Caroline Abbott
30 April 2024
The picturesque and historic fishing village of Clovelly, which lies about 10 miles to the west of Bideford in North Devon, is one of Britain’s most unusual places. It’s a privately-owned village where the rules include no holiday homes, no vehicles, and visitors have to pay an entrance fee – and in return, a wander around Clovelly village feels like stepping back in time.
Besides soaking up the atmosphere and saying hello to Clovelly’s famous donkeys, there’s a lot to see and do in Clovelly, Devon. Our guide tells you everything you need to know to make the most of your visit, whether you plan to stop by for a couple of hours or make a full day of it.
We have a wide range of self-catering cottages on the doorstep of this charming village, within easy reach of the area’s stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and fabulous walking routes. You can browse the collection by clicking the button below.
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FAQs
Clovelly is open all year round except Christmas. In the summer, it is open from 9am to 5pm. At other times, visitors are asked to check by calling the visitor centre on 01237 431781 or by emailing [email protected]. Note that during the winter, the independent businesses are open at their own discretion.
You should allow at least two to three hours for a visit, including a stop for lunch or a cream tea.
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome, including on Clovelly Beach.
It has a 20% gradient, and it can be slippery, so you should wear sensible footwear. Visitors with prams or buggies may struggle. It is not suitable for wheelchairs – but the visitor centre, donkey stables, craft workshops, Mount Pleasant and Clovelly Court Gardens are all accessible.
Between Easter and October, there is a Land Rover service that can return you to the top of Clovelly village via a back road for a small fare. The service operates from 10am to 4.30pm but these times may vary.
Clovelly has been used for the filming of countless TV adverts, movies and shows over the years, including Treasure Island, Jeeves and Wooster, Sense and Sensibility, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, and Robson Green’s Tales from the Coast. More than 30 years ago, Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan was filmed at Clovelly for a Fosters beer advert.
About Clovelly
The Clovelly estate was originally owned by William the Conqueror, who was the King of England in the 11th century. It then had many royal associations until 1242, when it was acquired by the Giffard family. Until the middle of the 19th century, Clovelly in Devon was unknown to the outside world!
Clovelly village, near Bideford, clings to a 400-foot cliff, meaning you'll need to traverse the steep, cobbled main street that leads down past pretty, whitewashed, 16th-century cottages, to the working harbour and 14th-century quay. At the bottom, Clovelly Beach is mainly pebble with some sand at low tide, and at the top, there is a visitor centre and a car park.
Interestingly, full-time occupation of the cottages is a condition of tenancy – meaning there are no holiday homes. There are 83 houses and around 300 residents. The numbering of the houses is unusual: it starts from the top down the left-hand side, known as Down-a-long, and goes from the harbour up the other side, known as Up-a-long, so the first and last numbers are both at the top of the high street.
Clovelly was once a busy fishing port, renowned for its herring and mackerel. Fishing is still an important part of village life today and Clovelly is particularly known for its lobster and crab. Fishing wasn't the only commercial industry though; in centuries past, this part of the coastline was involved with piracy and smuggling and was notorious for shipwrecks.
Tickets to Clovelly
The admission charge to Clovelly includes entry to the village, parking, entry to Clovelly Court Gardens, entry to the Fisherman’s Cottage and Kingsley Museum, a 20-minute film about the history of the village, and access to walks and picnic spots surrounding the area. The entry fee also goes towards tree planting and conservation initiatives around the village which help to preserve it for future generations. The admission charge includes a free return visit within 7 days.
Admission prices are subject to change but at the time of writing, they were £9.50 for adults and £5.50 for children aged seven to 16. Under-sevens go free. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £25. Season tickets are also available. Tickets can be booked online or purchased from the visitor centre.
Things to do in Clovelly
See the Clovelly donkeys
Clovelly is famous for its donkeys, which were once relied upon to transport goods and tourists up and down the steep hill. They now enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, while heavy loads are transported by sledges. Their old stables are found below the visitor centre and just beyond the craft workshops, where unique gifts from silk scarves to ceramic pots and seaweed soaps are available to purchase. In the summer, donkeys can be seen by the Victoria Fountain between 11.30am and 4.30pm. They give rides to visiting children and you are welcome to pose for photographs with them – they love the attention.
Spend time at Fisherman's Cottage and The Kingsley Museum
Photo credit: clovelly.co.uk
The small Fisherman’s Cottage is set up to represent a typical family cottage in the 1930s. The Kingsley Museum is dedicated to Victorian author Charles Kingsley, who lived in Clovelly in his childhood and wrote the book Westward Ho! which popularised the village as a visitor destination. The Victorian kitchen gardens at Clovelly Court Gardens are considered a must-see for visitors to the village.
Head to Clovelly harbour
Fishing from the quay is popular and you can get a permit from the harbour master, but these have seasonal time restrictions. Kids love crabbing from the harbour wall, and nets, buckets and crabbing lines can be bought from the Quay Shop. The harbour is one of the real highlights of Clovelly. Discover more of the top harbours in Devon to visit in our guide.
Why not take a boat trip to view the dramatic coastline or go fishing, or head off and enjoy the stunning scenery on a long walk along the clifftops? Hobby Drive takes you through the woods and offers excellent views of Clovelly Harbour and Bideford Bay. The opposite direction takes you along dramatic cliffs towards Hartland Point and enjoys a great view of Mouth Mill Cove. Check out more scenic coastal walks in Devon here.
Visit Crazy Kate's Cottage
You can take a tour of the village with a guide who can share plenty of information about the village’s history and traditions. If you prefer to explore independently, don’t miss the oldest cottage in Clovelly, Crazy Kate’s Cottage. It is named after a woman who is said to have died in 1736 after going mad following the death of her husband, who drowned in the bay. Dressed in her wedding gown, she walked into the sea to join him. A few hundred yards beyond the lifeboat station, you will find a stunning waterfall cascading down the cliff face – and there’s a hidden cave behind the curtain of water.
Events and Festivals in Clovelly
Clovelly’s annual events include the Seaweed Festival in May, the Maritime Festival in July, the Lobster and Crab Feast in September and the Herring Festival in November.
There’s no extra admission charge for these events, and they all feature live music, demonstrations, street entertainment, craft activities and lots of stalls selling unique gifts.
Eating in Clovelly
Clovelly has two hotels – the New Inn, in the heart of the village, and the Red Lion on the quay – which offer lunches, dinners and cream teas. You could visit the Quay Shop and get a takeaway to enjoy on the quay. The Bay Tree Cafe in the Visitor Centre serves light snacks.
Much of the food and drink available in Clovelly is sourced from the village and harbour itself.
Stay with us near Clovelly
We have dozens of holiday properties within a few miles of Clovelly, so whether you’re looking for a cosy cottage for a couple’s getaway, a larger place for a family break, or a mansion to serve as a base for a big group, you’re sure to find something to suit you in our collection, which you can browse by clicking the button below. If you like Clovelly near Bideford, you may also want to check out our pretty villages in Devon guide.
If you’re taking your furry friends with you too, browse our collection of dog-friendly cottages in Clovelly. If you can’t quite find your perfect place for the dates you want, expand your search to our North Devon cottages for more suggestions.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.