THE SELF-GUIDED HERITAGE TRAIL
Welcome to the project’s self-guided heritage trail taking you on a journey of Ilfracombe’s hidden or forgotten multicultural heritage.
The tour begins at the town’s museum which opened in 1932 before heading past the bandstand to the harbour. This is the scene of many shipwrecks including that of the HMS London in 1796 and the Spanish vessel SS Monte Gurugu in 1949.
After the extension of the pier in 1820 the town gained a new lease of life. In the next 30 years the town’s population had almost trebled to more than 5000 residents. With the opening of The Ilfracombe Hotel in 1867 and the Ilfracombe Railway in 1870, this small stretch along the coast truly came into its own.
With the tourist industry came the need for workers necessary to support it and individuals from all walks of life moved to Ilfracombe to make their fortune, find a community, perform, entertain and seek safe refuge.
Musicians such as George Klee, Philip Becker and the Hahn family settled in the town. During World War II the refugee musicians of the North Devon Royal Pioneer Corps donated over £300 to the hospital, allowing it to stay open. A plaque was put up in their honour.