Nostalgic memories of Ilfracombe's local history

Share your own memories of Ilfracombe and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Add Your Memory for Ilfracombe

Displaying Memories 11 - 17 of 17 in total

A Step Back Into Timeless Tranquility

I grew up in a northern city never realising that my grandmother was born in Ilfracombe in 1905. I knew she spoke differently but was only when I was 10 did I start to truly listen to the beautiful accent of my grandmother and the stories she told of her childhood in Ilfracombe. Sadly it was only after the death of close family that I started to research my beautiful family and retraced steps ...see more

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Added 09 February 2012

Why Did They Knock It Down

I remember the last days of the Ilfracombe Hotel. It was a beautiful building but after years of neglect and then under council ownership it fell into disrepair (plus a certain hotelier/councillor didn't like it as it spoilt the view from his hotel) so despite thousands of signatures in protest it was knocked down the year we moved back to Ilfracombe after a year away. I remember seing the remains of ...see more

$Ilfracombe, the Hotel from Capstone 1899$

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Added 12 January 2012

1970's In The Carlton

My family ran the Carlton from the early 1970s. We lived there for a year or two in the flat which was on the right where the garage is in the picture here. I remember cycling around the place on my blue plastic tractor (I was born in 1971 was I wasn't old). We found that some guests came into the flat and used our bathroom so we hid a fake rubber severed hand poking out of the toilet. They never came in ...see more

$Ilfracombe, Carlton Hotel c1965$

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Added 12 January 2012

Runnacleave Hotel

I started work as an Hotel Receptionist at the Runnacleave Hotel on the 16th May 1970 and spent four wonderful summers there. It was my first time away from home and a bit daunting at first, but with the kindness and help of Anita Roberts, the owner, it became my home for the nest four seasons. I have so many memories of that lovely hotel, all the people I met and all the fun we had. Just a pity it is now a ...see more

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Added 15 March 2011

Woolacombe Bay Hotel

I was a boarder at Adelaide College, while my father lived in London, my mother worked at Montebello Hotel. I recall the town then was crowded with American service people, who as I can remember were very generous with their gum and loose change! I also lived for a while at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel, the owners then were I think the Johnsons. I wonder if there are any photos out there of the College? I believe it was pulled down in the 1960s. Ilfracombe, what a lovely little town!

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Added 30 November 2009

A Coastal Walk In North Devon

Last weekend I had a glorious gentle walk from Hunters Inn down the track to Heddons Mouth with my wife Elizabeth and two friends, Valerie and Jim. We parked our car by the National Trust buildings up the lane from Hunters Inn, then put on some stout shoes, made sure our picnics were in our back packs and strolled down the track for twenty minutes or so to the rocky cove at Heddons Mouth. The river ...see more

$Ilfracombe, Hunters Inn c1950$