Clovelly: Visit a Picturesque Seaside Village in England
Since shortly after the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the charming fishing village of Clovelly has been privately owned. Once the property of William the Conqueror, Clovelly alternated between royal and private ownership until the village was inherited by the Hamlyn family in the late 1800s. Descendants of the Hamlyn family still run Clovelly today. For a small fee, visitors can enter Clovelly and explore one of England‘s most picturesque seaside villages.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Visiting Clovelly Village is like stepping back in time. The quaint village—which rests on a 400-foot cliff and features cobblestone streets lined with vibrant flowerpots—does not have any motorized traffic. Residents of Clovelly construct homemade wooden sledges to haul produce, household items, and trash along a steep road that is known as Up-Along or Down-Along, depending on which way you’re schlepping your sledge.
For centuries, donkeys served as beasts of burden in Clovelly’s streets. Thanks to the popularity of wooden sledges, Clovelly’s donkeys now enjoy a comfortable retirement in a stable that overlooks the village. Visitors can enjoy some quality time with Clovelly’s playful donkeys. For a small fee, you can even adopt a donkey. Donkey adoption includes a photo of your donkey, biannual donkey updates, a stack of donkey-themed postcards, and a link to a live feed where you can check up on your donkey.
Clovelly Village is home to two hotels—The New Inn and The Red Lion. The New Inn features cozy rooms with sweeping views of the sea. The Red Lion celebrates Clovelly’s heritage as a fishing village. The Red Lion is home to The Harbor Restaurant which serves fresh seafood, including locally sourced lobster. Visitors can also eat a vegetarian or vegan meal prepared with fresh vegetables that were grown at Clovelly Court Gardens.
Clovelly Court Gardens is a well-manicured garden that is home to several Victorian greenhouses where visitors can admire and pick delectable fruits and vegetables. There is even a path known as the Woodland Walk where visitors can stroll beneath the shade of towering trees as they walk from Clovelly Village to Clovelly Court Gardens.
Clovelly Village is the perfect spot for a seaside getaway where you can enjoy panoramic seaside views, explore boutiques that sell artisanal items such a soap, pottery, and silk scarves, and listen to live music on the harbour. Admiring the emerald waters and verdant forests that surround Clovelly Village is a travel memory that you will forever cherish.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Clovelly village, North Devon, England, United Kingdom (village-area reference)
- Coordinates
- 50.998, -4.3988
- Access
- The operator’s standard route is on foot from the Visitor Centre; the main cobbled street is steep (about a 20% gradient) and may be slippery. Clovelly is privately owned, and its paid village ticket covers public visitor areas. A Land Rover service operates seasonally, Easter to the end of October per the 2026 leaflet, but confirm times with the operator; independent winter business hours vary. Do not rely on unverified alternate paths as public access.
- Admission
- For March 1, 2026–February 28, 2027, the live operator ticket page lists adult £10.90, ages 7–16 £6.25, under 7 free, and a family ticket for two adults plus two children at £27. Admission includes parking, village entry, gardens, museums and film, with a free return within seven days. A 2026 operator leaflet instead lists £6.50 for children and £28 for the family ticket; prices conflict, so check the live ticket page before visiting.
- Time needed
- Allow about 2–3 hours for a village visit, including time for the steep street and harbour. The operator recommends watching its 20-minute history film; add time for the gardens and museums if open.
- Best season
- The operator does not designate a weather-based best season. It says off-peak visits are quieter. The Court Gardens are seasonal (April 1–September 30 in the operator’s FAQ), while the village itself is open most of the year. Check business and Land Rover schedules for winter visits.
- Opening hours
- The operator’s 2026 schedule: Jan 1–Apr 2 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Apr 3–May 22 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; May 23–Aug 31 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sep 1–Oct 23 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Oct 24–Nov 1 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Nov 2–Dec 31 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with winter closing times variable. Closed Christmas Day. Shops and other independent businesses set their own hours.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-28
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-13
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom. Use arrow keys to pan when the map is focused.
Interactive map loads when in view.
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
