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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 17 in total
The Pinehurst Boarding House in Ilfracombe on Chambercombe Park Road was our holiday destination when I was very young for a number of years. I always looked forward to these with great excitement. It looks as if it is now a care home, can anyone confirm for me that it is the same house. I remember a tall red brick building up a steep hill but not much more. The owners, Chris and ...see more
The Runnacleave hotel was a seasonal base camp for me from 1967 until 1970.
I worked as a waiter, and had so much fun in working there.
I remember the Thursday night dance with Anita and Al doing the Cha-cha-cha fab.
I worked with almost every major nationality and it was a learning curve for me, sitting down for dinner after work and talking about life with all the other catering staff fab.
It was ...see more
I began working as a waiter at hotel in 1967.I was 20 years old
I did seasonanal work until 1970. Great times, happy memories
I worked in the Runnacleave in 1975 as a waitress for about 4yrs..happy days😊.I am having my first holiday there in June 36yrs since I last visited..anyone out there who worked there too..Mary.
My cousin who lives in the Shetland Islands has a pair of old oil paintings which he inherited from his father. He's trying to find out where they are from and the only clue he has is the name of the company that did the framing.
Does anyone in Ilfracombe remember a business on the High Street called E. Hill, Picture Frame Maker? He was wondering just how long ago that might have been.
Thanks so much for any "memories"!
I remember family holidays at Runnacleave. Vague memories of a particular room that was long & thin with two beds in line. Stayed again couple of years after & remember looking though keyhole at the same room - was only 9 or 10 at the time! Also memories of cave or tunnel through to beach. Hope these are real memories & not my mind playing games.
My friend Sue and I worked as waitresses at the Runnacleve during July and August of that hot summer whilst on holiday from catering college. Not that we saw much of the sun! We served breakfast, lunch and dinner with short breaks in between. We would start work at 7.30am and finally finish around 9pm. We were in the annexe of the restaurant and I waited on the American owner, Mr Roberts and his family who had the ...see more
Wonderful little beach. As a lad in the late 1940's and early 50's, I was a deckchair boy here, and hundreds of people would walk from town to have a coffee at the cafe at the bottom of Rapparee steps, or spend half the day sitting in a deckchair. I learnt to swim here, jumping from the rocks at the side of the beach. Rowing boats from the harbour would visit, taking people back to the quay for ...see more
I thought you would like to know that this hotel belonged to my father's side of the family, as well as the St Agness which was next door. My grandfather, Frank Price, was also a member of the life boat. My great auntie also ran a dance studio and was a known artist. After moving to Bristol, we used to spend a lot of holidays in Ilfracombe. Also my grandfather had a builders yard and built his own house ...see more
My family started having holidays in Ilfracombe in 1964 and I've been back every year since, for at least a few days. We started off in a flat in Oxford Grove and after two years there, found a lovely flat in 19 Montpelier Terrace that was owned by Mr and Mrs Perry, who lived at the other end of the terrace, in No 5. Before going to Ilfracombe all our holidays had been on the south coast, so North Devon ...see more