Business Archives - The Carlton Hotel Ilfracombe

Finalist in North Devon Business Awards

The Carlton Named Finalist in North Devon Business Awards

We’re thrilled to be named a finalist in the 2025 North Devon Business Awards for our collaborative

work with William Pearce & Son Funeral Directors. Together, we’ve created an innovative new

service—an Alternative Funeral Celebration—right here in Ilfracombe.

Award Finalist: Celebrating Innovation in Collaboration

We’re delighted to share that The Carlton has been shortlisted as a finalist in the North Devon

Business Awards 2025, under the Innovation category.

Our nomination recognises a joint initiative with fellow Ilfracombe business, William Pearce & Son

Funeral Directors. This partnership has introduced a unique and community-focused service to the

local area, expanding what both businesses offer and how we support our customers.

What’s innovative?

Together, we’ve developed an Alternative Funeral Celebration—a new approach to marking the

end of life. These gatherings take place at The Carlton, offering families and friends the option of a

non-traditional, more personal venue to honour their loved ones.

Each event is thoughtfully tailored, providing a welcoming space outside of religious settings or

crematoriums. With the nearest crematorium located in Barnstaple, this option has proven valuable to

local families seeking a closer, more convenient, and meaningful alternative.

Organised by local funeral director Joel Rutherford of William Pearce & Son, the services have been

held at the hotel for just over a year and continue to receive positive feedback.

Find out more

For service enquiries, please contact William Pearce & Son, who handle all end-of-life celebration

arrangements.

For catering and venue details, please speak to Eliot at The Carlton.

Contact details

William Pearce & Son, 3 Wilder Road, Ilfracombe EX34 8BL

Tel: 01271 862242

The Carlton Hotel, Runnacleave Road, Ilfracombe EX34 8AR

Tel: 01271 862446

Enjoy Work and Wellbeing by the Sea with a Workation in North Devon

Ever thought about taking a workation in North Devon? If not, maybe it’s time that you did. Since the pandemic, the world of work has changed with hybrid and remote work becoming much more prevalent. As people are no longer tethered to the office, this newfound flexibility means that we can effectively work from anywhere. More professionals are choosing to take working vacations that allow them to get away from home and explore new destinations without using up their annual leave allowance. If you’ve ever longed to swap your home office for fresh sea air, clifftop walks, and incredible local food, a remote working holiday in North Devon might be exactly what you are looking for.

A workation in North Devon offers the chance to remain productive at work while enjoying all the benefits of working by the sea. Imagine starting your day with a delicious chef-cooked breakfast, a strong Wi-Fi connection and business-friendly amenities that make work easy and comfortable. Then imagine clocking off early and finishing your day with a stroll along the South West Coast Path.

Here at The Carlton, we understand that modern business travellers are looking for more than just a room. You want a comfortable and practical work environment in a location that also nurtures your wellbeing and allows you to experience new destinations and leisure activities.

So, whether you’re escaping the city for a solo work retreat, planning a strategy break with your team, or looking for a digital nomad-friendly destination to recharge by the coast, The Carlton delivers the calm, comfort, and convenience that make a workation truly worthwhile.

Discover Why North Devon is Ideal for a Workation

Tucked away on the wild and beautiful southwest coast of England, North Devon is the kind of place that invites you to slow down and breathe more deeply. It’s not just a change of scenery—it’s a complete shift in mindset. With rolling hills, dramatic clifftop paths, peaceful harbours, and expansive beaches, this region offers the kind of natural beauty that feeds your soul while you tick off your to-do list.

A workation here means fewer distractions and more clarity. Instead of commuting through traffic, you can take a pre-meeting walk along the beach. Instead of eating lunch at your desk, you can grab a picnic and enjoy it in a local park or on a harbour bench watching the boats. The pace of life in North Devon supports the kind of focus and wellbeing that’s hard to come by in a traditional office environment.

And when the work is done? There’s no shortage of things to discover. Explore charming market towns, dip into the area’s rich creative scene, or venture into Exmoor National Park for an afternoon of walking and wildlife spotting. Whether you stay for a few days or a few weeks, a workation in North Devon offers a work and wellness break that has the perfect balance of productivity and pleasure.

Looking for Hotels with Work Facilities in Devon?

If you’re planning a workation in North Devon, finding the right base is essential—and our business-friendly hotel in North Devon offers everything for your bleisure travel needs. With fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, thoughtfully designed rooms, flexible work-friendly spaces, and a corporate event venue, staying productive has never been easier.

Our modern meeting and event rooms provide the ideal setting if you need a dedicated space to focus or collaborate. Whether you’re taking video calls, planning a team strategy session, or hosting a small client gathering, our facilities are equipped with cutting-edge soundproofing, ample power points, and high-speed internet to keep things running smoothly.

Need a break between tasks? Step into the lounge for a change of scenery, order a light bite from the Brasserie, or stretch your legs with a short walk to the nearby harbour. And when the day is done, you can switch off with the peace of mind that everything you need is right here—from a restful bed to excellent food and drink, all under one roof.

At The Carlton, we understand that work-life balance isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a priority. That’s why we’ve created an environment where business travellers can feel supported, welcome and completely at home.

Taste the Best of North Devon with Local Food and Drink

A great workation isn’t just about the hours you put in—it’s also about how you refuel. At The Carlton, we believe that good food plays a vital role in both productivity and pleasure. That’s why our Brasserie serves dishes that celebrate the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted local suppliers across North Devon.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast made to order, from a full English to lighter options like smashed avocado on sourdough or fresh fruit and yoghurt. At lunchtime, opt for something quick and nourishing, or treat yourself to a leisurely break with a hot dish and a glass of something chilled. And in the evening, sit back and enjoy a thoughtfully curated menu featuring locally caught seafood, Exmoor lamb, and artisan cheeses—each dish designed to reflect the rich culinary heritage of the region.

If you’re dining with colleagues, entertaining a client, or simply indulging in some solo food therapy, our relaxed Brasserie is the perfect setting. We can also provide catering for private meetings or events held onsite, offering everything from coffee and pastries to full-course meals—so you can stay focused without having to leave the hotel. And if you plan to socialise in the evening, cocktails are served in the bar.

Explore North Devon When the Workday Ends

H2Outdoor Coasteering in North Devon

One of the greatest perks of a workation in North Devon is the freedom to truly make the most of your downtime. When the emails are answered and the meetings are wrapped up, Ilfracombe and the surrounding area invite you to step outside, reconnect with nature and prioritize your wellbeing.

Stroll along the historic harbour, enjoy sea views from the scenic South West Coast Path, or take a bracing dip at one of nearby North Devon beaches. If you prefer green spaces to ocean air, Exmoor National Park is just a short drive away—perfect for evening hikes, stargazing, or leisurely drives through its heather-covered hills.

Ilfracombe itself is full of character and charm. Spend an hour browsing local galleries, sample Devonshire cream teas at an independent café, or take in Damien Hirst’s famous Verity statue as the sun sets. Every outing offers the chance to unwind, feel inspired, and return to your work feeling refreshed and re-energised.

At The Carlton, we’re perfectly placed for you to explore North Devon at your own pace—whether you have a few spare hours or a whole weekend to enjoy. It’s not just about working somewhere new—it’s about living a little more while you’re here.

Make It More Than a Business Trip with an Extended Stay

So why rush home when you could make the most of your time in North Devon? A workation at The Carlton isn’t just about ticking off your to-do list—it’s about extending your trip and enriching your holiday in Ilfracombe it with moments of rest, discovery, and adventure in North Devon.

Many of our business guests choose to stay on after the work is done, inviting their partners or family to join them for a few days of coastal calm. With Ilfracombe’s beaches, charming high street, and countryside right on the doorstep, it’s easy to turn a working break into a full holiday. Ilfracombe has plenty to offer in terms of art and culture activities.

Our flexible stay options mean you can extend your booking without stress. Whether it’s a weekend of long walks and local food or a few extra days to recharge by the sea, we make it easy to blend work, leisure, and everything in between.

Plan Your Workation in North Devon Today

So, if you’re dreaming of a change of scenery without compromising on productivity, North Devon is one of the best places for a workation in the UK. With fast Wi-Fi, flexible meeting spaces, locally inspired seasonal food, and easy access to the coast and countryside, the Carlton offers more than just a hotel stay—it’s an invitation to work well and live well.

If you’ve been searching for hotels with work facilities in Devon that also let you enjoy great food, coastal walks and a bit of luxury, your search ends here. Whether you’re a freelancer seeking inspiration, a remote worker wanting to swap city noise for sea air, or a team looking for a professional base with space to breathe, we are ready to welcome you. We can support your corporate hotel stays in North Devon with custom packages and business-friendly amenities.

Let us take care of the details so you can focus on what matters—your work, your wellbeing, and making the most of your coastal workation in beautiful North Devon.

Ready to make your next work trip feel like a getaway?

Book your workation at The Carlton today or get in touch to find out more about our business-friendly stays.

If you have any questions, please call us on 01271 862446.

Corporate Event Venue with Catering in North Devon

When planning to host a corporate event, business meeting or team away day, finding the right venue can make all the difference to the outcome of your event. Whether you’re planning a small strategy session, a large conference, or an intimate networking event, The Carlton Hotel in North Devon provides the perfect blend of state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality catering, and a scenic coastal setting.

Located in Ilfracombe, our venue offers versatile meeting spaces, seamless technology, and tailored catering packages, ensuring your event runs smoothly from start to finish. With onsite accommodation, flexible event packages, and a dedicated events team, we make corporate planning effortless, whether for day meetings or multi-day retreats.

Versatile Event Spaces for Business Meetings & Conferences

At The Carlton, we offer four adaptable event spaces se we can accommodate everything from small boardroom meetings to large-scale corporate gatherings:

The Brasserie – This event space is ideal for large conferences, networking events, and corporate dinners. The Brasserie can accommodate up to 150 guests.
The Stage – This flexible, semi-private space is perfectly tailored to training sessions and presentations of up to 60 guests.
Burlesque – This event space provides a stylish, private setting for board meetings, executive lunches, and intimate business discussions of up to 30 guests.
The Library – This cosy breakout space is perfectly suited for brainstorming sessions, informal meetings, and team discussions and can accommodate up to 15 guests.

Each of our rooms is fully equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, ample power sockets, and professional soundproofing so that we can ensure a comfortable and productive working environment for your guests.

Business Event Catering: Fresh, Local & Tailored to Your Needs

Our exceptional on-site catering will enhance any corporate event, and at The Carlton, we take pride in offering fresh, locally sourced, sustainable menus designed to suit all business occasions.

Our catering options include:

Business Breakfasts – Enjoy freshly baked pastries, fruit, granola, and our hot breakfast selections.
Working Lunches & Buffets – Feast on nourishing sandwiches, seasonal salads, and locally inspired hot dishes.
Formal Dining – Delight in multi-course meals made from North Devon’s finest ingredients.
Refreshments & Coffee Breaks – Savour freshly brewed coffee, herbal teas, and homemade treats.

We can also create bespoke menus designed specifically for your corporate event or business meeting. We cater for all dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, ensuring that all your guests enjoy a high-quality dining experience at your event.

Corporate Retreats & Team Away Days in North Devon

Coasteering events by H2Outdoors

If you’re looking to book a corporate away day for your team to strengthen working relationships, get those creative juices flowing, and encourage a more collaborative approach, The Carlton corporate event venue is perfectly positioned to combine business with adventure.

Our dedicated events team has excellent relationships with local partners who we can work with to arrange a variety of activities for your team members to take part in. We can offer:

Outdoor activities – Coastal hikes, paddleboarding, clay pigeon shooting, or horse riding.
Culinary workshops – Sourdough baking, chocolate-making, and wine-tasting experiences.

These activities can be integrated into corporate retreats or added to business events as optional team-building sessions. North Devon’s tranquil setting and stunning coastal landscapes create the perfect atmosphere for strategic planning and professional growth.

Read our dedicated guide to find out more about our corporate away day options.

Overnight Stays for Business Delegates

If you are looking to organise a multi-day conference or corporate retreat, The Carlton provides comfortable business accommodation with:

38 modern, well-equipped rooms featuring plush bedding, workspaces, and free high-speed Wi-Fi and excellent mobile coverage.
Flexible corporate rates for event attendees and group bookings.
Leisure facilities, including a gym, lounge, and cocktail bar—ideal for unwinding after meetings.

Guests can take advantage of our coastal location, whether for an early morning walk, a pre-dinner drink with colleagues, or an extended stay to explore more of what North Devon has to offer.

Tailored Business Event Packages & Transparent Pricing

We offer customizable event packages designed to suit your corporate needs, with clear, all-inclusive pricing:

Day Delegate Rate – From £35 per person, including venue hire and refreshments.
24-Hour Delegate Rate – From £99 per person, including accommodation, meals, and event facilities.

We have a dedicated events team who will be on hand to ensure a seamless experience from start to finish, handling bespoke requests, last-minute adjustments, and technical support so you can focus on what matters—your business.

Book Your Corporate Event at The Carlton

For businesses looking for a corporate event venue with catering in North Devon, The Carlton provides a complete solution for meetings, conferences, and team away days and retreats.

Call us to discuss your requirements and get a tailored quote or email us for availability and booking details.

Whether you’re planning a business meeting, corporate retreat, or networking event, we’re here to ensure a seamless, productive, and memorable experience. Get in touch today and let’s start planning your next corporate event!

10 Years Hotel Anniversary Celebration at The Carlton

It’s time for a hotel anniversary celebration! This is a big year for us at The Carlton as we celebrate our tenth-year of living and working in North Devon. And it’s incredible to think that we have been welcoming guests, visitors and locals to our hotel in Ilfracombe for a decade. It certainly doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, probably because we are so passionate about what we do and immersed in the day-to-day service.

Extensive Renovations

When Michael and I bought the hotel in 2015, we had big plans to turn it into Ilfracombe’s first four-star hotel. We knew that the town needed something special to offer to guests visiting the area and we set out to make that happen. Note, we’d also taken a read of the local council’s strategy which demanded an upmarket product. So it made sense to work hard in Ilfracombe.

So of course a lot of hard work, blood sweat and many tears went into creating the hotel you see today. Over the ten years, we have renovated all parts of the hotel. Guest bedrooms, have been rebuilt, with a complete overhaul ensuring that as our guests you can enjoy the levels of luxury and comfort you deserve. We’ve reduced the rooms from 49 to 38 as we have knocked former rooms together. It’s fair to say that we have rebuilt from top-to-toe: basements, boilers, toilets, restaurants and event rooms, plumbing, wiring, windows and roof. All are brand new.

We have refitted the dining room and bar so that our guests can enjoy their dining experience in a relaxed and atmospheric environment. The kitchen has also undergone extensive work so our kitchen team can create their magic in the best possible conditions.

Excellent Customer Service

But the work hasn’t just been building work. We’ve also worked hard to provide the best service possible. We are proud of all our staff members who have been with us over the past 10 years and who pull out all the stops to make sure that our guests have the best possible experience when they holiday in Ilfracombe at The Carlton.

Traveller’s Choice Award

One of our proudest moments was being awarded the 2021 Travellers’ Choice Award for Hotels from TripAdvisor. This award meant that our hotel was named among the world’s top 10% of hotels. The fact that we received this award in 2021, after the very challenging period of global lockdowns that devastated the hospitality industry, really meant so much to Michael and I, and the whole team.

The Travellers’ Choice Award was also based on customer reviews, and many of those customers return here year after year, so that means even more to us.

Staying Competitive

The landscape has changed so much since we took over ownership of The Carlton and sometimes it feels it is now more challenging to be competitive. But we stick to our knitting and enjoy a challenge!

We are up against other accommodation providers that can appear to be competitive and undercut our pricing. They could be less regulated or less burdened than your traditional hotel, think of AirBnBs, who don’t pay business or local rates or incur proper overheads like insurance. In addition to this, overseas holidays in Europe often have lower or no VAT equivalent taxes. So it is challenging to be competitive these days.

We have combatted this by ensuring we buy local, maximise our supplier network and joining forces with similar properties to shout about our offer.

Discerning Customers

We have also noticed a rise in expectations. Discerning customers rightly expect a more authentic and unique experience. We know that you want genuine engagement from the business, the way we operate and especially from us as owners and our team.

We recognise that as our guests you expect our services to provide similar comforts to what you would have at home such as online digital access, high-speed WiFi and EV charge points. But we also know that you expect the added flourishes you don’t get at home like exceptional food and drink, room service, a gym, and spa treatments.

Future Challenges

We also know that we have many challenges on the horizon that we will need to overcome to stay competitive. Of course, AI and technology will increasingly impact the catering industry and we will need to adjust to this.

But we believe the advent of AI will lead to an increase in desire for human interaction. Our guests at least are interested in the hotel community and the wider community of Ilfracombe. We know that you care about what is happening in the town and how we at The Carlton interact with the local community.

We also know that our guests care about their impact on the environment and the local economy here in North Devon and we really appreciate the care that you show us when you come to visit.

We know that statistics show that 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, 30% in their second year, and 50% fail after five years in business. These figures come as no surprise to us and we are very grateful to count ourselves amongst the 50% who survive past five years.

The Secret to Our Success?

What’s the secret to our success? I would say that we have been very intentional with staying ahead of the curve and pre-empting what our guests need and want from the hotel.

Obviously, none of us could have predicted the events that unfolded in 2020/21 but we were well-positioned to deal with the fallout when it occurred. We invested early in our new bedrooms and public facilities which meant that when Covid 19 struck, we were in a better place to deal with the change in rules and the needs of our guests. Having a generous public area also meant we could distance our guests.

Lessons Learnt?

The biggest lesson we have learnt over the past 10 years is, in the words of Commander Quincy Taggart from the movie Galaxy Questone: “Never give up, never surrender”. I would also say that working with your partner is very stressful but it can be done. Many said it couldn’t!

Finally, you cannot put a price on the value that comes from putting into practice the many previous years of experience, learning from others and absorbing their knowledge has been a privilege and an art. We recommend this to others!

Late Summer Hotel Anniversary Celebration Offers

In celebration of 10 years in business, we are happy to offer you the following hotel anniversary celebration deals:

Free Sunday Lunch

We are offering the following to anyone who books a 2-night stay arriving on a Sunday until the end of November 2024.

Book a minimum 2-night stay arriving on a Sunday
Get a complimentary Sunday lunch on arrival

T&Cs: This deal only applies to stays of a minimum 2-nights and is based on 2 people sharing.

Call 01271 862446 to book this special deal and quote the code SUNDAY.

Free Brasserie Dinner

For all bookings of 3 nights or more after 22nd September you can enjoy a complimentary evening meal for the usual room and breakfast rate.

Book a minimum 3-night stay arriving after 22nd September
Get a complimentary dinner on two nights, two courses in our Brasserie

T&Cs: This deal only applies to stays of a minimum 3-nights and is based on 2 people sharing. Must arrive between 22nd September and 30 October 2024

Call 01271 862446 to book this special deal and quote the code DINNER.

We want to thank all our guests who have stayed or dined with us over the past ten years. You are what makes The Carlton such a special place and we are so grateful to each and every one of you.

Here’s to the next ten years!

Exciting Corporate Away Day Ideas Your Team Will Look Forward To

The mere mention of corporate away day ideas and team building activities can strike fear into the heart of employees. Enforced bonding with work colleagues while doing activities designed to foster personal and professional development doesn’t always go down as hoped. But when done right, company away days have many benefits.

Benefits of Corporate Away Days

From improved employee wellbeing and boosted morale to better communication and stronger motivation, team-building days away from the office can encourage creativity, collaboration and innovation that can positively impact the future performance of the team.

Planning a Successful Company Away Day

To create a corporate away day that has your employees recounting their fond memories of it for years to come, there are certain elements that you should ensure you bear in mind when planning your team-building activities for your company away days.

Consider the Purpose

When considering corporate away day ideas, firstly, think about the purpose of your team away day. Are you looking to facilitate brainstorming, strategising and innovation related to specific company challenges? Or is this a social exercise that allows team members to let off steam or a celebration that rewards them for their hard work? Whatever the purpose, make sure that the team is aware of the goal.

Get the Balance Right

Not all team members will share the boss’ love of paintball so it’s important to try to cater to a variety of interests and preferences. Get to know the team members who will be involved in the team-building day and the kinds of activities that they are most interested in. You may have to go with the majority when making a decision on corporate away day ideas or you could have smaller groups doing different activities.

It’s also important to find the balance between corporate activities and fun team bonding activities. Make sure everyone knows what the boundaries are and how they are expected to behave.

Choose the Location

The location is a very important factor in any company away day. Corporate team-building days should take place away from the office as this is rarely conducive to creativity or innovation and isn’t really somewhere we associate with fun or relaxing.

Instead choose a neutral territory and preferably somewhere inspirational. We may be biased, but what more inspirational place is there for a corporate away day than the beautiful coastal location of North Devon. Our diverse array of landscapes captivate and inspire visitors.

From the dramatic cliffs and rugged coastline of the South West Coast Path to the serene, sandy beaches to the region’s rolling hills and lush, green countryside and moorland, North Devon provides the perfect backdrop for team-building outdoor adventures.

Select Your Venue

Photo by Guy Harrop. Pic of Carlton Hotel, Ilfracombe image copyright Guy Harrop info@guyharrop.com 07866 464282

When you know where to hold your team building away day, you will then need to find a venue to host your team members. The venue will act as a base where your employees will take part in the activities that you have organised for them. If you’re planning a longer event that requires an overnight stay choose somewhere that has enough accommodation for your team.

Hotels are always a good call as we can cater to all your needs. Here at the Carlton we have business facilities that can be used, plenty of rooms to accommodate large groups and the dining facilities to keep your team fed and fuelled.

We can create bespoke corporate away day package to suit your needs and make sure that your team-building away days run smoothly.

Choose Your Activities

All that is left to do now is choose your team-building activities. And we are really lucky up here on the North Devon coast. We are spoilt for choice here especially when it comes to outdoor adventure and getting out in nature. But that’s not all, there are all sorts of fun activities that we can help you to organise for your corporate team building away day in North Devon. So, let’s take a look at some of the corporate away day ideas that you could consider here on our doorstep in North Devon.

Corporate Away Day Ideas in North Devon

Water Sports

H2Outdoor is located a short drive away in Woolacombe and offers an exciting range of water sports and outdoor activities all in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for coasteering, or kayaking, surfing or stand-up paddle boarding or wild swimming H2Outdoor can provide top-class adventure activities and packages that your team will love.

H2Outdoor Adventure Specialist Matthew De Havilland says: “H2Outdoor has packages available to provide the perfect solution for your corporate event requirements. We are able to organise sessions ideal for entertaining clients, creating incentive reward schemes and for providing challenges aimed at general team building and enhancing individual strengths. Specific activities are combined to meet your team-building requirements, whether that is extreme adventure for the adrenalin junkies or a relaxing paddle along the coast for more informal occasions. Fantastic activities with high-quality equipment and first-class facilities at the New Ilfracombe Water Sports Hub.”

Off Road Adventures

If adrenaline-fuelled activities are what you are looking for, Keyypitts Off-Road Adventures may be right up your street. Try quad biking around 200 acres of challenging scenic terrain or learn to drive off-road in a Land Rover Discovery 4X4 adventure. Alternatively, try your hand at one of their motorcycle trials and take on the range of terrain Keypitts has to offer.

Golf

At Ilfracombe Golf Club you can see the sea from every tee making it one of the most spectacular locations in the South West for a team-building round of golf. As you tee off on the rugged cliffs of the North Devon coast, you get to take in the awe-inspiring view over to the Welsh Coast, Lundy Island and off to the Atlantic horizon. What could be more inspiring than that?

Clay Pigeon Shooting

If golf doesn’t sound like a hole in one for your company away day, may clay pigeon shooting will hit the target instead? We have a number of clay pigeon shooting ranges to choose from up here on the North Devon Coast.

Located in a beautiful valley setting just off the main road to Woolacombe Beach, you’ll find North Devon Shoot Ground. Here they cater for all levels of shooting experience so whether you’re a dab hand with a gun or never pulled the trigger before, you will get the support and guidance that you need to enjoy your team-building away day activities.

Right here on our doorstep, the South West Shooting School also caters to groups and corporate away days tailoring them to suit your experience or fit with your timetable.

Vineyard Visits

If high-adrenaline activities and sports are not to your liking, consider maybe a leisurely vineyard tour and wine tasting experience. Saunton Vineyard is a boutique vineyard here in North Devon, situated between the beautiful hamlets of Lobb and Saunton. Regular vineyard tours and tastings take place throughout the summer months and allow you to sample three different wines.

Art Activities

Maybe something more creative would go down well for your team-building activities. If this sounds like something you would like to explore we could help you to organise an art workshop with a local artist.

Mark Woollacott is a professional coastal artist based in Ilfracombe and he runs classes for beginners as well as artists with some experience. He specialises in landscape and coastal painting so if this is something you and your team are interested in, let us help you set it up.

Horse Riding

Spending time with animals can be a really great way to bring your team together. Mullacott Riding Centre can offer hacks around its 600 acre farm for all abilities or a gallop along a local beach for more experienced riders.

Chocolate Making Workshop

$Chocolate making workshop at the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium$

Who doesn’t love chocolate? They don’t call it the food of the Gods for nothing. Down in Ilfracombe town centre you will find The Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium, where handmade artisan chocolate is loving crafted and sold.

Owner Jeanette will take you and your employees on a journey of understanding how chocolate is made and will then teach you how to make your own and how to temper, flavour, shape and decorate your handmade chocolates.

Plus, you get to take them home with you afterwards.

Cookery Course

If your team don’t have a sweet tooth, maybe a cookery course would be of more interest. Coastal Cooking Ilfracombe offer informal and relaxed cookery classes to help you create an enjoyable and engaging team building day.

Whether you’re interested in bread, game, fish, vegetarian food, pasties & scones, pizza, seafood or different cuisines, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Book Your Corporate Away Day in North Devon

If any of these team building activities sound like they fit the bill for your corporate away day, why not contact us to discuss how we can help you to organise it.

North Devon is the perfect location to get away to, with stunning scenery and endless options for activities, your team will be spoilt for choice.

The Carlton Hotel is ideally situated in Ilfracombe to serve as your base while your employees go off to explore all that the region has to offer and take part in their team building activities. We have all the facilities you need to make your stay memorable and productive. Our luxurious rooms can accommodate your staff members overnight and our conference facilities can be used to get your team together. They can dine in the Brasserie and relax in the bar.

Whatever your needs are, we are sure we can help you to create a corporate away day that your team will actually look forward to. We can create a bespoke package to meet your needs facilitated through our partnerships with local artisans and activity providers.

To plan your company away day and discuss your requirements contact Eliot on 01271 862446 or email eliot@ilfracombecarlton.co.uk

Coastal Clay Pigeon Shooting Break

North Devon is an ideal place for clay pigeon shooting break. The Carlton works with two local shooting clubs and well experienced in accommodating shooting parties of all sizes.

If you’re at home on the range or looking to pick up a clay for the first time, there is great fun to be had by rounding up a posse and heading down to the West Country for a clay pigeon shooting break. The Carlton Hotel in Ilfracombe, North Devon has been hosting clay pigeon shooting parties for many years and stands out proud from the pack thanks to its association with two of the best sited shooting grounds in North Devon. Offering the complete package – for novice and pro shooters – the Carlton plays host to clay busting individuals, couples, a handful of mates or full blown clay pigeon shooting break parties. High quality 4* standard rooms (the hotel has recently undergone extensive refurbishment) promise a great night’s sleep after a day spent in range of the traps. The Carlton Hotel’s facilities include a dedicated gun room with individual gun safes, drying room to cater for shooting break parties, an excellent bar and restaurant (dinner deals available) and all the facilities you would expect from a top class hotel, from high speed broadband to private gym. As a destination, Ilfracombe provides all the ingredients for a great weekend or mid week break away, with sea view restaurants serving up fresh catches of the day and local pubs serving regional ales and ciders.

Pulling Power on the Doorstep

The Carlton Hotel has two fantastic shooting grounds in North Devon as partners for our clay pigeon shooting breaks, both of which are just minutes away. The North Devon Shooting Ground and South West Shooting School both offer a wide range of packages – from ‘Have a go’ specials to activities and programmes for corporate and larger clay pigeon shooting parties. With the sport increasingly attracting new participants, both shooting grounds cater for all ages and abilities (with family friendly options too) and can provide shotgun hire on site. Some shooting parties visiting the Carlton like to make a real wild West Country weekend of it and also book in stops along the way at shoots in Taunton and Holsworthy.

From the Traps: A Brief History of Clay Pigeon Shooting

The clay (pigeon), as we know it, began life in America in 1880 and soon found its way onto British shores, it’s flight ‘somewhat resembling the flight of a partridge’ according to The Field (or Country Gentleman’s Newspaper) at the time. Trap shooting, as an event, promoted by the rather uninspiring sounding Inanimate Bird Shooting Associationsoon grew in popularity and by the turn of the century there the 1900 summer Olympics witnessed clays flying around the skies of Paris! As the Twentieth century progressed this popular alternative to live game shooting became a sport of its own, adapting to the demands of its participants as the clays coming out the traps took on a new life of their own with tweaks to trajectory, speed clay size and distance. Fast forward to the present day and clay pigeon shooting parties are no longer just the preserve of older country gentlemen as evidenced by increased participation by women as well as the younger generations.

It’s all About the Bird Talk

For such an inanimate and inoffensive object (essentially a fragile clay frisbee), there’s a ferocity to much of the terminology used around clay pigeons. Released from ‘traps’ with a shout of “Pull!” from those in the ‘stands’, the ‘birds’ (clays) are first seen at the ‘pick up point’ before being dispatched in the ‘kill zone’. While such jargon is every day speak for pros,it can be confusing for novices trying out for the first time. Unless gifted with a natural marksman’s eye – or incredible beginner’s luck -one thing most novices will experience is the obligatory shake of the head at the sight of a ‘bird away’ (missed clay), not to mention letting loose the occasional curse word (fortunately no one will hear you as it is mandatory to wear ear and eye protection while shooting!) Challenging, addictive and jolly good fun to be had in the country, clay pigeon shooting is one of those sports, a little like golf, where somewhere between the extremes most shooters experience good days and bad days and the occasional day when ‘sometimes the magic just happens’! If you’re looking to get away for a clay pigeon shooting break that combines high class hotel accommodation with access to excellent shooting grounds in North Devon, contact Ilfracombe’s Carlton Hotel on 01271 862446 or email relax@ilfracombecarlton.co.uk for advice, bookings and further information.