Crab Cottage

Customer rating

4.7★

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pets Yes
Show on map

Features

Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Seaside
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

75 Customer Review(s)

Sandra
October 2025

“Lovely cottage.”

I've stayed before and I've booked for February next year. A row of cottages in the oldest part of Ilfracombe. The cottage is very clean and warm so very cosy. The garden is amazing, has a magnificent view of the harbour and verity. I have to say that the steps leading to the garden are a bit of a climb. Also the steps to the front door are a challenge, especially when wet. There is a roomy kitchen dinner, well equipped. Just one moan, the bed is very, very hard. Sorry just had to say. We will ...

I've stayed before and I've booked for February next year. A row of cottages in the oldest part of Ilfracombe. The cottage is very clean and warm so very cosy. The garden is amazing, has a magnificent view of the harbour and verity. I have to say that the steps leading to the garden are a bit of a climb. Also the steps to the front door are a challenge, especially when wet. There is a roomy kitchen dinner, well equipped. Just one moan, the bed is very, very hard. Sorry just had to say. We will bring bed toppers next time. But a lovely cottage. My little dog is very happy there!

- Sandra, October 2025

Thank you so much for your feedback. So happy you have found the cottage to be somewhere to return to time and again. The mattress is the same as we have at home. We love it : ) But you are not the first to comment, so we have bought a mattress topper which we hope will take the edge off the firmness for those that like a bit more give in their mattress. Property Owner
Sheridan August 2025

“Crab Cottage is a charming, well equipped, comfortable home from home.”

Conveniently positioned for the high street just above and lots of lovely pubs and eateries, all within easy walking distance. We were walking the South West Coastal path so a perfect mid point for week 1. The cottage is up a few stone steps off the road where we were able to stop and unload. Parking was possible in paying and free spots nearby. The Olive Grove opposite entertained us with sea shanties on Thursday night and we had a very nice pub meal with live music at the oldest pub in Ilfracombe on Saturday night. Plenty to do and everyone was so friendly. We didn’t use the garden at the back of the house but it was full of fruit trees and a beautiful view.

- Sheridan, August 2025

Thank you so much for your review. It was access to great walks and great traditional pubs that lured us to Ilfracombe in the first place. The sea shanties are new but an instant hit with everyone. Property Owner
Deborah July 2025

“We had a wonderful stay at this delightful property”

- Deborah, July 2025

So good to hear you had a wonderful stay in Ilfracombe Property Owner
Kate July 2025

“A beautiful cottage in a great setting!”

The accommodation was perfect, with fabulous views from the stunning garden. Thank you!

- Kate, July 2025

We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at Crab Cottage. Property Owner
Thomas June 2025

“Absolutely fantastic cottage very comfortable and everything that we needed was there.”

Fantastic welcome pack . Very close to the harbour and high street. We had a minor problem but Charlie was fabulous and sorted us out straight away, he was very positive friendly and helpful. As we’ve been to ilfracombe before I can safely say this was our best holiday there. We will definitely book again. Thanks for a great stay.

- Thomas, June 2025

We are so glad that you are a return visitor to Ilfracombe and had such a nice time. We will make sure that Charlie and his team see your comments on the support provided. Property Owner
Teresa June 2025

“A beautiful cottage with an amazing high garden reached by steps.”

Great views. Right near harbour and amenities. Clean and comfy. Books to read and games to play. Lovely scones and jam on arrival. Heating easy to control so never chilly. Decor lovely. Spotless.

- Teresa, June 2025

Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time at the cottage. Property Owner
Nicola May 2025

“We thought it was wonderful – and perfect for two friends travelling together.”

Both of the rooms were lovely and we thought the facilities were top quality – we also liked the art and creativity on display. We had a lovely evening at the 71 bistro down the road and when we went across the road to the Olive Room, found ourselves singing sea shanties with the locals. The Tapas bar was also brilliant. All just outside the door. Communication was good (with housekeeper Charlie) and we very much appreciated his help with finding parking. The upstairs rooms are quite warm and cosy, downstairs is a little bit cooler and it's a good idea to bring some slippers. We appreciated the gas stove. We would highly recommend this to people who are fairly good on their feet, because the 30 steps up to the garden would probably be difficult for anyone who wasn't totally mobile. The view up there was lovely and I can imagine it would be a great place to bring children/dogs. We noticed how very friendly everyone was in Ilfracombe.

- Nicola, May 2025

Thank you for your lovely review. The Olive Rooms sea shanty nights have become an instant hit which we are sure many guests will enjoy. Thank you also for the tips and recommendations for future guests Property Owner
Rebecca April 2025

“We loved out stay at Crab Cottage.”

It's such a lovely property in the centre of town. It was great to have such a big garden with beautiful views over the harbour. We found it excellent value for money and would definitely recommend it as a place for a short family break.

- Rebecca, April 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely review. We will never tire of the views from the garden. Property Owner
Kathleen September 2024

“Every thing was good could not reach dust bin recycling bags in way the step to ...”

Every thing was good could not reach dust bin recycling bags in way the step to high i have trouble with high steps but everything else was perfect

- Kathleen, September 2024
Rachel September 2024

“Beautiful cottage in an amazing location.”

Very clean and welcoming. The views from the garden are just amazing. Ilfracombe town (like most towns) seems to have taken a hit, which is a shame, but it didn't spoil our stay at all, and there are so many other places to explore just a stones throw away.

- Rachel, September 2024
Colin Richard September 2024

“A perfect cottage to stay in, it has every home comfort you will need and is so close to all what Ilfracombe offers.”

Would certainly recommend.

- Colin Richard, September 2024
Alex August 2024

“Pretty cottage but didn’t stipulate the amount of steps up into the garden.”

Wouldn’t suit disabled, elderly or sausage dogs! The cottage was quite clean and well equipped but unfortunately we left after only 3 nights as the neighbours to the left were working on their property and noise was just unbearable. Working until 7pm on a Saturday evening, all day Sunday and starting at 8.30am BH. When we approached them about it… they just made it worse and then kept waving and putting thumbs up to my daughter in the garden laughing! We felt so uncomfortable. Not the owners fault who kindly gave me a small refund. I’m sure if the building work wasn’t going on it would have been lovely.

- Alex, August 2024

We are sorry that your time at Crab Cottage was affected by the work on the neighbouring property. We did check our listing as we were sure we had included a note on the number of steps up to the property and garden. It was there but we have moved the note to one of the summary bullet points so future guests will be able to pick up this information without too much scrolling. Property Owner
Lauren August 2024

“Absolutely fantastic cottage and location.”

We would definitely stay here again and recommend it to friends. Easy walking distance to everything you need but not on a noisy street. Shanty choir in the wine bar opposite on a Thursday night was great fun. The cottage had everything we needed and we wished we were staying for two weeks not just one. The back garden was enormous! And included and apple and plum tree. The owners are helpful and quick to respond (I asked them if there was an ironing board the day before our booking). My only issue would be for the people who stayed the week after us - I’m so sorry we forgot to put the bins out!

- Lauren, August 2024

Thank you so much for your kind and useful review. We use the cottage ourselves so try to keep it equipped to a family standard. Property Owner
Susan July 2024

“We had a fabulous stay at crab cottage, everything was just perfect… I would recommend that a little maintenance is carried out with the access to the garden- steps fine but the handrail was loose and the patio area had loose paving.”

Other than this we will be back xxx

- Susan, July 2024
Angela June 2024

“A beautiful relaxing and comfortable cottage in the heart of Ilfracombe.”

It was spotlessly clean, very comfortable and amazingly equipped. Making the effort to climb the steps to find the hidden gem of a garden, to take in the view in such a tranquil setting was my favourite place.

- Angela, June 2024
Wayne June 2024

“This was one off the best property we have still in ,,location lovely, can't ...”

This was one off the best property we have still in ,,location lovely, can't moan about the hills as that's Ilfracombe lovely lovely cottage

- Wayne, June 2024
Caroline April 2024

“Excellent situation between harbour and High Street”

- Caroline, April 2024
Carol March 2024

“Lovely gem of a cottage, which has everything you could possibly want including baking equipment and recipe books”

- Carol, March 2024

So glad you enjoyed staying at the cottage. Our youngest family member never likes to be too far from their baking equipment. Property Owner
Neil March 2024

“Nice cottage in good central location.”

. comfortable and cosy, quite small so just big enough for the three of us, would have been a squeeze for four (2 adults and 2 large teenagers as booked but one stayed at home) plus the pup, so manageable. Nice scones, cream, jam, milk and flowers left for arrival.. lovely gesture. For us, Ilfracombe, in parts was a little run down and there seemed to be lots of male dominated pubs up near the co-op/morrisons end of town which gave it an unsavoury feel at times.. especially at night. We also witnessed a very nasty argument on our first night outside the Weatherspoons making us wonder where we had come to! By no means the fault of the cottage but worth a mention. Fore Street seems to be the main route back from the pubs at the lower end of town and as such there is much whooping and shouting, on the weekend evenings in particular, as people leave the pubs and head back up the hill.. zero consideration! the last group headed up the hill at 3.30am on Saturday night.. not aware of any late pubs/bars but people were still out and about.. the windows and doors are old so do little to cut any noise, these also condensated a lot during our stay so were running wet much of the time. In all a lovely cottage but a little too noisy on Fore Street for our liking. The parking permit was very welcome but be aware your car is some distance from the cottage, and with the yobs racing their cars round the harbour some evenings this did worry us somewhat.. there was a lot going on for such a nice quaint place, we were very surprised. The steps outside the cottage became very slippery as the week went on as we had a lot of rain overnight (and these never had the sun on them to dry off) and seemed to get a green slick on them plus there is the slippy manhole cover to negotiate too, one of the steps is also starting to break up. The back door was a pain to lock and unlock and on the last day it was Impossible to lock so we had to contact the house keeper.. these things should really be checked and i see this has been mentioned before. In all, a lovely cosy cottage with all you could need, great shower; clean linens etc but if you dont like noise, like us, it may not be the place for you. Bring loo rolls, you only get one but most other things are provided. Enjoyed a different kind of stay being more central but would not return to this location. Maybe we hit a bad week with lots going on in Ilfracombe but we can only report what we found and this is how we found it. Also the rubbish stacked on Fore Street was unsightly. Amazed the council allow a sheet to be placed over bin bags that cats and gulls repeatedly rip open and spread rubbish along the street. If I was a resident I would want that sorting due to the rats it could attract. Seemed to be the residents of the lower terrace of cottages, everyone else seemed to use the bins and didnt stack bags on the street as they did. Have photos to show this if needed. Comms from owners before was very good and the info sent very helpful. Thank you!

- Neil, March 2024
Rebecca March 2024

“We loved our stay at Crab Cottage.”

It was in the perfect location to explore Ilfracombe and the sounding area's. It exceeded our expectations, it was spotless and we were welcomed by a lovely cream tea and flowers. The cottage had everything we needed to cook some lovely homecooked meals. The added bonus was the garden with the fantastic views over the harbour.

- Rebecca, March 2024

We are so glad to hear you had a good time. Thanks for taking the time to leave a lovely review. Property Owner
Colin December 2023

“Ideally located to explore Ilfracombe .”

Had everything we needed for a comfortable stay . Shame about the weather as it limited our access to the beautiful garden as the steps could be a bit tricky when there wet .

- Colin, December 2023
Victoria September 2023

“This is one of the nicest cottages we've stayed in: great position, well-provisioned, useful welcome pack, and lovely to have cream scones and milk waiting for us.”

The garden is a particular bonus. When I notified Lisa that the sink drained seemed to be blocked, she arranged for it to be cleared the same day. Thank you.

- Victoria, September 2023

Thank you so much for your kind feedback. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Crab Cottage so much. Property Owner
Andrew September 2023

“Fabulous Cottage, so well equipped and spotlessly clean.”

Super location. Thank you

- Andrew, September 2023

Thanks very much for the lovely feedback. I am glad you had a lovely stay. Lisa and Paul Property Owner
Anne-marie July 2023

“We found the cottage fine, our only problem was the steep stairs up to the cottage, and to the garden with the sea view.”

As we are both short, with dodgy knees, it was a bit of a challange, but our dog Alfie, loved his holiday in Ilfracombe, going to the beach everyday, despite the iffy weather, and my husband was able to go fishing. Just wish we were a bit younger for the steep hill climbs! But that is what you get in seaside towns - you don't feel it so much when you are younger. MANY THANKS for our stay at your cottage, Anne, Rob, & Alfie Churn.

- Anne-marie, July 2023

Thank you for taking the time to provide a review. We are so glad that overall you had a good time. You are right Ilfracombe has quite a few hills. Wonderful views but not all easily accessed if you have some mobility problems. We try to be clear in the listing and highlight that Crab Cottage is built into the side of one of these hills and consequently has steps up to the terrace the cottage sits on and steps up to the garden. We will take a look and review our wording. Property Owner
Ian June 2023

“Had a lovely holiday cottage was emaculate everything was there what we wanted,come in to some scones and cream which was a nice touch,only downside was the handle on the door was broken but didn't ruin our stay the garden was a bit of a climb but was worth it when you got to the top would highly recommend.”

- Ian, June 2023

Thank you so much for your review, we are so glad you had a good time .. the handle should be fixed by now. Property Owner
John May 2023

“A lovely small cottage built on the side of a hill, hence the garden sits above the villa up 30 steps.”

Here you will find a dining area set with table and chairs and great views of the bay. The property itself is very comfortable and has everything you could need. It is located some two hundred yards from the bay. This was our first visit to Ilfracombe, a lovely little bay surrounded by pubs, restaurants, and cafes. We would highly recommend St James Tea rooms on St James Place. Once away from the bay the roads wind their way uphill so beware if your mobility is limited. Would we return,.. absolutely!.

- John, May 2023

We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We think North Devon is a gem and agree it is well worth revisiting. Property Owner
Wendy May 2023

“Perfectly situated cottage for everything.”

Spotlessly clean. The Cleaner, Rosie, left us some scones, clotted cream and jam.....a lovely touch...thank you. I was a bit worried about the 30 steps to the garden but even a 70 year old with a dodgy hip managed it......with a glass of wine.

- Wendy, May 2023

We are so glad you didn't have too much trouble getting up to the garden. With the weather the way it has been last week we are quite envious .. still we will be down at the end of June. Property Owner
Anne April 2023

“This was a great base to explore the North Devon Coast and Exmoor.”

The cottage was very attractive, high spec and immaculate, many thanks to Rosie the housekeeper. The garden is amazing, with its view over the town, it must be a real asset in summer when people can sit out. There were lots of leaflets and information in the Cottage pack to give us ideas. Thanks again to Rosie, we found out that with the Marine Drive and Car Park being closed we could use the Cove Car Park near the cottage. This was an absolute boon for us and I do suggest that future bookers be offered the option of a short stay car park pass, with an extra charge of course. We had a great time, thanks again.

- Anne, April 2023
Steve March 2023

“Lovely property in an ideal location.”

Parking close by and a great tapas restaurant across the road!

- Steve, March 2023

Thank you for your feedback. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay. The Terrace Tapas has been the choice of many of our guests over the last 10 years. Property Owner
Clare December 2022

“A perfect location, close to the harbour and lovely walks.”

The large garden was a surprise. It must be lovely to sit out there and enjoy the view, but it was a bit chilly this week! The back door is rather difficult to open.

- Clare, December 2022

So glad you enjoyed your stay. Taking a walk must have been particularly bracing! Thank you for letting us know about the door. We will try to get it sorted during our winter maintenace closure. Property Owner
Shirley October 2022

“What a lovely cottage!”

Rosie the house keeper was extremely helpful (l I got lost finding the right car parking) having a cream tea with milk in the fridge and flowers was a lovely surprise. The cottage has everything you need to make you feel comfortable. The decor is to a high standard and there’s no damp. It’s very homely and warm. The kitchen has everything you need if you want to cook every day or just enjoy make snacks. Having a washing machine with tumble dryer is a great bonus especially if you get wet while walking. The shower is great and good pressure. The rooms are nice and cosy. The garden is a good hike up the steps ( which we new about and not a problem unless you have walking difficulty) and is definitely worth going up to see the views, well worth a look, I would say this cottage is great if you have older children ( just because the garden is not little children friendly ) If I had to be really picky the only thing I would say is the beds are hard. ( only because I’m used to a soft mattress) but that’s only me as everyone else in the family slept well and said they were fine ( you can’t please everyone) and as I said if I had to be really picky

- Shirley, October 2022

Thank you for taking time to provide feedback. We are so glad you had a good time. Property Owner
Carl October 2022

“The property was in a lovely location and catered for all our needs.”

It was beautifully presented and accurate to the description. Would definitely recommend and will definitely be returning. The garden was an added bonus and the views spectacular. Thank you for letting us stay at Crabb Cottage it was perfect for a week away.

- Carl, October 2022
David October 2022

“Having stayed in many cottages whilst walking the SWCP.”

This has to rate as one of the best. Immaculately clean & well presented, thanks Rosie. A nice welcome of scones, jam & clotted cream too. Good position for local aminities. Well equipped, very warm & cosy. Exceptional views from the large garden, which must look beautiful durring the summer months. Highly recommended. Thanks

- David, October 2022
Austin September 2022

“Lovely cottage with everything you need and immaculate throughout.”

Amazing views and tranquil setting in the garden . If like us you have a toddler reliant on a pushchair be aware the steps up are old and challenging even in dry conditions. The narrow cobbled street outside looks lovely but the group in the smugglers cottage opposite were loud and foul mouthed and the acoustics of the street meant even with the windows shut you heard every word. Woke us up in the wee hours on a few nights

- Austin, September 2022

So glad that overall you enjoyed your stay Crab Cottage. We are sorry to hear about the raucous visitors staying across the road. We will try to contact the owner and advise them of the disturbance caused. Property Owner
Stuart September 2022

“Crab cottage was lovely and really helped to make our holiday.”

The only 2 downsides were that the cottage was so cold even with the heating on. The radiator in the kitchen didn’t work and we couldn’t manage to get the gas fire to work. Also the back door was very hard to lock and unlock. Really enjoyed our stay.

- Stuart, September 2022

So glad you had a good time. We have checked out the heating and it is all up and running. Property Owner
Claire August 2022

“We really enjoyed our stay at crab cottage and our holiday in ilfracombe.”

The place exceeded our expectations from the listing. It was comfortable, had everything we needed and in a great location to explore the town and local area.

- Claire, August 2022
Lucy August 2022

“Crab cottage is a great holiday home.”

It's location is perfect with the best views over Ilfracombe. We had the best time.

- Lucy, August 2022
Claire July 2022

“Crab Cottage is amazing.”

Very well equipped, comfortable furniture and a lovely hidden garden with views over the quay and Verity. It kept us (a family of 4 with two older teenagers) cool in the 35deg heat, even at night with the windows closed. We had contact from the owners before and after our stay, flowers and cream tea left by the housekeeper, and communication with Sykes was also good. Can't recommend highly enough.

- Claire, July 2022
Mark July 2022

“A lovely cottage, very clean and comfortable and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay.”

The location is great too being just a short walk from the harbour, town and a number of restaurants, pubs and bars. The clotted cream scones left for us when we arrived were a nice surprise. Thanks also to Lisa and Paul for passing on information with regard to the parking permit, this was much appreciated. And as well as all that we didn’t see a cloud in the sky for the whole week we were there, we really enjoyed our stay at Crab Cottage.

- Mark, July 2022
P May 2022

“Had a great time at Crab cottage.”

Will have to return at some point in the future. Regards Paul

- P, May 2022
Laura April 2022

“Crab Cottage is a gem, beautifully presented, well-equipped, comfortable and a fabulous garden.”

The welcome cream tea was a lovely surprise. We would definitely recommend the cottage to family and friends. Ilfracombe itself wasn’t quite what we expected to be honest; rather run-down and many places stuck in the 1970’s. However there is no denying the awesomeness of the coastline and landscape. The Terrace Tapas Bar down the road was the only foodie highlight although the restaurant next door is doubtless also fabulous although not open whilst we were there.

- Laura, April 2022
Sean March 2022

“Crab Cottage was presented very nicely and the information provided by Lisa and Paul was excellent.”

You can tell that the cottage is well loved by the owners. It is ideally placed to explore Ilfracombe and the surrounding areas such as Woolacombe, Croyde and Lynton

- Sean, March 2022
Barbara March 2022

“We had a lovely time at Crab Cottage - really comfortable, clean and welcoming.”

The cream tea package was a great touch and the garden with its views over the harbour and town is fab. Thank you!

- Barbara, March 2022
Colin November 2021

“What a beautiful cottage this is.”

very chocolate box and a fantastic place. Would recommend this place to everyone

- Colin, November 2021
Elizabeth September 2021

“From stepping inside, I was so impressed, of how amazing the cottage was.”

The garden although a bit high. Every thing was still perfect and tranquil. Thanyou

- Elizabeth, September 2021
Kathryn August 2021

“Lovely hoilday.”

Cottage was fabulous everything you needed was there even a welcome basket of scones, jam and clotted cream and a bottle of milk. Only downside was the steps leading to the garden (which we were aware of) but there was only one handrail and a shear drop on the other side which we considered to be quite dangerous.

- Kathryn, August 2021
Alex August 2021

“Beautiful cottage in an amazing location.”

Fabulous views from the garden - though steps maybe an issue for those with mobility problems! Only issue is that when looking to book for next year (which we would have loved to do!) the price has more than doubled!!! It’s really disappointing when companies take advantage of the current pandemic to make huge profits!!

- Alex, August 2021
Polly July 2021

“Very well equipped cottage in a great position.”

Very clean and ideal for a week with our family. Lovely garden with beautiful views. It is steep but an amazing find in the middle of town.

- Polly, July 2021
Yvonne July 2021

“The cottage had everything one would require.”

Lovely big bedrooms. Kitchen, dining and living room good size. Great views from the garden, although steep. ( Which we were aware of ) I think a little work on the the garden, to make it more dog friendly would be great. But overall, the cottage was great, would book again.

- Yvonne, July 2021
Amanda June 2021

“Comfortable clean cottage.”

. had everything we needed for a home from home stay. We were able to enjoy the lovely views from the garden as we had great weather! Not for anyone who’s not good on their feet as there is a lot of climbing especially in the garden but that has already been pointed out.

- Amanda, June 2021
Debbie June 2021

“Great location, and the property was immaculately clean.”

- Debbie, June 2021
Sally April 2021

“Have stayed at Crab Cottage quite a few times now and it is a lovely and in a great location.”

We have always found it to be spotlessly clean. We usually like to holiday outside of the school holidays when it's a bit quieter. For this stay (that was moved from 2019 due to the pandemic) I chose the week after the school Easter holidays although the Friday we arrived was the last day of the school holidays. So I don't understand why we paid a higher price for this week?

- Sally, April 2021
Kara September 2020

“Had the most amazing holiday in the this little gem of a stay.”

Perfect location, gorgeous cottage- Amazing views from the garden, fresh flours and scones on arrival. We are these in the garden admiring the views. The cottage was spotless and had all the amenities you could ask for and more - a true home from home. Would recommend to anyone wishing to stay in Ilfracombe and would stay here again. Wish we could have stayed for longer!

- Kara, September 2020
Robert March 2020

“Beautiful, clean, cosy fully equipped cottage.”

Right down to the very large fluffy bath towels! We will be back- great centre to explore from, close to amenities & town but in a quiet road.

- Robert, March 2020
Marian November 2019

“Fab cottage, couldn't have asked for more, and even a Devon Cream Tea and flowers were awaiting us - very welcome after a long drive.”

- Marian, November 2019
Simon November 2019

“Excellent location in a pretty part of Ilfracombe.”

We arrived to flowers and cream tea from Rosie, very nice touch thank you Rosie. The gas log fire in the lounge made for cozy nights in when it rained and the views from the garden were amazing. There is nothing that you really need to take as far as utensils etc as they are all included and the cafetière was a welcome find. The smart TV also had Netflix and Amazon Video and there we a huge selection of books, DVD's and games if you wanted a night in. The reserved parking spot at the museum was very welcome. Plenty of local restaurants, pubs and takeaways all within walking distance too. We had a lovely time and will try to return again in the future.

- Simon, November 2019
James October 2019

“This is our first holiday on home soil in about 30 years !”

! We chose to rent a cottage in Ilfracombe as we have family in the area and have just become owners of a little dog. The cottage was very central and within walking distance to pubs, restaurants all of which we found to be dog friendly and open for business even out of season. The cottage its self was clean and spacious with everything we could wish to have, the flowers and scones we found on arrival were a lovely touch and the parking space in the local car park was an added bonus as parking outside the cottage is not an option. All in all we really do intend to return to Ilfracombe and indeed Crab Cottage early next year.

- James, October 2019
Sharon September 2019

“Really well situated and well-equipped cottage that had a properly homely feel about it.”

- Sharon, September 2019
Steven September 2019

“Lovely cottage right in the middle of Ilfracombe.”

Close to all the shops, sites and restaurants. Parking a bit out of the way but all things considered it wasn’t an issue.

- Steven, September 2019
Matt August 2019

“An enjoyable stay by a family of 4.”

The cottage was clean, cosy and well presented with everything we needed. Lots of up to date information on things to see and do in the area. Nice selection of books, games and DVDs to pass the time between exploring north Devon. I had reservations about the parking arrangements, but it worked out very well. Loading and unloading (unless you get lucky with a spot in the loading bay at the top of the road) will completely block Fore Street. With fewer than a handful of cars per hour passing by (at its busiest), you're unlikely to inconvenience anyone for long. Parking is in a good sized reserved space no more than a 5 minute walk away, though vegetation tumbling over the adjacent wall restricted the width somewhat during our visit. The space is directly outside Illfracombe Museum (worth a visit too!). As you look out to sea, the museum is located to the left of the Landmark Theatre (the building reminiscent of cooling towers on the sea front). Take the road directly opposite Emmanuel Church. On one occasion we returned to find a blue badge holder occupying the space, so paid 40p to park up and had to pop back to move the car again later. No big deal. The steps up to the property might present problems for those unsteady on their feet, but were no problems to us. Occasionally noisy at night with people leaving nearby eateries. Gulls could be very loud indeed, but I guess that comes with the location! Overall, I would have no hesitation in recommending Crab Cottage.

- Matt, August 2019
Alice July 2019

“The garden and terrace attached to this property are just beautiful and the excellent weather allowed us to make the most of them!”

- Alice, July 2019
Victoria May 2019

“Crab Cottage is in a great location, just a few minutes walk from the harbour and with a great variety of restaurants and bars on the doorstep, we particularly enjoyed the Tapas at the Terrace restaurant across the street from the cottage.”

The added touch of cream teas on arrival (thank you Rosie), plus milk, tea and coffee was a nice welcome. We loved our stay at Crab Cottage , the dogs enjoyed the freedom of the garden and the views from there over Ilfracombe are super. We had a great holiday and would not hesitate to return.

- Victoria, May 2019
Harriet April 2019

“Fantastic location for us with 2 kids and a dog.”

Lovely base to be able to explore a lovely area. The cottage was charming - with the secret garden a delightful lookout. Had everything that we needed - and of course the cream tea welcome was wonderful!

- Harriet, April 2019
Ben November 2018

“Crab Cottage is a beautiful well maintained cottage in a perfect location.”

- Ben, November 2018
Michael August 2018

“The cottage was exactly as described , Great location , would definitely return again :-) we had a wonderful week”

- Michael, August 2018
Catherine July 2018

“The cottage is located in the centre of Ilfracombe, which is a traditional holiday town.”

As the street only allows cars and vehicles for drop off and collection, the area could be classed as pedestrianised, which allows a relaxed feel. The accomodation is very comfortable and probably the cleanest I have encountered through Sykes. We have a dog, but there is neither smell or trace of dogs in the cottage, which is great and a testament to the quality of cleanliness. This has been a favourite holiday of ours. Whether enjoying relaxing on the garden patio, with fantastic views, or walking on one of the many scenic routes nearby, it has thoroughly been a super break. Thank you to the owners of the property and Rosie for providing such a special stay.

- Catherine, July 2018
Teresa July 2018

“Always the most exceptional cleanliness and comfort.”

Amazing garden and seating area with beautiful views. Can't fault it. Scones and jam and flowers on arrival. We have never found a place to equal it in 40 years of holidays.

- Teresa, July 2018
Natalie July 2018

“Beautiful cottage.”

Very clean and well equipped. A home from home. We loved staying in the cottage, we especially enjoyed sitting on the raised terraced overlooking the bay.

- Natalie, July 2018
Victoria June 2018

“Perfect cottage, very well presented, fully equipped and convenient for the local amenities and for driving to other places of interest in North Devon.”

Ilfracombe is very dog friendly and most shops, bars, cafes and restaurants allow dogs. Can definitely recommend.The welcome of a cream tea, flowers, milk, tea, coffee and sugar and tablets for the dishwasher and washing machine were very much appreciated. The parking space is not at the cottage which we had originally assumed it would be but not really a problem as easily accessed for unloading on arrival and for leaving etc. A permit is given for a car park by the museum. We had two cars so a second permit was bought at the Toutist Office near the museum for £12 for 4 days and was even closer at the end of the road by the harbour so none of this was a problem.

- Victoria, June 2018
Claire June 2018

“Great cottage in a great location.”

Well equipped ,immaculate, and overall a comfy holiday home. The front entrance to the cottage and also the back garden are accessed via some quite steep steps so wouldn’t be practical for any persons with mobility issues. The garden is large with a fabulous sea view of the harbour.The cottage is on the doorstep to all the local amenities in the town just a few minutes stroll from the shops, pubs and harbour. There is no parking outside the cottage, however you can load/unload your car, before moving it to an allocated reserved car parking space a 5-10minute walk away. A lovely welcome gesture on arrival by the owner of fresh flowers and a Devon cream tea.

- Claire, June 2018
Miles March 2018

“Everything about the holiday was excellent and the lady looking after the property was very welcoming and we enjoyed the cottage very much and would defineately go there again and recommend it to others.”

A loveley cottage and ideal if you are taking a dog aswell. Very clean and well maintained. Parking the car was excellent aswell.

- Miles, March 2018
B March 2018

“Crab Cottage is a wonderful character-filled cottage in Fore Street in Ilfracombe.”

It is warm, welcoming, spacious and spotlessly clean. The steps up to the terrace to the property were a bit of a challenge, as were the steps to the garden, but we would nevertheless love stay there again.

- B, March 2018
A February 2018

“Absolutely fantastic location and cottage/garden views, maybe be aware that bathroom door can be seen through (gaps between boards).”

- A, February 2018
David November 2017

“Not for the infirm or people with mobility problems!”

Where in the description does it say that the property is halfway up a steep hill? A local resident told us that the museum car park (pass provided) had had a series of car break-ins - we were worried about the car all the time we were there!

- David, November 2017
Ian October 2017

“Great location, lovely cottage,nice little town.”

- Ian, October 2017

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Summary

Two bedrooms, One king-size and one twin (3ft beds), Kitchen with spacious dining area, Lounge with traditional gas stove, one bathroom with shower over the bath.
Electric oven and gas hob, full size fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and a washer/dryer
Smart TV with ChromeCast, WiFi, DVD player and DVDs, games, jigsaws and books
Small outside space with table and chairs to the front of house
Large garden with patio, furniture and extensive sea and coastal views to the rear of house
Numerous public car parks within easy walking distance - full details will be sent in advance of your stay
Pubs, shops and beach 200 metres
One well behaved dog welcome
Note: Crab Cottage sits on a terrace cut into banks of historic Fore Street, there are 10 steps up from the road to the terrace and there are a further 30 steps to climb to appreciate the magnificent views from the garden.

The property

Situated on Ilfracombe's oldest street, Crab Cottage is the perfect place for families or couples to enjoy a classic holiday. Whether it is walking the coastal path, taking a boat trip from Ilfracombe's vibrant harbour or visiting the fascinating Tunnels Beaches - you will find everything is just a short stroll away from Crab Cottage. Ilfracombe is also a great place to base yourself to explore all North Devon has to offer including great surfing, wonderful walks or appreciating one of the quaint villages that are within easy reach. After a day out you will return to a cosy and well equipped cottage.

On the cooler days you might light the living room stove and curl up in front of the smart TV.

On a bright warm evening you might choose to take a refreshing drink on the patio in Crab Cottage's surprisingly large garden and appreciate the wide ranging coastal views. Alongside the lounge is a spacious kitchen diner equipped with all you need to prepare your favourite home cooked meals.

Ilfracombe has many local shops to buy seasonal produce, including the fish shop on the Harbour. Upstairs there is room for four, with a king sized double in the main bedroom and 3 foot singles in the twin room.

Throughout you will find artwork displayed, the majority of which has been bought from the many art and craft shops that Ilfracombe artists operate from. Step out of Crab Cottage and take advantage of the numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants that can be found in easy walking distance.

Drop into the museum, aquarium, theatre or cinema.

Take in the views from the top of Capstone hill or Lantern Hill which overlooks Damien Hirst's Verity statue.

At Crab Cottage you will find so much on your doorstep.

Please note: This property does not accept 1 night bookings
Please note: From the end of September, check in days will be Mondays,
Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

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About the location

ILFRACOMBE

Barnstaple 11 miles.

The bustling seaside town of Ilfracombe lies on a beautiful stretch of North Devon coastline, with five beaches, much of it owned by the National Trust. Ilfracombe is only a ten minute drive from Exmoor National Park, with its rolling countryside and quaint villages. Ilfracombe's heritage harbour and quay are spectacular, with many pubs, shops and restaurants and frequent live music, creating a lively, friendly atmosphere. From here, take a wildlife cruise, a fishing trip or a boat trip to magical Lundy Island, a place of natural beauty, which will provide you with an unforgettable experience. Ilfracombe is the centre for some of the finest walking country in England. Whether you enjoy a gentle promenade walk around Capstone Hill, tackling the rugged coastal path or prefer the river valleys and tranquillity of the moorland hills of Exmoor, you will find the scenery spectacular. Ilfracombe also boasts a number of high-quality eateries, with local fish being prominent on their menus. To the east of Ilfracombe are the unique villages of Lynton and Lynmouth with its clifftop railway, and to the west lie the delights of Clovelly and Hartland. Moreover just a short drive away is the 3 mile long golden beach of Woolacombe Bay, which was been voted one of the top 20 beaches in the world, the perfect place to relax in the sun or catch some waves surfing. Ilfracombe is the perfect location for a North Devon holiday, offering you a gateway to an exciting blend of stunning coastal scenery, seaside fun, rural tranquillity and centuries of heritage and style.

Please note: This property does not accept 1 night bookings
Please note: From the end of September, check in days will be Mondays,
Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Christmas

Your selection:

Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Lovely cottage.”

“Crab Cottage is a charming, well equipped, comfortable home from home.”

“We had a wonderful stay at this delightful property”

“A beautiful cottage in a great setting!”

“Absolutely fantastic cottage very comfortable and everything that we needed was there.”

“A beautiful cottage with an amazing high garden reached by steps.”

“We thought it was wonderful – and perfect for two friends travelling together.”

“We loved out stay at Crab Cottage.”

“Every thing was good could not reach dust bin recycling bags in way the step to ...”

“Beautiful cottage in an amazing location.”

“A perfect cottage to stay in, it has every home comfort you will need and is so close to all what Ilfracombe offers.”

“Pretty cottage but didn’t stipulate the amount of steps up into the garden.”

“Absolutely fantastic cottage and location.”

“We had a fabulous stay at crab cottage, everything was just perfect… I would recommend that a little maintenance is carried out with the access to the garden- steps fine but the handrail was loose and the patio area had loose paving.”

“A beautiful relaxing and comfortable cottage in the heart of Ilfracombe.”

“This was one off the best property we have still in ,,location lovely, can't ...”

“Excellent situation between harbour and High Street”

“Lovely gem of a cottage, which has everything you could possibly want including baking equipment and recipe books”

“Nice cottage in good central location.”

“We loved our stay at Crab Cottage.”

“Ideally located to explore Ilfracombe .”

“This is one of the nicest cottages we've stayed in: great position, well-provisioned, useful welcome pack, and lovely to have cream scones and milk waiting for us.”

“Fabulous Cottage, so well equipped and spotlessly clean.”

“We found the cottage fine, our only problem was the steep stairs up to the cottage, and to the garden with the sea view.”

“A lovely small cottage built on the side of a hill, hence the garden sits above the villa up 30 steps.”

“Perfectly situated cottage for everything.”

“This was a great base to explore the North Devon Coast and Exmoor.”

“Lovely property in an ideal location.”

“A perfect location, close to the harbour and lovely walks.”

“What a lovely cottage!”

“The property was in a lovely location and catered for all our needs.”

“Having stayed in many cottages whilst walking the SWCP.”

“Lovely cottage with everything you need and immaculate throughout.”

“Crab cottage was lovely and really helped to make our holiday.”

“We really enjoyed our stay at crab cottage and our holiday in ilfracombe.”

“Crab cottage is a great holiday home.”

“Crab Cottage is amazing.”

“A lovely cottage, very clean and comfortable and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay.”

“Had a great time at Crab cottage.”

“Crab Cottage is a gem, beautifully presented, well-equipped, comfortable and a fabulous garden.”

“Crab Cottage was presented very nicely and the information provided by Lisa and Paul was excellent.”

“We had a lovely time at Crab Cottage - really comfortable, clean and welcoming.”

“What a beautiful cottage this is.”

“From stepping inside, I was so impressed, of how amazing the cottage was.”

“Lovely hoilday.”

“Beautiful cottage in an amazing location.”

“Very well equipped cottage in a great position.”

“The cottage had everything one would require.”

“Comfortable clean cottage.”

“Great location, and the property was immaculately clean.”

“Have stayed at Crab Cottage quite a few times now and it is a lovely and in a great location.”

“Had the most amazing holiday in the this little gem of a stay.”

“Beautiful, clean, cosy fully equipped cottage.”

“Fab cottage, couldn't have asked for more, and even a Devon Cream Tea and flowers were awaiting us - very welcome after a long drive.”

“Excellent location in a pretty part of Ilfracombe.”

“This is our first holiday on home soil in about 30 years !”

“Really well situated and well-equipped cottage that had a properly homely feel about it.”

“Lovely cottage right in the middle of Ilfracombe.”

“An enjoyable stay by a family of 4.”

“The garden and terrace attached to this property are just beautiful and the excellent weather allowed us to make the most of them!”

“Crab Cottage is in a great location, just a few minutes walk from the harbour and with a great variety of restaurants and bars on the doorstep, we particularly enjoyed the Tapas at the Terrace restaurant across the street from the cottage.”

“Fantastic location for us with 2 kids and a dog.”

“Crab Cottage is a beautiful well maintained cottage in a perfect location.”

“The cottage was exactly as described , Great location , would definitely return again :-) we had a wonderful week”

“The cottage is located in the centre of Ilfracombe, which is a traditional holiday town.”

“Always the most exceptional cleanliness and comfort.”

“Beautiful cottage.”

“Perfect cottage, very well presented, fully equipped and convenient for the local amenities and for driving to other places of interest in North Devon.”

“Great cottage in a great location.”

“Everything about the holiday was excellent and the lady looking after the property was very welcoming and we enjoyed the cottage very much and would defineately go there again and recommend it to others.”

“Crab Cottage is a wonderful character-filled cottage in Fore Street in Ilfracombe.”

“Absolutely fantastic location and cottage/garden views, maybe be aware that bathroom door can be seen through (gaps between boards).”

“Not for the infirm or people with mobility problems!”

“Great location, lovely cottage,nice little town.”

Summary

The property

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