Clovelly

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About Clovelly

Clovelly is a privately owned, traffic-free fishing village on the North Devon coast, its single steep cobbled street dropping around 400 feet to a small harbour. Donkeys have long carried goods up and down the hill, and the village has changed little in appearance for over a century.

The story of Clovelly

Clovelly has been owned by a single family since the 14th century, passing through the Carys and then, from 1738, the Hamlyns, who still own the estate today; the village was effectively built and maintained as a private estate settlement. The cobbled main street, called 'Up-along' and 'Down-along', is too steep for vehicles, so donkeys were traditionally used to haul goods and have become the symbol of the village. Charles Kingsley, author of 'The Water-Babies', lived in Clovelly as a child in the 1830s and later wrote of the village, helping to make it a Victorian tourist attraction. The herring and mackerel fishing that once supported the village has largely gone, but the harbour still lands some crab and lobster.

Visiting with care

Pay an entrance fee at the visitor centre above the village, then walk the steep cobbled street to the harbour or take the Land Rover service up and down the back road. The donkeys, the harbour and the cliff walk to Mouthmill make a full day.

Interesting facts

• Clovelly has been privately owned since the 14th century and has belonged to the Hamlyn family since 1738.
• The cobbled main street is too steep for cars and donkeys have traditionally carried goods up it.
• Charles Kingsley, author of 'The Water-Babies', lived in Clovelly as a child in the 1830s.
• The village's single street drops around 400 feet from the cliff top to the harbour.