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Clovelly had been on our list of places to visit for years. We lived in Plymouth for almost two decades, down on Devon’s southern coast, and even though Clovelly sits on the north coast and isn’t that far as the crow flies, getting between the two is a surprisingly long trip. But we finally made it during a little road trip along Devon’s unbelievably scenic Atlantic Highway, the A39.
The village itself feels like a mix of a classic Southwest coastal spot and something closer to Blists Hill, part tourist attraction, part living thing, where everyday life and a little piece of heritage perfectly align for the rest of us to enjoy. You have to pay for entry, but it’s worth every penny for a great day out on the Devonshire coast.
If you’d like to see more imagery of the village, head to our pictures of Clovelly post to see the rest.
A Brief History
Clovelly appears in records from the 13th century and was once owned by the English Crown. It later passed to the Giffard family in 1242 and has remained in private hands ever since.
Fishing, boatbuilding and small‑scale farming help to shape the village, with donkeys used to move goods up and down the steep cobbled street. Donkeys still exist at Clovelly, but aren’t used as they once were. You’ll find them in the stables before you head down into the village, along with a couple of shops. People now move shopping and things themselves, but a little more on that later.
The village became more widely known in the 19th century after Charles Kingsley wrote Westward Ho!, which featured Clovelly and brought early tourism. Long‑term private ownership is the main reason the village has stayed so intact and uniform in appearance.
What’s There Today?
Clovelly is still a working fishing village, but most visitors are tourists. The main things to see include:
- The iconic cobbled main street, which is a steep, winding route from the visitor centre down to the harbour.
- The 14th‑century quay, which is still used by local fishing boats.
- The Fisherman’s Cottage, which is a preserved 1800s home you can visit.
- The Kingsley Museum, which has information about Charles Kingsley’s life and links to the village.
- Donkey stables.
- Craft workshops, with pottery, silk and small artisan studios.
- Clovelly Court Gardens, which are beautifully restored Victorian walled gardens. These aren’t to be missed. You’ll find these a short walk away from the car park, and not in the village.
- Two hotels. The New Inn (in the village) and The Red Lion (on the quay).
How’s Life in Clovelly?
Two things shape life in Clovelly. The village is still privately owned, and the steep cobbled street has no vehicle access. To get supplies to houses, residents use wooden sledges, which you’ll find dotted around the place. And no one owns their house. They are all rented.
The estate maintains the buildings to preserve the village’s historic look, so you won’t find modern extensions or mismatched renovations. Everything is still in keeping, preserving a unique character that is almost lost across the UK these days. The community is small, with around 300 people living across the 83 cottages.
Visitor Information
No cars are allowed through the village, so you need to park at the visitor centre at the top of the hill, where parking is free. From there, you have a steep walk down into the village. A Land Rover runs a paid service to get you back to the car park, should you prefer not to walk.
📍 Clovelly, North Devon, EX39 5TA
🕙 Open daily, except Christmas Day. Times vary by month, so check the tickets page for opening times
📞 01237 431781
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