Ilfracombe is a seaside resort on the north coast of Devon, England with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs. The town stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 6 km along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west. The resort is hilly and the highest point within the town boundary is at 'Hore Down Cross', 3 km inland and 270 m (860 ft) above sea level. A seasonal foot passenger ferry service runs from the harbour to Lundy Island and The Balmoral, The Waverley and pleasure boats ply to Porthcawl near Swansea. The landmark of Hillsborough Hill dominates the harbour and is the site of an Iron Age Celtic fortress. The award-winning Landmark Theatre is either loved or hated for its unusual double-conical design; it is distinctive and, with the St Nicholas's Chapel on Lantern Hill, a major landmark in the town. Each year, the residents and school children of Ilfracombe celebrate their heritage. These celebrations include six carnivals - a May Day walking celebration (dating from 2000, this is sometimes confused with an earlier tradition suppressed by the church in the 19th century); Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration, a week-long programme of events held annually in June to celebrate the time of the town's greatest prosperity; a large street carnival procession during August, organised by the St John's Ambulance service; the Lighting of the Lights held during November; and at Christmas, a Christingle.
A farmers' market is held regularly in The Lantern Community Centre on High Street. By the Landmark Theatre there is a small museum, housed in the buildings of the laundry of the former Ilfracombe Hotel. For those of literary intent there is an Ilfracombe authors'/writers' group. The town hosts 8 small galleries, including the exhibitions displayed by the Art Society in the crypt of Emmanual Church on the seafront, the foyer of the Landmark Theatre, The Quay and in "Number Eleven, The Quay" there are many Damien Hirst works, butterflies, pharmacy etc including small statues and wallpaper designs. Two charitable events are organised each summer by Ilfracombe Round Table. Both make use of Ilfracombe Pier as a display area. The first of these is the annual "South West Birdman" contest which involves entrants seeking to 'fly' from the pier in home-made flying machines and silly costumes. The second event is "Rescue Day", an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the activities of the emergency services. The highlight of the day is a simulated air-sea rescue involving the launch of the Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat, a Sea King helicopter from RAF 22 Squadron, Exmoor Search and Rescue team and local Fire, Ambulance and HM Coastguard services. More on Ilfracombe 

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