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Voykit pocket guide · United Kingdom
Clovelly
Half a day is enough: walk the cobbled street, see the harbour and leave. Not a base unless you want a quiet night by the sea.
Clovelly is a privately owned village on the North Devon coast, famous for its steep cobbled main street, donkeys and harbour. It is a single-sight stop: pay admission, walk down, walk up (or take the Land Rover shuttle), then move on. Most visitors spend 2–4 hours here.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Feb (many places closed, short days)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GBP
- Money
- Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £). Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some places are card-only.
- Daily spend
- Budget £25–40 excl. bed · Mid £40–70 excl. bed · High £70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines, no registration needed.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 999 · NHS non-urgent 111
- Plugs
- Types G · 230 V · 50 Hz · Three-pin Type G only; European, US and Australian plugs need an adapter. Bathrooms have two-pin shaver sockets only.
- Tipping
- Restaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.; Pub or bar: Not expected; 'and one for yourself' offers the bartender a drink.; Taxi: Round up or 10%.; Hotel porter: £1–2 per bag.; Tour guide: £5–10 per person for a day tour; free walking tours expect £10–15.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere. Free refills are common; restaurants will bring tap water if you ask.
- Toilets
- Public toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 or are card-only. Stations, museums, department stores and pubs (if you buy a drink) are the fallback.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Admission (adult) | £9.50 |
| Pint of ale at the Red Lion | £4.50–5.50 |
| Cream tea at the tea room | £7–9 |
| Fish and chips | £10–13 |
| Parking (all day) | £5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- EXT · Exeter International
- About 1 h 15 min drive; bus to Barnstaple then change
- BRS · Bristol
- About 2 h drive; train to Barnstaple then bus
Typical fares
- Bus Bideford → Clovelly (319)
- about £3, 10 min (check)
- Taxi Bideford → Clovelly
- £12–18
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot. The main street is too steep for cars; a Land Rover shuttle runs between the visitor centre and the harbour (check times).
See and do
Known for
- Cobbled main street
- Harbour and beach
- Donkeys
- Privately owned village with admission charge
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bideford | Bus 319 or drive, about 10 min | 15 min |
| Westward Ho! | Drive via Bideford, about 15 min | 20 min |
| Ilfracombe | Drive via A39, about 30 min | 35 min |
| Barnstaple | Bus 319 or drive, about 20 min | 25 min |
| Lundy | Boat from Bideford or Ilfracombe (seasonal) | About 2 h |
| Lynton and Lynmouth | Drive via A39, about 40 min | 45 min |
Sleep
- Clovelly village
- Two hotels inside the village; you pay admission once and can come and go.
- Bideford
- 10 min drive; more choice and cheaper.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hellohel-oh |
| Thank you | Thank youthank yoo |
| How much is it? | How much is it?how much iz it |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card?kan i pay by kard |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake at first meeting; 'hi' and first names quickly; avoid: Cheek kisses with strangers
- Conversation: Weather is a safe opener; understatement and self-deprecating humour; avoid: Asking about salary or class
- Queues: Join at the back; avoid: Pushing onto buses or trains before others get off
- Apologies: 'Sorry' is said constantly, even when not at fault; avoid: Taking it as an admission of blame
- Pubs: Buy rounds in a group; wait at the bar without waving money; avoid: Clicking fingers at staff
- Nations: Call Scots Scottish and Welsh Welsh; avoid: Calling the whole UK 'England'
Scams and watch-outs
- Admission charge applies even if you only want a drink: £9.50 adults (2026 estimate).
- The walk back up is steep; wear flat shoes.
- Parking at the top (pay and display).
- Last shuttle time varies by season; check on arrival.
Very safe. The main risk is slipping on the cobbles when wet; take care on the steep street.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Clovelly yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cobbled main street
- Harbour and beach
- Donkeys
- Privately owned village with admission charge
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Clovelly official website: www.clovelly.co.uk/
- Wikivoyage: Clovelly, revision 4909665 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4909665
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/clovelly). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.