Ilfracombe Coast Week will take place from Saturday 30 May to Sunday 7 June 2026, bringing together a packed programme of coastal activities, heritage, art, wildlife, water safety, boat trips, workshops, talks and family-friendly experiences across the town.

Created to celebrate Ilfracombe’s remarkable harbour and coastline, the week will offer something for residents, visitors, families, community groups and local schools, with the full timetable available as an attachment and online at https://www.visitilfracombe.co.uk/series/ilfracombe-coast-week/.

One of the standout media opportunities will be on Thursday 4 June, when the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, P.S. Waverley, will operate a free sailing for 500 local primary school children from Ilfracombe. The visit highlights Ilfracombe’s long connection with paddle steamers and the Bristol Channel’s maritime heritage.

Paul Semple, Managing Director of Waverley Excursions, said:

“Given the long association Waverley has with Ilfracombe we wanted to offer something back to the town and wider community. I am therefore delighted that so many schools have taken up the free offer to come for a trip on the ship with some incorporating Waverley and the history of the paddle steamers that once served Ilfracombe into their curriculum.”

The week also includes scuba trial sessions with Easy Divers for local youth groups, with the first session taking place on Sunday 31 May, giving young people the chance to experience diving in the safe and supported environment of an outdoor pool.

Across the week, Ilfracombe Coast Week will feature a wide range of activities and events, including VR headset experiences, guided walks with the National Trust, Ramblers Association and Wander Women, talks covering the RNLI, local history and coastal heritage, plus art sessions, chocolate making, cookery workshops, boat trips, watersports, nature activities and family-friendly events.

The programme has been designed to reflect Ilfracombe’s unique coastal character, from its working harbour and dramatic cliffs to its creative community, local businesses and strong maritime traditions.

Paul Bateman of Ilfracombe & District Business and Tourism Association, which runs Visit Ilfracombe, said:

“Ilfracombe Coast Week is about celebrating everything that makes this town special: the harbour, the coastline, the people, the wildlife, the stories and the sense of adventure. We wanted to create a week that residents can be proud of and visitors can really get stuck into, whether that’s stepping aboard a boat, joining a guided walk, trying something new in the water, discovering local history or taking part in a creative workshop. It’s also a brilliant opportunity to showcase the businesses, volunteers and organisations who help make Ilfracombe such a distinctive coastal destination.”

Organisers hope the week will encourage people to explore more of Ilfracombe, discover new activities and attractions, and learn more about the coast in a safe, engaging and memorable way.