During half term my family and I stayed in Cornwall for a week at the Luxury Whalesborough Resort. Although in Cornwall it is just on the border of Devon and only a 30 minute drive to Clovelly, a place I visited once as child but that has stayed with me ever since. Clovelly is a picturesque and historic village in North Devon, famous for its cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages and stunning views. It isn’t like other villages for a number of reasons, the most obvious being that you do have to pay to enter which does seem a little strange but if you like idyllic places, tranquil settings and picture perfect views as well as being immersed in history then it’s well worth the entrance fee. 

Clovelly is also unique because it was owned by a single family for centuries and is still managed under private ownership by the Clovelly Estate Company which has allowed the village’s unique architecture and traditions to be well-preserved over time so they can still be enjoyed today.

Clovelly is a car free village and is built on a steep, 400-foot cliff, so if you are thinking of visiting it is important to bare this in mind as you will need to walk down to the sea front and back up again. That being said we did it with a 4 year old who managed it easily and as long as you are steady on your feet there are plenty of places to stop along the way including benches positioned perfectly to admire the views. 

Our trip to Clovelly Village

This was the first time my husband and children had ever been to Clovelly and although I had fond memories of my visit as a child I couldn’t really remember much other than the cobbled streets and pretty doorways so I was very excited for our trip too. On arrival you need to go through the visitors centre and purchase your tickets to gain access. In here you will also find a few shops and lovely cafe, I recommend stopping here on your way back and enjoying a well deserved coffee and cake, especially if you can bag yourself a table on the balcony as the views are just beautiful. 

Donkey Stables

We decided to visit the Donkeys first as they are just below the visitors centre. The donkeys are so friendly and are more than happy to let you have a cuddle and give them a stroke. Originally the donkeys were used to help carry things around the Clovelly Village due to the steep inclines but today they are more of a tourist attraction and a cute one at that.

​Clovelly Soap Company 

Next to the Donkey stables you will find a gorgeous soap shop full of handmade soaps,perfect for piking up a present or a memento for yourself. 

Clovelly Pottery 

 Opposite this is a pottery studio and shop full of gorgeous pieces in a variety of colours. I loved having a look around this shop and couldn’t believe that they still had the same small vase shaped pots on sale that I bought then I visited as a child that still sits on my windowsill to this day!

Clovelly Court Gardens

If you turn right here instead of heading straight down you can visit the Clovelly Court Gardens. This is a restored Victorian walled garden featuring an impressive array of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It’s a tranquil space showcasing the village’s natural beauty and horticultural heritage and the perfect place to stop and take it all in. 

The Cobblestone Streets

After exploring the shops and gardens we made our way down to the harbour, via the main cobblestone street, which is lined with traditional fisherman’s cottages and lovely gardens. It has a real oldy worldly feel to it and you can’t help but imagine how life is if you actually live there. One of he houses is currently being renovated and we spotted the workman having to carry equipment down the steep hill along with a lady using a sleigh to move her belongings, a very surreal situation. 

 As it was Halloween during our visit there were a number of houses decorated too which was lovely to see and also made me realise that although the villagers do live here they must be happy with tourists visiting and the attention their houses get as they really did get in to the spirit of things which was great for the kids and added to the magic of our visit.

The Harbor

Once at the bottom of the cobbled street we went straight to the picturesque harbor that dates back to the 14th century, where even now local fishermen still fish and then supply fresh seafood to Clovelly and surrounding areas. The Harbour is a stone style beach that you can explore on foot all the way down to the shore line where we had lots of fun skimming rocks and making stone towers. The weather was beautiful for October and so we just sat for a while and enjoyed the views.

The Waterfall

Just as we were about to head to the pub for a much needed drink we spotted a waterfall further up and so off we scrambled across the rocks to explore, which I would highly recommend you do too. The waterfall was stunning and I’m glad we spotted it.

On the way back across the beach we took the higher route which was easier to walk across and also meant we go to see a beautiful collection of stone towers too. There really is something to see everywhere you look.

The Red Lion pub 

The Red Lion Hotel is an 18th Century 4-star Inn that stands on the quay alongside Clovelly’s ancient harbour and was the perfect place to stop for  a much needed drink. We chose to sit outside and upstairs so we could take in the views some more but  there is inside seating if you prefer. 

Once we were suitably refreshed we started the walk back up. I’m not ging to lie this was definitely harder than the walk down but if our 4 year old can do it without moaning then we could too! 

Fisherman’s Cottage and Kinsley Museum 

On the way back up we stopped off at the Fisherman’s Cottage and Kingsley Museum, named after Charles Kingsley, a writer and former resident. This is free to enter and gives you a real insight into what life in Clovelly was like years ago. The fisherman’s cottage beautifully captures a home from the 1930’s complete with washing on the maiden and plates on the wall. There is also a well in the front room which would have been used to watch the water levels. The cottage is manned and the guide on duty when we visited was so knowledgeable and admitted that he had lived in Clovelly himself for 77 years and he was more than happy to answer our questions about life in the village.

It’s truly fascinating and I would recommend that anyone visiting Clovelly Village pops in here too as it really pulls the whole experience together and transports you back in time whilst also reminding you that Clovelly is still a much lived in village. 

Place of worship

Just a short walk up from the Fisherman’s cottage we found a place of worship. We were unsure if it was still used today but it is open to the public and nice to look around. 

Art Gallery and shops

On our way back up we stopped in a few of the shops, all lovely with very friendly staff. One of my favourites was the little art gallery that had some exquisite pieces in the showroom. If art is your thing then this is definitely worth a look.

Coffee and cake

We finished off our trip with a coffee and cake on the balcony of the visitors centre over looking Clovelly. It was simply breath taking and I am so glad that we visited. If you are in the area or passing by I would recommend you visit, especially if the weather is good. We visited with 3 children, 4, 12 and 14 plus the dog and everyone agrees it was a lovely day out. 

Top Tips

If you are thinking of visiting Clovelly then here are some top tips to help you get the most out of your journey

• Wear Comfortable Shoes The cobbled streets can be challenging, especially on the steep hill, so comfortable, flat, walking shoes or trainers are a must.
• Photography The village’s unique charm and coastal views make it a fantastic spot for photography so make sure you have your camera or a fully charged phone.
• Take a towel If you have kids or a dog and think they might want to dip their feet in the sea or even head into the waterfall then take a small towel with you.
• Picnic If you want to stay the day but don’t want the added cost of eating in the cafe or pub then take a picnic as there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy it. 
• Give yourself plenty of time It may sound like ‘just’ a village but believe me you wont want to leave so allow plenty of time to stay and enjoy Clovelly without clock watching. 

Clovelly offers a unique glimpse into the past, with a combination of unspoiled natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage that makes it one of Devon’s most memorable attractions and one I would highly recommend.

Prices for visiting Clovelly Village 

1st March 2024 to 1st April 2025