The King Charles III Coast Path passes right by Ocean Backpackers on Ilfracombe’s harbour.

This friendly self-catering hostel offers well-equipped kitchens, a comfortable communal space, boot and drying rooms, private bedrooms, and dorm bunks with privacy screens. It’s a great base for walking different sections of the coast, with regular buses to Woolacombe, Braunton, Barnstaple, Croyde, Combe Martin, Lynton, Lynmouth, and Exmoor—so you can walk light without carrying your luggage. Ilfracombe also offers plenty to do on rest days, including boat trips, Lundy Island visits, fishing, diving, surfing, kayaking, and seal swims.