The Harbour Lights


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The Harbour Lights descritpion


This charming Victorian guest house is situated in the heart of Ilfracombe’s picturesque Heritage Harbour and on the route of the South West Coast Path.
All rooms feature an en suite bathroom, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV and free tea and coffee. Some also have spectacular sea or harbour views.
Dating from 1896, the building retains many original Victorian features, with its central staircase and sash windows still in place alongside the house's numerous updated and modern facilities.
Full English breakfasts are available in the morning, alongside a wide choice including home-made smoothies, oak-smoked haddock, poached eggs or vegetarian breakfasts.

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Facilities of The Harbour Lights

Pets :Pets are not allowed.

Activities :Golf Course (within 2 miles) | Hiking | Library

Food & Drink :Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet :Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking :Public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and costs GBP 3 per day.

Services :Packed Lunches | Baggage Storage

General :Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reviews for The Harbour Lights

Review 1:Noisy at night ...don't expect to sleep much before 1am on Friday or Saturday when pubs next door kick out.

Review 2:Great location for exploring area and hosts were very friendly and helpful. Dinner is worth a punt too.

Review 3:It would have been nice if there had been a few more people in the restaurant, but understandable as we were late season.

Review 4:The Harbour Lights has a friendly, casual atmosphere – due to being run by a close family. Ideal location and comfortable.

Review 5:Parking was almost half a mile away in public long stay car park.

Review 6:Excellent Family Room (Room 3) was actually a ' mini-suite' Breakfast was excellent. Dinner menu not extensive but food very good

Review 7:eveningmeal a tadpricey but hey we chose to dine there

Review 8:Abs lovely family run establishment made to feel very welcome could not do enough for us ruthid a little sweetie

Review 9:We arrived to such a warm welcome the owners couldn't do enough for us. The location & facilities were excellent along with a superb breakfast. I would highly recommend the Harbour Lights and hope to stay there again in the future.

Review 10:Car park was slightly hard to find and approx 300m from the Hotel. Though they do let you unload your bags and get comfortable before you have to park elsewhere.

Review 11:Very helpful staff

Review 12:Nothing.

Review 13:Fabulous place to stay in Ilfracombe next to the Harbour. A well presented small family run B&B, excellent value for money. Amazing breakfast with fresh made smoothies!!! Nothing was too much trouble. I would recommend to anyone and hopefully revisit on day.

Review 14:Not very good wifi

Review 15:Courtesy call on day of arrival, early check in. Informative and welcoming check in. Room was clean and breakfast nice ☺. Friendly staff

Review 16:The views and location were brilliant it was close to everything! We parked the car the day we got there and didn't use it until the day we left. Staff were so friendly and helpful nothing was to much trouble.

Review 17:Nothing was bad at all at the hotel, if I was to be picky though, the bed was far to firm for my preference and I could feel the springs through which was uncomfortable.

Review 18:Great location! Great staff! Great family room! Great value for money!

Review 19:Previous reviews had mentioned the seagulls and the pub across the road disturbing their sleep, as we stayed Monday and Tuesday night we had no problems from the pub but the seagull spoiled our stay. The breakfast was limited, you had to order and they only served breakfast between 8am - 9.30, with 2 small children we needed to be up by 7am to make the most of breakfast.

Review 20:The location was fantastic, central and convenient for exploring the local sites. The hotel itself was traditional, I'm a very old building in keeping with most of the other properties in the area and the owners had tried their best to decorate the hotel to their taste but it was very basic.

Review 21:Maybe nit-picking but beds not made properly just tidied up

Review 22:Fantastic family run hotel , great breakfasts and nothings too much trouble for Steve,Ruth and Nick, and the location just off the harbour.

Review 23:That we couldn't stay longer!!

Review 24:Very relaxing and comfortable stay. Excellent customer service- lovely staff, very friendly. Spotlessly clean and tidy. Great breakfast and evening restaurant with its fresh fish on the menu was fantastic.

Review 25:Parking and arriving with luggage as you cannot park outside and unload although it is very nar to pay and display car park. As we had lots of clotehs on hangers ( wedding visit) it was a little difcult negociating through town centre from car park

Review 26:The location itself was good as its in middle of town and harbour. The excellent breakfast and helpful staff. I would stay again

Review 27:Parking is the main issue as the only long stay car park is some distance away up a steep hill. However the owners greeted us and gave us a parking permit for 15 minutes while we unloaded.

Review 28:The owners were really friendly and went out of their way to ensure we had a comfortable stay and everything we needed. The room was very clean and comfortable, the en suite had a bath as well as a shower, the bed was made daily, clean towels supplied daily and tea coffee and milk were replenished. Breakfast was excellent with freshly made fruit smoothies and a vegetarian option available.

Review 29:Not so good wifi but life gose on.

Review 30:Loved the breakfast, everything you could want, my room may have been at the top, but I had a bath and a view of the sea......oh and free ear plugs for the morning seagull, brilliant idea thank you.

Review 31:Small downfall... a little noise from the pub opposite and having no fridge in the rooms.

Review 32:The owners. So warm and friendly and very accommodating. Lovely people. And a lovely breakfast. Had a very relaxed and chilled feel to the place.

Review 33:nothing not to like.

Review 34:Ideal location for harbour and sea front,Ilfracombe can be a problem if you have walking problems,but unless you had to go up into the town it is all level.Appreciated the call from the owners before we left home,to make sure we knew how to find them.

Review 35:The Karaoke at a bar opposite our room for one night. Although warning was given as were ear plugs!

Review 36:The friendliness of the owners and staff who made us feel very welcome. Being free to come and go. The knowledgeable advice given and the food - it was perfect and delicious.

Review 37:can be a bit noisy at the weekend..but central location.what do you expect.If you want it quiet,get a holiday cottage in the middle of the Cornwall country side!.not that noisy though usually quiet by midnight sat/sun.

Review 38:central harbour location.local for all amenities. bus service round corner to the whole of devon.if you like bussing it.we did!.plenty of good walks,boat trips fishing etc all a walk away from the harbour lights on to the harbour.great local pubs,friendly local people.plus there is a wetherspoons pub if your feeling homesick.great place highly recomend for a chilled holiday or something more active.harbour lights top spot to stay.A++++++++++.

Review 39:None

Review 40:We thought we were well looked after and nothing was too much trouble thanks again for a great weekend will definitely go back again love Ann and John

Review 41:Decor needs updating. Fresh fruit with breakfast would also be welcome.homely family run

Review 42:Warm welcome from Ruth who could not do enough for us. Cooked breakfast was good, and good selection of hot food. The restaurant was also a good choice for evening meal.

Review 43:We did not feel like we were staying at a Hotel it was very casual and friendly. Were able to come and go as we pleased and we were made to feel at home.

Review 44:Owners very helpful and friendly. Breakfast really good and we has a great dinner in the restaurant. We had a nice view from our room. Close to shops and other places to eat.

Review 45:Nothing!

Review 46:The food was excellent, the tables were full every night including plenty of non residents. The owners were friendly and could not do enough for you. We will be going back it was wonderful.

Review 47:The only complaint I can make and that is no reflection on the Harbour Lights team was the pub across the street had a Karioki night on the Saturday which was a bit noisy. Not sure if this is a regular occurrence but if you are a light slleeper it may keep you awake. On the plus side earplugs are provided.

Review 48:Friendly efficient staff, good clean room with everything we needed and very good breakfast. We had one evening meal at the Harbour Lights which was also very good and can certainly recommend.

Review 49:Not much, although the dinner menu was a bit limited.

Review 50:Very near the harbour and surrounded by pubs and restraurants. Food in their restaurant was fine (dinner and the breakfast). The outstanding thing was the attitude of Ruth and Nick, their friendliness and their effort to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Review 51:54 steps to top floor kept us fit.

Review 52:Host & family were excellent and went out of their way to make us welcome. Restaurant was great food & service. Lovely view out to harbour.

Review 53:The room was so noisy you are in between 2 pubs and the noise was constant until 2am. I mentioned this to the owner and he seemed surprised but both us and our friends in room 4 who were also on the street had ear plugs in the drawer of our bedside cabinets. They had no bar area to speak of so you were obliged to go out to meet friends otherwise you were sitting in the restaurant Parking must be horrific in the summer.

Review 54:The fact that the Harbour Lights was near the ferry to Lundy. Our room was very spacious and a light airy room. The owners were very pleasant and the breakfast was good .They had Wi Fi in the room

Review 55:The property was a bit tired looking.

Review 56:Good location for all are needs as we were attending a family wedding but would go back for a holiday as there was lots to see and do.

Review 57:The pub opposite (the Sandpiper). At kicking out time the revellers were rather noisy. But once they had dispersed, the area was generally quiet.

Review 58:The location in the town. Close to the harbour plus the old lighthouse, Verity & the walk along the front to the tunnels.

Review 59:In our family suite we found the seating uncomfortable.

Review 60:Warm welcome and excellent breakfasts. Very well placed for the harbour and its restaurants. Beds were comfortable, generous refreshment tray and WiFi was excellent.

Review 61:Not so much a dislike more of personal choice the bed was too soft. Stairs, we were on third floor but typical of a place of age and features of hotel.

Review 62:Central to amenities nothing too much trouble for staff. Scrambled egg to die for :)

Review 63:Room needed updating,separate washbasin to shower,just seemed 'higgley-piggley',however beds were comfortable and overall good value

Review 64:Position, staff were very polite and always helpful.Beds were very comfortable,food was good

Review 65:All the staff are super friendly. The rooms are plenty big enough with lots of storage space for clothes etc. Food is fab. Great location, literally a stones throw from the harbour. We WILL be going back.

Review 66:If I was nit picking no beers/lagers on pumps only bottled available

Review 67:Excellent family run hotel .Small but well run .All staff attentive nothing too much trouble.Very good local sourced food and evening meals superb and value for money.Would visit again as it does exactly what is says. Excellent location.Many thanks for a very enjoyable week

Review 68:Very friendly and welcoming staff who made our stay very comfortable. Hotel is in a perfect location, a minute's walk from the sea and three minute's from the bus stop. Food was excellent and the room had everything you'd need.

Review 69:The seagulls! The whole town, not just Harbour Lights, suffers from very noisy seagulls. It might be possible because we stayed at the height of nesting the noise was more noticeable, but most people we spoke to staying at various guest houses all over said the same.

Review 70:The owners were very friendly and welcoming. Breakfast was excellent. Being in the center of town it was very accessible and although not having its own parking facilities, the nearby parking was very reasonable if staying for a longer period.

Review 71:Only the stairs, but there were lovely landings to rest on the way.

Review 72:We were welcomed by Ruth who was really nice, kind and helpful even helped to carry bags up the stairs. There were a lot of stairs but we did have a sea view from our room. The room was small but good value. A good central place to stay. Breakfast was very good as was the service and the evening meal was excellent.

Review 73:Decor needs updating

Review 74:Lovely staff. Very welcoming and informative. Food was great. Very fresh and tasty. Location was superb. Smack bang in the middle and rooms were spacious.

Review 75:a lot of stairs to the top floor, room needed a good re dec as looked a bit tired.

Review 76:friendly staff wiiling to spend time with you and help take luggage to rooms, good location, good breakfast options and good food.

Review 77:No venterlation in the bathroom mold on wall and ceiling window to bathroom did not open by law there should be venterlation to all bathrooms .a reply would be nice h/and safety ?.

Review 78:Nothing

Review 79:My friend and I stayed at Harbour Lights the night before we started cycling the Devon Coast to Coast route. The staff couldn't have been more helpful, even wheeling our bikes out for us in the morning and filling our water bottles. It couldn't have been more convenient either - right by the harbour and the start of the route. A great start to our trip! Thank you.

Review 80:Very friendly people and excellent meals

Review 81:Rooms a little dated

Review 82:Location close to the harbour is very good and walking distance to everything in illfracombe.

Review 83:Great location, great owners

Review 84:Friendly staff Great location Good food

Review 85:disappointing view from bedroom

Review 86:The staff were friendly and welcoming

Review 87:The mushrooms !

Review 88:Very well maintained, décor etc. Very prompt service. Very attractive and polite waitress.

Review 89:Excellent position just by the harbour. staff very welcoming and helpful with advice on places to visit.

Review 90:Location was perfect and hosts were very welcoming. Clean comfortable accommodation .

Review 91:Friendliness and helpfulness of staff, delicious included breakfast, character of the building

Review 92:The only suggestion i have is the towels could have been changed over. We were there for 3 nights.

Review 93:Very good staff, quality of food was excellant

Review 94:great location and we were very well looked after

Review 95:i had an early start one morninng which meant missing breakfast so they put me up a packed launch, nice touch.

Review 96:Friendly hosts location very picturesque

Review 97:Very friendly, family run. Spotlessly clean. Helpful at all times. Great smoked haddock for breakfast!

Review 98:Great location, right by the harbour, very friendly service, comfortable clean room, excellent breakfasts, and good value.

Review 99:Locality. very friendly family, nothing was too much trouble

Review 100:Really friendly and helpful family run hotel. Good food, excellent location, would definitely return.

Review 101:Very friendly staff nothing too much trouble

Review 102:Excellent location, very helpful welcome, food excellent.

Review 103:This family run business is friendly and comfortable and very centrally situated. Great for a solo female traveller.

Review 104:Noise from the road and hotels

Review 105:View

Review 106:Very friendly very clean and always there to help

Review 107:Lovely hotel , very friendly staff . We would happily visit again .

Review 108:mattress, memory foam, too hot

Review 109:The staff, made us very welcome, always helpful and very friendly

Review 110:Creaky bed.

Review 111:Very helpful friendly staff.

Review 112:Excellent location right by the harbour. Very central.

Review 113:The family that own and run the business, made us feel extremely welcome! It was really homely and the food was lovely too.

Review 114:The early morning call from the seagulls.

Review 115:The hospitality and friendliness of staff

Review 116:Very friendly and accomodating hosts ,very nice room and lovely breakfast

Review 117:The friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, nothing was too much trouble.

Review 118:Was made very welcome would stay at the Harbour lights again.

Review 119:Nothing to add here

Review 120:How welcome I felt and that I wasn't't being 'watched' all the time.

The Fine Print

Most guests use the Marine Drive parking lot on the harbor-side, just a short walk along Broad Street. Discounts are available for 4 and 7-day permits.There is no elevator.