27th Nov 2010 - The
Western Morning News recently reported on the Ilfracombe Local History Group's visit to Tunnels Beaches at Ilfracombe
- see Tunnels tour sparks query over their wartime use (WMN, November 18, 2010).
The latest meeting of Ilfracombe's Local History Group has prompted several questions of the community which could help with their research.
The popular group have just been for a visit to the Tunnels Beaches, where they were given a guided tour and talk by owner Jamie McLintock.
Group founder Sue Garwood said: "It was a truly magical tour with the Tunnels all lit up with twinkling lights.
"During his talk, Jamie explained that they were hoping to renovate the original Bath House and he was hoping to find more historical information.
"It's his understanding that during the war years the Tunnels were used as an air-raid shelter."
Did you shelter there? Sue is hoping that anyone who used them or has a story to tell about them, will get in touch with her on 01271 863551.
If you have information, please get in touch.
Tunnels Beaches has a rather interesting history: they were developed as part of the new Victorian enthusiasm for sea bathing. As described in John F Travis's The rise of the Devon seaside resorts 1750-1900 (pages 89-90), Ilfracombe Sea Bathing Company built a Doric bath-house and dug tunnels down to the previously inaccessible Crewkhorne Cove, where there was a segregated bathing area. Victorian visitors included the novelist Mary Anne Evans (aka George Eliot) who in 1855 enjoyed a visit down to Ladies' Cove to watch the sunset, though the anonymous "J", writing for The St. James's magazine in 1867 thought less of the location, saying of the tunnels: "There is nothing remarkable about them save the unthrifty judgment that could have decided on so great a comparative outlay to secure so small a result; and the beach, when you get to it, affords wretched accommodation". By the beginning of the 21st century, the development had become very shabby, but as reported by Alexandra Buxton in Country Life, Volume 200, Issues 27-30, p112) its future prospects look considerably better following its acquisition by Jamie and Zoe McClintock. See the official website; its history page has an excellent 56-page brochure, with a detailed history, available as a PDF for download. It includes contemporary photos and news clippings, and explores some of the personalities involved, such as the "Amphibious" Professor Parker.
- RG
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