It was raining when we arrived at our accommodation at Hele Bay, Ilfracombe, but this wasn’t a problem with the big umbrella keeping us dry. Bobbie the Build-a-Bear joined me for this trip.
We stayed at Beach Cove Coastal Retreat in a beach lodge overlooking the bay. The lodge was very cosy with everything we needed for a few days self-catering.
As soon as the rain stopped we put on appropriate clothing and went to explore the beach, which was just a few steps away from the lodge.
Hele Bay has lots of rock pools to explore; we spotted a crab walking sideways across the bottom of one.
The next morning I got up early and made porridge for breakfast. Porridge is a very healthy breakfast and is good for humans and bears.
There wasn’t a full size table and chairs in the lodge, but instead a coffee table with a top that lifted up to make a table, which was a tad too high to reach from the sofa, so we sat on cushions.
The rain had gone away so we were able to relax on our terrace while waiting for the humans to get ready to go out on an adventure.
We walked along the coastpath to Watermouth, enjoying the spring flowers and sunshine.
Once back at Hele Cove we relaxed in the shade on the beach.
The humans cooked spaghetti bolognese for our supper, with rocket brought from home from the allotment
The next morning there was lots of activity on the beach. Volunteers were learning how to rescue beached whales & dolphins. The whale looked very realistic, it was filled with water to make it the same sort if weight as a small whale.
The instructors were quite happy for us to take photos (we always ask) and we later made a donation to Marine Life Rescue.
More rocket from the allotment for lunch; cheese & rocket baguettes.
The weather was rather windy so we spent an afternoon in the beach lodge playing snap. Bobbie won!
On our last evening at Hele Bay we watched a beautiful sunset.
The following morning when it was time to go home we waited in the bear carrier on the terrace while the humans packed up the car.
The weekend away in the beach lodge was very enjoyable indeed. A good place to stay to explore the area around Ilfracombe.
We stayed here Beach Hut Holidays Devon | Beach Cove Coastal Retreat
Horace the Alresford Bear 28/5/2026