Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe was the first holiday resort to develop on the north Devon coast. By the early 19th century its bathing facilities were already attracting many visitors - to bathe in the sea and to seek sea water cures in the comfort of the bath house.

In 1823 a team of Welsh miners hand carved through the cliffs to allow easy access to one of the coves, and hence the name "Tunnels Beaches" came about. Essentially, Tunnels Beaches comprises a network of hand carved tunnels, leading to unique sheltered beaches and a tidal Victorian bathing pool.

Shipload Bay

The only guaranteed sandy beach between Westward Ho! and Welcombe, the cove at Shipload Bay comprises a lovely smooth expanse of sand, revealed only at low tide.

Fancy spending Summer 2003
on the beach?
Source: BBC, 2003

Good work if you can get it: Organising rockpool rambles and leading coastal walks are among the tasks carried out by marine conservation volunteers. Here's your chance to get involved this summer - and there may even be a job on offer at the end of it!

Devon's beautiful coastline is one of the county's greatest assets - some would say it's the best thing about Devon. But keeping the environmentally sensitive sections of the coast in good shape requires a lot of hard work.

The Devon Wildlife Trust does much of that work, thanks to its staff and volunteers. One of their tasks is to make the coastline's conservation areas accessible to everyone, while at the same time protecting those areas.

This is where YOU can help. Because the trust, which manages marine conservation areas in North Devon and at Wembury near Plymouth, is looking for volunteers for the summer of 2003.

Ideally, volunteers should have a basic understanding of the intertidal environment, as well as good communication skills and plenty of enthusiasm. Some qualification in marine conservation would also be handy. The trust says that two full time posts will be available, and short term placements are also a possibilty.

So what will you be doing? Well, a key element of the job is liaising with schools, organising events such as rockpool rambles and guided walks, and publicity work.

Cat Ridout, who is the trust's marine conservation officer at Wembury, said: "Since 1981, the Wembury marine conservation area has been successful in enabling people from all walks of life to discover and enjoy the fabulous world found along the rocky foreshore of Wembury. This is only a voluntary initiative, so relies on the support and good will of local people."

Barbara Haddrill, who does the job in North Devon, added: "It's a great chance for people to learn lots of new skills and take part in all our fun events."

Travel expenses are paid, and some formal and in-house training is given to volunteers.