The drystone quay was started in the 13th Century, extended in the 16th Century and lengthened again in 1826. The four cannon barrels used as bollards on the quay are said to come from Spanish ships from the Armada.
In the past centuries, this coastline was rife with smuggling, wrecking and piracy and was notorious for shipwrecks.
Since 1870, Clovelly has had its own lifeboat to help protect those in peril on the sea. The bay is sheltered from westerly winds and even today ships will wait in Clovelly Roads for storms to pass.
The first houses were built alongside the quay of which the oldest is Crazy Kate's Cottage, built in the 15th Century. Clovelly was once a bustling fishing port, famed for its winter herring and summer mackerel. When fishing was good, 9,000 herring could be landed at one time! It is reported that 400 donkey loads were carried up the hill in one day. Although fishing has declined, it is still a part of village life and fresh catches can be sampled in the village restaurants. There is usually plenty of sweet Clovelly lobsters and crabs available during the Summer months.
On the other side of the harbour, there is an old limekiln once used for turning limestone into lime to spread on the fields and reduce soil acidity.
For details of everything from fishing trips to diving with seals, please ask at the Visitor Centre or the New Inn Hotel or Red Lion Hotel. Contact details are under Contact Us. More information can also be found under Harbour Activities.
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