Clovelly - History, Clovelly Harbour, Visitors Centre, Bucks Mill, Hobby Drive

Clovelly

Introduction

Picturesque and unique, Clovelly is privately owned by the Clovelly Estate Trust, and still maintains its olde worlde air. Access to the sea is via a steep cobbled street where quaint, flower-strewn houses nestle down into the hillside. There is an entrance fee to access Clovelly via the Visitors Centre, which includes an audio-visual display on the history of Clovelly from 2000BC, gift shops, a picnic area, restaurant and fisherman's museum.

History

Clovelly is a small but ancient community which stems from a settlement which was old before the Doomsday book was written. It is consequently a close-knit one, but its people are warm hearted and welcoming and know the importance of visitors in helping them preserve this precious place for the future. Charles Kingsley Senior was Rector of Clovelly in 1831 his son Charles went on to write 'Westward Ho!' set in the area.

Annual Lentsherd event
On Shrove Tuesday, children run through the village of Clovelly to the beach, to 'drive the devil into the sea' before Lent starts. This custom has been practised for over 100 years. For further information contact the Visitors Centre on 01237 431781.

Clovelly

Clovelly Harbour

Clovelly Harbour

At the bottom of the street is a little fourteenth century harbour, still used by local fishermen who work in the bay. No private transport is permitted in the village, but there is parking and Land Rover transport up and down the hill for those who wish to use it. There are several boats offering fishing trips from the harbour - for information about boating and fishing trips on The Neptune ring 01237 431761, deep sea fishing on The Hooker ring 01237 475535 / 475689 or fishing and swimming trips on The Jessica Hettie, run by Clovelly Charters, ring 01237 431405.

Attractions

Hobby Drive
Close to Clovelly, Hobby Drive runs for three miles along a track winding through luxuriant woodland, hugging the contours of the cliffs. The drive was devised by Sir James Hamlyn Williams and his wife and became their all consuming hobby between 1811 and 1829. NB Hobby Drive is presently closed.

The beach at Buck's Mill

The Beach at Buck's Mill

Buck's Mill
A small village of whitewashed houses on a hill leading down to the seashore. For many centuries the village relied on fishing for its survival, this activity was largely the domain of just one large Buck's Mill family, the Braunds. At the bottom of the hill there is a shingle beach where a waterfall tumbles down the cliff and an old kiln remains.

The 'Old Mill' tea rooms are worth a visit and are within meters of the beach. There are beautiful views across Bideford Bay towards Baggy Point and Wales.

Related publications

Explorer Map 0126 - Clovelly and Hartland

Related websites

Page last updated: 19 July 2003