Congratulations to Ilfracombe for recently achieving "walkers are welcome" status. It's a new community led scheme to demonstrate the commitment to making your visit to Ilfracombe a very enjoyable one.(www.walkersarewelcome.ork.uk.)

For all those keen walkers amongst you, do not forget the forthcoming North Devon and Exmoor walking festival, now in it's twelth year. It runs from the 27th April-6th May 2012 and the first two days are based on walks that start from sunny Ilfracombe with all it's curious coastal charm!

Fancy walking some of the breathtaking South West Coast Path? Cycling along the tranquil Tarka Trail? Surfing the waves at the spectacular Woolacombe Beach? Or just spending some realaxing quality time away in one of North Devon's holiday hot spots.

Here at Ilfracombes biggest (and some would say best) backpackers we pride ourselves on offering top quality youth hostel accommodation to people from all walks of life. At the moment we are very busy keeping University surf clubs happy and judging by the review we recently received on the independent hostel guide website we must be doing something right.

We are very pleased to announce that the London Organising Comitee of the Olympic Games announced last week that the official Olympic Torch will pass through Ilfracombe on May 21st 2012. On it's third leg of a 70 day, 800 mile Olympic Torch Relay, the flame will travel from Exeter to Taunton via North Devon.

Ocean Backpackers got a mention in the travel section of the todays Guardian newspaper (Sunday 7th August). As quoted.. "For somewhere surfer-friendly to stay, try Ocean Backpackers Hostel, Ilfracombe" Well you heard it folks come and stay with us if you want quality budget accommodation near North Devon's top surf beaches woolacombe, croyde and saunton.

Ilfracombe recently welcomed the cruise ship MS Prinsendam. The town was well prepared for the 800 passengers and 470 crew members. Although we only offer top quality budget accommodation here at ocean backpackers and therefore did not directly benifit from this visit we made sure our frontage was looking it's best incase any of the visitors fancied a return trip and might want to stay in 1 of North Devon's top youth hostels.

It's Victorian week here in Ilfracombe so why not pay us a visit and see if you can spot people dressed in victiorian attire and not forgetting the fantastic finale this saturday when a spectacular fire work display will take place just up the road from Ocean Backpackers.

Lundy Island was featured on BBC 2's Britains Secret Seas programme on Sunday the 8th May. It was highlighting the fact that Lundy recently became the UK's 1st marine conservation zone. Take a day trip from Ilfracombe harbour which is just a 2 minute walk from Ocean Backpackers and don't forget to keep a look out for dolphins, porpoises, rare birds and seals on the way!

North Devons very own Gold Coast Ocean Festival is taking place in Croyde Bay on the weekend of 17th/18th and 19th June. We still have beds available here at Ocean Backpackers so why not come and check out the surf and music festivities in Croyde and stay at North Devons top quality youth hostel offering a high standard of accomodation at budget prices.