Wildersmouth Beach (Ilfracombe) (Capstone)

Wildersmouth beach is a pretty sand and shingle beach very close to the town in Ilfracombe.  It lies in a sheltered cove with rocks and a rocky cliff on the western side (turning right as you face the sea) and views over Ilfracombe looking east.  At high tide the beach is almost completely submerged by water.  In times gone by the sheltered bay was a popular haunt for smugglers.

The cove is backed by a stone sea-wall.  A promenade runs behind the cove and the South-West Coast Path crosses the beach. The East Wilder and West Wilder streams, which converge in the town, pass into the sea via a tunnel at Wildersmouth beach. 

Despite its proximity to the town, this beach gets less busy than many of the longer, sandier beaches in the area.  It is particularly dog-friendly, and dogs will enjoy nosing around the rocks and splashing in the water.  There are also a fair number of dog-friendly cafes and pubs in nearby Ilfracombe.

Ilfracombe Tourist Information Office is just a short walk away and the local museum behind that offers visitors some insight into the locality as well as being home to some fascinating curiosities from around the world (including a shrunken head and a collection of pickled bats).