Hi, thanks so much for stopping by. Last week my partner and I went on a little 2 night break without the kids down to Ilfracombe. It’s always like a military operation to plan these things but so worth it. The kids giggle that we are having our romantic break and love their time with nanny and we appreciate to have a couple of days to ourselves. Like most parents, even on our time alone we talk about, email and speak to the kids. Still, I feel it’s important that all of the family gets their relaxation time and this is ours.
We booked through one of these sites that you contact the owner themselves and they rent out their place to you. We were so lucky to get an amazing little apartment which overlooked the sea, the crazy golf park and a weatherspoons…it doesn’t get much better than that!!
We were also right by a beautiful little Italian place which had such a gorgeous smell coming out of it that on the first evening we were so shattered that we had them make us pizza and pasta and we took it up to the apartment. It was great to sit there, looking out at the amazing view with our food and chill out.
Ilfracombe is such a gorgeous place. Most of the town dates from victorian times when it grew rapidly as a seaside resort. It seemed that most of the town around the harbour was on a slope and it nestled into the hills.
In the morning we took a walk down to the Tunnels Beaches. You have to pay £2.50 to walk down through them but it’s a fantastic sight once you walk through and see the view.
The tunnels lead down to a lovely little sandy beach which has a bathing pool which was made out of bringing lime into the bay and making an edge which, as the tide goes out, keeps in an amount of water in a large pool making it idea for bathing. This was created for ‘segregated bathing’ where men and women were not allowed to bath in the same bay or cove. In 1839 there was a guide book which stated that segregated bathing was tightly controlled and a ‘bugler’ would sit between the men’s and ladies pools keeping an eye out that the two did not mix. If a man attempted to spy on the ladies then the bugler would blow his trumpet and the man would be arrested!
There’s so much more to discover in Ilfracombe and the statue in the harbour is worth a post in its own right. Overall I would highly recommend a few days spent there, with or without the little ones.
Heres a little teaser which we saw on one of the signs – Can you make out the Ilfracombe elephant in my picture?
Do you ever get to have breaks on your own or if you have kids do you prefer having them with you?
I’m jealous. Looks amazing! Great to get away sometimes! #KCACOLS
I went to Ilfracombe on geography school trip in 2000, I’m trying to recall the places from the pictures, but I’m struggling. Well done on having a break away from the kids we all need that once in a while, and it sounds like you’ve had a brilliant time. Crazy golf and Wetherspoons sound perfect! Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
Thanks Claire, I went for the full fry up in wetherspoons…omg amazing, it’s been years;)
Looks lovely, I bet it was nice to have a break from the kids, even though you missed them too most likely. #kcacols
It was nice, but yeah, I miss them:) thanks for your comments
Aw such a lovely idea. We certainly need to make time for a few days away like this! #KCACOLS
Looks like a lovely place. I’ve never been but it looks worth a visit. Nice photos too x #KCACOLS
Looks gorgeous! We are having our first night without our son this weekend – he’s only 21 weeks. We’re really looking forward to a bit of adult time! #KCACOLS
Oh wow, brilliant, enjoy!!:) X
We’ve yet to have a holiday away from the kids but I imagine only wanting to when we are all a lot older. #KCACOLS
Its got to be the right time for everyone, I agree. x
Wow this looks amazing! Me and The Hub has a mini break at the start of the month in Bristol, which I know sounds like a funny place to go for a break, but it was lovely just to stay in a hotel and not have to worry about the kids for 24 hours. Def planning on another one soon! #KCACOLS
Yeah, I agree, just a little time to clear the head and relax is an amazing tonic:)
What a beautiful place! It’s lovely that you two had such a great time and a much needed break from the kids. I love having little get-aways with my husband as well. We always favor New York City because it’s where we got engaged (and it’s close to our in-laws, who are more than willing to watch our daughter when we plan things overnight). Thanks so much for sharing this with us on #shinebloghop this week 🙂
Oh that sounds great and very hand if the in-laws are around to help:) thanks very much for your comment x
Ilfracombe is a lovely part of the world! The most we’ve spent away from our toddler so far was 1 night for a wedding! Definitely tempting though! Lovely photos by the way! #KCACOLS
one night is a good starting point:) Our maximum so far is 3 nights without getting the jitters when booking. It’s nice but 3 is enough at the mo:) thanks for your comment.
wow what a beautiful place! I love the pictures, the view through the tunnel is so beautiful #KCACOLS
Thank you:)
It looks like a really beautiful place. I agree it’s so nice to be able to get some relaxation time alone as well. My daughter goes to stay with her dad and grandparents for two weeks in the summer and this year my partner and I are going on our first week away abroad together! I can’t wait. Thank you so much for linking up to #KCACOLS hope to see you there again next week! 🙂
oh that sounds great, enjoy! x
So pretty! I’m having a little sabbatical from taking breaks with the toddler because it does not feel like a break! #bloggerclubuk
That’s true!:) they’re lovely but it feels good to have a little break:)
I keep talking about having a break away from the kids but have still not managed it yet. We went to Ilfracombe back in April and also went to Tunnels Beaches. I loved it there!
Sound like you had a good break and got to spend some quality time with your husband which is great! #ForTheLoveOfBlog
I think the tunnels were great and there was a wedding in one of the coves, so beautiful there.
We have never had a break to ourselves since having kids and don’t really plan to as we won’t have the chance. Enjoy it though!!!
Thank you! x
I thought it was a typo – never heard of it before and had to look it up! Looks like a great place to visit though; thanks for taking us! #KCACOLS
Thanks, yes it’s great there and you’re right, it’s got quite an unusual name 🙂
It’s nice to have a break away from the Kids every now and again isn’t it? We’ve been to Ilfracombe before, it’s beautiful x #KCACOLS
Wow. What beautiful photos! My husband and I have never been away without the kids. In fact, we only get to do a date night about once or twice a year. 🙁 #KCACOLS
Thankyou!:) date nights are fab, give a night away a try if you can somehow get a sitter;)