Clovelly, a village in North Devon, is among the most distinctive in the UK, nestled into a dramatic sea cliff so steep that cars are banned from its cobbled streets. Residents rely on sledges to haul items up and down the hillside instead of vehicles.
A village of cobbles and climbing
TikTok user David Ashman visited the village and was astounded by what he found. The village comprises a maze of cobbled streets, with a pub and hotel at both the top and bottom of the slope, meaning residents and visitors face plenty of climbing. David described an "obscene amount" of cobbles separating the two ends.
At the base, the streets emerge towards a picturesque harbour, while a short stroll away sits a waterfall framed by striking coastal scenery. David said he could imagine it being "pretty cool" to live there, though the relentless walking would keep residents in good shape.
Entrance fee and visitor access
Visitors must pay an entrance fee to access the village during the summer months, purchasing a ticket before exploring its streets and seaside panoramas. Recording his experience on TikTok, David described the village as among the most remarkable locations he had encountered in the UK and urged followers to seek out more unconventional destinations.
One user responded: "My dad grew up here and they used to live around the inn. People back then would leave their doors open in summer and one time some American tourists just walked right in to the house because they didn't think people actually live here. [They] just thought it was some quaint preserved village for tourists."
Another user added: "Ok just to confirm the queries. Car park at the bottom for hotel guests only. Car park further up for residents but no access to the cobbly bits. Car park right at the top for visitors and the only access from there is via visitor centre, shop etc. Yes, you have to pay because it is a family owned private estate. The same as paying to go into Longleat, etc. All the residents and businesses are tenants of the estate, hence no second home usage. If anyone fancies it, the lease on the pub at the top was up for renewal last year. Not sure of its current status."
Why there is a charge
According to Clovelly's official website, there has always been a charge to visit the village. A statement reads: "Like most historical landmarks (e.g. National Trust sites), we heavily rely on entrance fees for the essential maintenance and upkeep that comes with an ancient village perched on a 400ft cliff, with no vehicular access. Your entry fee also goes towards our tree planting and conservation initiatives that you can see around the village."
The entrance fee includes entry to the village, parking, entry to Clovelly Court Gardens, entry to the Fisherman's Cottage and Kingsley Museum, an audio-visual experience, access to walks and picnic spots, and a contribution towards the care of the donkeys. Prices from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027 are £10.90 for adults, £6.25 for children aged 7–16, free for under-7s, £27.00 for a family of two adults and two children, £35.00 for an adult annual pass, and £85.00 for a family annual pass.
