2012.Retrieved21 July2011.
  37. ^"Severn Link - Latest News Update".Severn Link. 13 April 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 29 June 2011.Retrieved21 July2011.
  38. ^Ilfracombe MuseumArchived8 March 2005 at theWayback Machineat"Devon Museums - Details of museums across Devon - Collections, Exhibits and Events".Archivedfrom the original on 13 August 2006.Retrieved22 August2006.
  39. ^"Ilfracombe Library".Devon.gov.uk. 6 November 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 20 February 2009.Retrieved20 February2009.
  40. ^abRowlett, Russ."Lighthouses of Southwest England (Devon and Cornwall)".The Lighthouse Directory.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  41. ^"St Nicholas' Chapel and Lighthouse".British Listed Buildings.Archivedfrom the original on 30 May 2019.Retrieved30 May2019.
  42. ^"Lighthouse management: the report of the Royal Commissioners on Lights, Buoys, and Beacons, 1861, examined and refuted Vol. 2".1861. p. 369.
  43. ^"Visit Ilfracombe".Archived fromthe originalon 29 April 2015.Retrieved28 December2014.
  44. ^"Ilfracombe Rugby Union Club".Archivedfrom the original on 12 March 2012.Retrieved10 September2010.
  45. ^"Ilfracombe Golf Club".Golf in Devon.Retrieved29 June2024.
  46. ^"Ilfracombe Golf Club Video Gallery".Ilfracombe Golf Club.Retrieved29 June2024.
  47. ^"Club Finder: Ilfracombe".Devon Cricket.Retrieved29 June2024.
  48. ^"Northern Devon Playing Pitch Strategy - PART 2: CRICKET, RUGBY, HOCKEY AND BOWLS"(PDF).North Devon District Council.August 2017.Retrieved29 June2024.
  49. ^"Homepage".Ilfracombe Running Club.Retrieved29 June2024.
  50. ^"Our Club".Ilfracombe Running Club.Retrieved29 June2024.
  51. ^"Ilfracombe Tennis Club".National Health Service.Retrieved29 June2024.
  52. ^"Ilfracombe Lawn Tennis Club".Lawn Tennis Association.Retrieved29 June2024.
  53. ^"Sian Clement".marathonswimmers.org.Archivedfrom the original on 2 March 2019.Retrieved1 March2019.
  54. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 31 July 2009.Retrieved12 December2014.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  55. ^"Home - Ilfracombe Town Council"(PDF).theilfracombecentre.co.uk.Archived(PDF)from the original on 30 August 2011.
  56. ^"Welcome to Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration".Archived fromthe originalon 3 July 2014.Retrieved2 July2014.
  57. ^"Ilfracombe Roundtable".www.ilfracomberoundtable.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 25 September 2014.
  58. ^Images of England - Ilfracombe.Tempus. 2003. pp. 122, 123.ISBN0-7524-2538-2.
  59. ^"An Ilfracombe Quiz".Archivedfrom the original on 17 March 2012.Retrieved21 July2011.
  60. ^Initial report of the fire fromBBC NewsArchived23 August 2006 at theWayback Machine
  61. ^"Report update".BBC News.12 August 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2006.Retrieved20 February2009.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toIlfracombe.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forIlfracombe.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ilfracombe&oldid=1234717457"