Summary
After our day as beekeepers in Devon (still fascinated by those little critters), we headed out the very next morning (post-breakfast) to explore even more of Devon.
1. Exploring Devon: From Beekeeping to Dramatic Coastlines
We made our way over to the seaside town of Ilfracombe, where we decided to hop aboard a boat to get a different perspective on this pretty part of Devon.
The coastline around here is significantly more dramatic than I anticipated. In fact, the Bristol Channel, which spans across to Wales – you can literally see Wales from here – has the second highest tide range in the world (after the Bay of Fundy in Canada, which we’d just visited a few days before).
You must be careful when you’re exploring here as the tide rises and falls fairly quickly and dramatically. You don’t want to be stuck out on a boat if you leave it too late to get back to shore or vice versa when exploring on foot.
2. Ilfracombe Boat Tour: A Unique Perspective on Devon’s Coast
Thankfully, we set off fairly early, and with locals who actually know what they’re doing – Ilfracombe Sea Safari.
3. Tidal Range and Safety Tips While Exploring
If you pick your days right, you can actually see dolphins, seals, and even porpoises here. However, we didn’t encounter any, to be fair, we only went for the one-hour ride, so we didn’t leave enough time for such sightings.
4. Cultural Experience in Ilfracombe: Art and Dining
After our boat ride, we were welcomed by a rather gory piece of art by Damien Hirst, and we headed up the nearby hills to take in a different view of Ilfracombe.
5. Visiting Lynton and Lynmouth: Cliff Railway Adventure
We made our way over to Lynton and Lynmouth, a small seaside town with a cliff railway that’s actually the world’s highest and steepest completely water-powered railway.
The scenery from this area is even more breathtaking than I expected, offering stunning views of this dramatic landscape.
After lunch, we enjoyed leisurely activities including stopping for a drink and popping into a local church, all part of what makes exploring Devon so enjoyable.
6. Discovering the Valley of the Rocks
As the sun began to set, we decided to bid farewell to Lynton and Lynmouth and head over to a spot that had intrigued me – the Valley of the Rocks.
Much to my surprise, the Valley of the Rocks is an extraordinary natural beauty, with rocks dramatically perched. The view offers a chance to truly appreciate the stunning landscape of this region.
Your exploration can be taken further as you park your car and walk along the edge – just be wary if you’re not a fan of heights, as it can feel a bit nerve-wracking despite the path being wide enough to comfortably walk.
Who knows, you might even spot some feral goats that roam the area!
After a quick jaunt around the path, we decided to call it a day and head over to Minehead in Somerset, where we would be staying for the night.
It’s funny but at the time, I don’t think I realized it (I certainly didn’t plan for it) but this day had been entirely defined by England’s rugged, and often dramatic, coastline.
Thus, my endeavors in Devon created a desire to return and explore even further!
