Ilfracombe, Devon, England, UK
by Neale And Judith Clark
Title
Ilfracombe, Devon, England, UK
Artist
Neale And Judith Clark
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Spectacular views of the coast and harbour at Ilfracombe from the south west coast path above the town of Ilfracombe Devon England UK GB Europe
Alamy ref:2H7X1CN
Ilfracombe is a seaside resort on the North Devon coast, England, with a small harbour surrounded by cliffs.
Because of the natural layout of the harbour, Ilfracombe became a significant safe port on the Bristol Channel. It also had trade routes between Kinsale and Tenby, which made the port stronger. In 1208 it was listed as having provided King John with ships and men to invade Ireland; in 1247 it supplied a ship to the fleet that was sent to conquer the Western Isles of Scotland; 6 ships, with 79 men were sent to support the siege of Calais. Ilfracombe was the last disembarkation point for two large forces sent to subdue the Irish. 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.
The first steam packets arrived at Ilfracombe in 1823, and soon a regular service between Bristol and between Swansea developed. 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 the Ilfracombe Chronicle that 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. The PS Waverley (1885) arrived in Ilfracombe in 1887, after her owners P & A Campbell brought her to Bristol, initially on a charter, as their first pleasure steamer to work the Bristol Channel, and was based there until 1917. Deterioration of the wooden pier and part demolition during the Second World War mean 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. A seasonal passenger ferry, operated by MS Oldenburg, connects the harbour to Lundy Island.
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March 15th, 2023
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