Ilfracombe

Carved into Devon's rugged North Coast, this Victorian seaside town sits where dramatic cliffs plunge into the Bristol Channel. The harbour feels properly authentic - working boats alongside pleasure craft, with that salty tang that never quite leaves your clothes. Ilfracombe has shed its faded resort reputation over the past decade, transforming into something altogether more interesting.

Damien Hirst's controversial bronze statue Verity dominates the harbour entrance, all 67 feet of her. Love it or loathe it, she's become the town's unlikely calling card. The harbour itself remains the heart of things - cafes spill onto cobbles, and you can still buy fish straight off the boats on a good day.

Cliff walks here are spectacular. The coastal path to Woolacombe stretches for miles, offering some of the finest sea views in Devon. Inland, Furze Hill provides a proper workout and cracking panoramas across the Bristol Channel to Wales on clear days. Both Slade Reservoirs make for gentler strolls when the coastal winds get too fierce.

Brewery enthusiasts should seek out FatBelly Brewery and Combe Brewing Company - both turn out decent pints using local ingredients. St Calixtus' Church, perched above the town, dates back centuries and offers another perspective on this clifftop community.

Getting here means either the scenic coastal route or cutting inland through Barnstaple. Either way, it's worth the journey. Holiday parks scattered around the area like Golden Sands Touring Park and Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park put you within easy reach of both Ilfracombe's revitalised streets and the stunning coastline beyond. You're also perfectly placed for day trips to Woolacombe's legendary surf beaches or the quieter coves that pepper this stretch of coast.