Walk - Ilfracombe's Jubilee Gardens

Route Description

Although now North Devon's largest holiday town, Ilfracombe has its origins in Saxon times and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. During the medieval period it had two centres, around the church and around the harbour. It was important as a fishing harbour and commercial port and there was a quay here in the Middle Ages.

Ilfracombe began to develop as a holiday resort in the early 1800s, although it was the coming of the railway in the 1870s which really marked the beginning of the town's large-scale expansion. As a result of this it is now one of Devon's best examples of a town dominated by Victorian architecture.

Althopugh much of the town dates from Victorian times, some of the prominent sea-facing terraces are earlier, from the 1830s, when it began to develop as a select resort.

1. Jubilee Gardens are formed on a steep slope above the Ilfracombe Museum located between Wilder Road and the sea, merging on its East side with the Landmark Theatre. Jubilee Gardens is an open, grassed area with flower beds, shrubs and trees criss-crossed with footpaths.

Public transport

Local Ilfracombe and Barnstaple bus services run along Wilder Road approximately 60m from Jubilee Gardens. 3,21a,30,31,32,35,300&302. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

There are two car parks that can be used for access to Jubilee Gardens. They are either side of the Landmark Theatre, 48 on the side nearest the sea and 51 between the Theatre and Wilder Road. In front of the Theatre are 3 accessible spaces and 4 more nearby outside Runnymede Gardens. All users have to pay for parking.