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Top 10 Interesting Facts about Clovelly Village

This is a harbour village located in the Torridge district of Devon. The village features traditional architecture, cobbled streets and scenic views over the Bristol channel. The population of the village stand at 443 according to a census carried out in 2011. This number has been reduced by 50 from a census done ten years before that.
The town is privately owned and thus attracts tourists who want to see the unique village and also expect the beauty of the village. These ten facts will provide great insight into the history and culture of Clovelly Village and the different features that attract tourists.

1. The village is privately owned

The village has been associated with three families since the 13th century with one of them still possessing it to this day. The estate was originally owned by William the Conqueror who was the King of England. He gifted it to his wife until it was acquired by the Giffard family in 1242.
The village then went to the Hamlyn family who still owns it to date. Clovelly Estate Company which is owned by Hon. John Rous who is a descendant of the Hamlyn family manages the village.

2. The village visitor centre

Tourists visiting this North Devon village start at the Clovelly Visitor Centre. The centre which is modelled on a traditional long barn offers tourists the necessary information on how to explore the quaint village. There is a twenty-minute film shown at the visitor centre that tells of its history and thus equipping the tourists with enough knowledge that will allow them to appreciate the sites that they encounter.

Additionally, tourists also pay their entry charges at the visitor centre. The fee charged covers, admission to the film show, parking, and admission to the Fisherman’s and Charles Kingsley museums.

3. There are several events held in the village

The village hosts a variety of events that are attended by locals and tourists. They are a perfect opportunity for people to interact while they enjoy themselves. Some of the events include an open-air theatre where people can watch their favourite films outdoors. There is also the Seaweed Festival which advocates for the consumption of seaweed because of its immense nutritional and health benefits.

Additionally, there is the Woolsery Agricultural Show which features horse competitions and craft classes. This event is ideal for families as it gives them time to bond in the outdoors.

4. The village is built around the herring fishing industry

Like other towns along the coast, Clovelly Village depended on fishing as a way of sustaining themselves. The boats used to fish are designed in a unique way in that they get to the sea faster than those large boats when herrings arrive. However, the tradition of fishing is slowly dying out as many people no longer do it commercially.

5. It is a source of artistic inspiration

Several artists have drawn inspiration for various pieces in this little village. Charles Dickens wrote about the area and thus making it famous. Additionally, Charles Kinsley who was a Victorian writer lived in Clovelly Village when his father served as the town’s curate. Turner also made a painting of Clovelly Harbour which now hangs in the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. This piece of art has brought prominence to the little village in that people who want to have a quiet time to reflect visit the historic site.

6. Sledges are used to transport goods

Clovelly Village is known to be very steep. This means that cars cannot access the cobbled main street. Therefore, locals use sledges which are made of wooden planks to transport their goods up and down the main street.

Therefore, having no cars in the main part of the village allows for peace and tranquillity which is critical if a tourist is visiting the area to reflect and clear their minds.

7. Donkeys were used to transport goods

In the past, donkeys were a popular means of transporting goods up and down the streets. They carried heavy baskets filled with herring meant to be sold up the narrow streets. As the fishing industry slowly diminished, the donkeys started carrying tourists and their luggage up to the hotels. This made for a fun adventure for the tourists.

Nowadays, the donkeys are not used to provide transport and instead, enjoy a restful existence. They are around for tourists to take pictures with them and create memorable moments that will remind them of the quaint village.

8. Visitors can get the services of a local guide

Tourists travelling to the village can get the services of local guides who will show them around the village. The advantage of getting a guide is that the tourists will get to see the little known places that are known to the locals but often missed by tourists. Therefore, the tourist gets an authentic experience during their visit.

9. The annual Herring Festival

The village holds an annual herring festival that celebrates their heritage because they have a deep connection with the herrings. The festival features live music, cookery demonstration, plenty of food and drinks and exhibitions. It is an ideal way to ensure that the locals and visitors appreciate the culture found in the village and learn more about it.

10. There are a lot of attractions for tourists to explore

There are several attraction sites that tourists can visit while in Clovelly Village. They include the Queen Victoria fountain that was erected by the queen’s cousin in 1901. This fountain is located along the main street. There is also the Fisherman’s House which is a museum that depicts how life was in the village around the 1930s. There is a second museum known as the Charles Kingsley museum which is dedicated to the writer after he brought visitors to the fishing village.

Other attractions include Clovelly Quay and Harbour, Mount Pleasant and Chapel of St. Peter. Top 10 Interesting Facts about Clovelly Village