Friday 22 April 2011

Clovelly, Devon - England

Clovelly, North Devon - England

A unique cobble stone village with no cars and the houses are owned by one family. One of only 3 since Norman times. Much of the design being inspired one Christine Hamilton. Make sure you go to the visitor center before you make your way down and watch the short film.
The streets being made from the cobbles of the beach and the bricks made from the kiln at the quayside. The street is too steep for motor vehicles,once donkeys were used to haul items up and down which are now done by sledge. The donkeys are now retired and come out to visit the public every now and then partway down the street near the Queen Victoria fountain.


As you head down the main you pass the New Inn, (good food and a garden at the rear) many gift shops. The museum with inspirations from Charles Kingsley who lived in the village as a child and went on to write books like Westward Ho and The Water Babies. There are also coffee shops and galleries a tiny Chapel and a fisherman's cottage.
There is a seated viewpoint to the right as you pass through the Temple Bar cottage. This is the building where the street goes underneath the kitchen of the premises. There is a spiral staircase to the left just as you walk through.

When you get to the bottom theres the Red Lion hotel just before you reach the Quay built in the 14th Century. It's worth a walk around the wall and then take a look towards the village up the hill and the lifeboat station.