Cultural Devon > Devon's History and Heritage > Clovelly
This picture-postcard fishing village clings to a steep hillside on the North Devon coast. Its colourful, flower strewn cottages line the main stepped, cobbled street on such a steep incline that you can almost see down the chimney of the cottage below!
Clovelly owes its present state of preservation to Christine Hamlyn who dedicated herself to renovating the ancient cottages, often leaving her signature CH and date. The usual tripper impact of motor traffic and commercialisation simply has not been allowed to enter or spoil Clovelly. The Clovelly Estate Company, which owns all of the buildings in the village and a few thousand acres around it, take responsibility for all the maintenance and is thus able to ensure that the results are a unique village, standing still in the midst of the 19th century in terms of its buildings and streets (and its donkeys) but with a community of the 21st century.
The village is traffic free and the main street, known very simply as 'up-a-long' and 'down-a-long', tumbles its cobbled way down 400ft of solid rock to the tiny harbour and lifeboat station, both protected by an ancient stone breakwater. It is a descent through flower-strewn cottages broken only by tempting little passageways and tiny winding lanes that lead off to the left and right and offer the prospect of discovering more peaceful, picturesque treasures of Clovelly. Visitors to Clovelly manage the steep cobbled streets to the harbour on foot. The only other form of transport are sledges, which are used to deliver weekly supplies.
There are places to stay and eat in both the Red Lion Hotel and the New Inn Hotel, while there are plenty of things to do around the village, including the donkey stables, craft workshops, quay shop, fisherman's cottage and the chapels. The spectacular location of the village, clinging onto the cliffside is also a massive attraction, with the harbour and waterfall being a pleasant place to visit.
For more information on Clovelly's historic pedigree, visit the village museums, and take a look at the Audio Visual presentation room located in our Visitor Centre.
Road Directions
Exit the M5 at junction 27 and follow the A361 towards Barnstaple. Remain on the A361 for approximately 36 miles until you come to a roundabout where the A39 to Bideford is signposted. Follow the A39 for approximately 25 miles until you see a right turn to Clovelly (B3237). Take this turn and follow the road for a short distance to the car park which is situated within a short walk from Clovelly.
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