Ilfracombe

Victorian terraces tumble down steep hillsides towards a harbour that's seen everything from herring boats to modern art installations. Ilfracombe grips the North Devon coast with proper determination, its higgledy-piggledy streets offering glimpses of Lundy Island on clear days. The town's reinvention from faded seaside resort to cultural destination shows most dramatically at the harbour, where Damien Hirst's towering Verity statue divides opinion as much as it draws crowds.

Climbing the winding streets rewards you with cracking views from the Rescue Helicopter Viewing Area, while South Street Church sits quietly among the Victorian architecture that gives the town its character. The surrounding countryside feels surprisingly wild for somewhere so close to civilization. Stoneyard Wood and Butterhill Wood offer proper hiking territory, while Buckland Down provides that sense of being on top of the world that makes North Devon special.

Getting here means winding roads through some of Devon's most dramatic landscape - it's a bit of a trek from the A361, but well worth the effort. The nearest major town is Barnstaple, about 12 miles inland. During summer, the narrow streets can feel properly busy, but venture out in the shoulder seasons and you'll have those coastal paths largely to yourself.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring this stretch of coastline. Golden Sands Touring Park gets consistently good reviews, positioning you perfectly for day trips to Woolacombe's famous surf beaches while keeping Ilfracombe's restaurants and pubs within easy reach. The beauty of basing yourself here is having both the dramatic coast and the gentler countryside of places like West Hill within a short drive.