The Moorings Ilfracombe North Devon EX34

Apartment 3 at The Moorings is a beautifully finished two-bedroom, two-bathroom top-floor apartment, forming part of an elegant Victorian-style building that has been carefully redeveloped to combine period presence with modern coastal living.

The apartment enjoys one of the finest positions in the area with far-reaching views across Ilfracombe harbour, Hillsborough, the Bristol Channel and, on a clear day, towards the Welsh coastline. The main open-plan kitchen, living and dining space is the heart of the home, filled with natural light and framed by a wide bay window that draws the coastal outlook directly into the room.

It is a space that works particularly well. The kitchen is modern and well planned, with integrated appliances, slate worktops, a Belfast sink and a breakfast bar, giving the room a smart, sociable feel without losing practicality. A separate utility room provides further storage, appliance space and everyday working room, which is a valuable feature in an apartment of this type.

Both bedrooms are comfortable doubles. The principal bedroom has its own en-suite shower room, while the main bathroom is notably generous, with both a panelled bath and a separate walk-in shower. The finish throughout is clean, contemporary and carefully considered, giving the apartment a calm, high-quality feel from the moment you step inside.

The Moorings has been redeveloped with a strong eye on comfort and practicality. The apartment benefits from gas central heating, double glazing, modern services, soundproofing, full Building Control sign-off and a 6-year Professional Consultant’s Certificate. There is also the rare advantage of allocated off-road parking with a dedicated electric vehicle charging point, a particularly valuable feature in this part of Ilfracombe.

The ownership structure is equally reassuring, with a new 999-year lease to be granted on completion and no ground rent payable. The freehold is to be vested in a management company jointly owned by the apartment owners, giving buyers a clear and sensible long-term arrangement.

Apartment 3 offers a refined, low-maintenance home by the sea. It would suit full-time living, a coastal retreat, or a smart lock-up-and-leave base in one of North Devon’s most recognisable harbour towns.

Ilfracombe is one of North Devon’s most distinctive coastal towns, built around its historic harbour and framed by dramatic cliffs. It has real depth and character, with a year-round feel that sets it apart from places that exist mainly for the summer season.

The harbour remains at the heart of the town, with its mix of maritime heritage, galleries, cafés, restaurants and constant activity on the water. Damien Hirst’s Verity has become a recognised landmark at the harbour entrance, adding a bold contemporary edge to a town already rich in identity.

What makes Ilfracombe so appealing is the balance it offers. There is scenery, coastline and access to the sea, but also proper day-to-day substance. Independent shops, supermarkets, schools, a library, post office, cinema and local services all help make the town practical for full-time living, while still giving it the relaxed coastal rhythm that appeals to buyers looking for a different pace of life.

For younger buyers, Ilfracombe offers personality, value and lifestyle in equal measure, with beaches, cafés, sea swimming, coastal walks and creative energy all close at hand. For downsizers or lock-up-and-leave buyers, it offers convenience, community and easy access to the coast without feeling remote or over-polished.

Tunnels Beaches, the aquarium, nearby Hele Bay, the seafront and the Landmark Theatre all add to the town’s appeal, while Woolacombe, Croyde and Putsborough are within easy reach. Barnstaple, North Devon’s regional centre, is around 20 minutes away by car, providing wider shopping, transport links and services.

It is this mix of character, convenience and coastline that continues to draw people to Ilfracombe, whether they are looking for a permanent home, a coastal base or a place that simply feels more interesting than the obvious alternatives.

North Devon is a place people tend to feel rather than just describe. Its appeal lies in the contrast, long sandy beaches, hidden coves, open moorland, wooded valleys and a coastline that can feel both dramatic and restorative within the same afternoon.

This is a landscape that naturally draws life outdoors. Walkers, swimmers, surfers, golfers, cyclists and those who simply value open space and sea air are well served here. The coastline offers some of the South West’s most loved beaches, including Woolacombe, Croyde, Putsborough, Saunton Sands, Instow and Westward Ho!, while quieter coves, cliff paths and estuary walks give the area a softer, more hidden character.

Inland, the scenery changes again. Exmoor National Park opens up a very different world of moorland, wooded combes, river valleys and far-reaching views. The Tarka Trail, the Torridge Valley and the wider network of footpaths and lanes make the countryside part of everyday life rather than something saved for weekends.

There is also something increasingly valuable about the pace of life here. North Devon still feels grounded. The communities are real, the landscape is close, and there is a sense of breathing room that many buyers are now actively seeking. Homes in this part of the world appeal because they offer more than bricks and mortar. They offer space, rhythm, connection and a different quality of life.

Barnstaple provides the main commercial hub for the region, with shops, schools, leisure facilities, healthcare and rail links, while the North Devon Link Road gives access towards the M5, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter. It means North Devon can feel tucked away without being cut off, which is an important part of its appeal.

For many, the decision to move here is not simply about changing address. It is about choosing a life with more landscape in it, more time outdoors, more room to breathe, and a stronger connection to coast, countryside and community.

Property Information

Tenure: Leasehold, with a new 999-year lease to be granted on completion

Ground Rent: None payable

Approximate Floor Area: 1,388 sq ft

Services: Mains water, mains drainage, mains electricity and mains gas

Heating: Gas-fired radiator central heating

Parking: Allocated off-road parking space with dedicated electric vehicle charging point

Council Tax: Band A, approximately £1,785 per annum

EPC Rating: C/80

Building Control: Full Building Control sign-off

Warranty: 6-year Professional Consultant’s Certificate

What3Words: ///create.lucky.tools

Broadband: Buyers should check the latest connection type and available speeds with their chosen provider or via the Ofcom broadband checker.

Note: Some images in our video and photographs have been digitally furnished for marketing purposes.

Important Notice: By Design North Devon & Exmoor, for themselves and for the vendors of this property, give notice that:

Particulars: These details are provided as a general outline for intending purchasers and do not constitute, nor form part of, any offer or contract. Descriptions: All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition, necessary permissions, and other details are given in good faith and believed to be correct. Purchasers must not rely on them as statements of fact and should verify accuracy by inspection or otherwise. Warranty: No person employed by By Design North Devon & Exmoor has authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to this property. Measurements: All measurements are approximate. Wayleaves and easements. The property is sold subject to any wayleaves or easements, whether or not they are referred to within these particulars. Floor plans are for illustrative identification only and may not be to scale. Photography: Photographs are provided for general information only and should not be assumed to include any items shown. Images are not materially altered but may be enhanced for marketing purposes (e.g. skies, twilight effects, digital staging). Services: Services, systems, and appliances have not been tested and no guarantee of condition or functionality is given. Purchasers should satisfy themselves as to suitability and working order. Due Diligence: Buyers are responsible for verifying matters such as flood risk, private drainage compliance, planning consents, covenants, and all other property-related details before viewing or incurring expense. Availability: Properties may be withdrawn or sold at any time. Buyers should confirm availability and up-to-date information prior to viewing. Money Laundering Regulations: In compliance with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended), all purchasers must provide proof of identity, address, source, and proof of funds before any sale can be agreed. By Design North Devon & Exmoor use Credas, an FCA-regulated provider, to complete these checks. A fee of £50 plus VAT per buyer applies. A secure link will be issued. The property status cannot be changed to Sold Subject to Contract or a Memorandum of Sale produced until all checks are satisfactorily completed.