Photography enthusiasts, creative minds and curious visitors are invited to experience Ilfracombe from a new perspective this autumn, as bookings open for the town’s first photography festival.
The Ilfracombe Photography Festival will take place across the town on 10th and 11th October 2026, with additional activities scheduled during the days leading up to the main weekend.
Bringing together free exhibitions, practical workshops, inspiring talks, guided photo walks and film screenings, the festival promises to transform Ilfracombe into a town-wide celebration of photography and visual storytelling.
Photography Workshops and Photo Walks in Ilfracombe
Visitors can now book places on a varied programme of creative experiences suitable for different ages and levels of ability.
Whether you are an experienced photographer, are learning how to use your first camera or simply enjoy taking photographs on your phone, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved.
The programme includes:
- Traditional darkroom experiences
- Pinhole photography and camera obscura sessions
- Seascape and nature photography walks
- Astrophotography and underwater photography
- Cyanotype printing
- Bookmaking and zine-making workshops
- Wet plate and 3D photography demonstrations
- Museum archive tours
- Talks exploring photography, art and visual culture
Some workshops require advance booking, while several activities are free or available as drop-in sessions. Places on the smaller workshops are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Explore the full programme and book Ilfracombe Photography Festival workshops, talks and photo walks.
With its historic harbour, colourful streets, dramatic cliffs and sweeping coastal views, Ilfracombe provides a striking backdrop for a photography festival.
Guided walks will encourage visitors to capture the North Devon coast, discover the natural landscape around Hillsborough and explore Ilfracombe’s architectural heritage. Other sessions will reveal the creative possibilities of everything from traditional film photography to modern mobile phones.
Festival organiser Paul Bateman said:
“Opening bookings for our workshops, talks, films and photo walks is an exciting moment. The programme shows just how varied photography can be, from darkroom processes and seascapes to underwater images, archive photographs, astrophotography and film.
“We want the festival to feel welcoming to everyone. Some people will come with years of photography experience, some will come with a mobile phone, and others may simply want to enjoy the exhibitions, talks and stories behind the images.”
Talks, Demonstrations and Photography Films
The festival programme will bring photographers, artists and specialists together to discuss their work, techniques and ideas.
Subjects will range from the challenges of astrophotography and photographing the underwater world around North Devon to coastal conservation, artificial intelligence and the relationship between photography and poetry.
Visitors can also watch demonstrations of historic photographic techniques and hear the stories behind ambitious creative projects, including Jack Lowe’s The Lifeboat Station Project.
Two acclaimed documentaries will be screened at The Lantern in the run-up to the main festival weekend:
- Finding Vivian Maier on Wednesday, 7th October
- I Am Martin Parr on Thursday, 8th October
Tickets for the screenings can be reserved through the festival programme and box office.
Free Photography Exhibitions Across Ilfracombe
Alongside the bookable activities, visitors will be able to explore free exhibitions at venues throughout Ilfracombe.
The announced programme includes The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe, the Ravilious Archive of North Devon Life, A Path to the Past by Dapper & Jude, astrophotography by Chris Woodhouse and underwater photography by Maggs Ashton.
Other exhibitions and showcases will feature work by established artists, local photographers, Ilfracombe Academy students, community groups and emerging creative talent.
The festival is designed to be enjoyed as visitors explore the town, creating opportunities to discover Ilfracombe’s independent venues, cultural spaces, seafront and harbour along the way.
Enter the Ilfracombe Photography Competition
Budding photographers can also enter the festival’s free photography competition, sponsored by Saal Digital.
There are separate Adult and Under-18 categories, with a £100 printing voucher available to the winner of each. Winning photographs and runners-up will be professionally printed for exhibition, while every eligible entrant will receive a 30% Saal Digital printing discount voucher valid for multiple orders over one year.
Entries should respond to one of the festival’s themes—Place or Vision—and the competition is open to amateur and professional photographers. The closing date is midnight on 23rd September 2026.
Read the rules and enter the Ilfracombe Photography Festival competition.
Plan Your Visit to Ilfracombe Photography Festival
Ilfracombe Photography Festival takes place on Saturday, 10th and Sunday, 11th October 2026, with selected films, tours and workshops beginning earlier in the week.
Many exhibitions and activities are free, although tickets may still be required for some sessions. Visitors planning to attend a workshop, talk, screening or guided walk are encouraged to book early.
Find the complete programme, exhibition announcements, competition information and visitor details on the Ilfracombe Photography Festival website.
Why not make a weekend of it? Explore places to stay in Ilfracombe and enjoy North Devon’s coast, attractions and hospitality alongside the festival.
