Tunnels Beaches

Tunnels Beaches is a private beach wedding venue in Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast. You reach it through a tunnel carved by hand through the cliff, which opens onto secluded beaches, rocks and rugged coastline. Ceremonies, receptions and elopements all take place on site, and four self-catering houses at the entrance give you and your guests somewhere to stay.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

The beach is private, so your ceremony and celebration are not shared with passing walkers or day visitors. One in-house team runs the catering, which keeps the day simple to plan. You can choose anything from a full wedding with a big evening party to an elopement with a handful of people, so the scale is yours to set. If you want the sea as your backdrop and a venue with real character, it stands out on the Devon coast.

Ceremonies

There are two licensed ceremony settings. The first is a thatched gazebo overlooking the sea. The second is the contemporary venue building, which is fully air conditioned and has built-in sound and lighting, and gives you a dependable option if the weather turns. Elopements are offered for 2 to 18 people, with an all-inclusive elopement package for groups of 12 to 18.

Receptions and food

The venue holds up to 150 guests during the day and up to 200 in the evening. All catering is in-house, with gourmet barbecue menus and drinks packages, which suits a relaxed celebration by the water. The west-facing coastline means sunsets can become part of the evening.

Staying

Four self-catering properties sit at the main entrance. The Bath House, a Grade II listed building from 1836, The Courtyard and The Woodlands each have nine en-suite bedrooms. Runnymede House, a Gothic-style Grade II listed building from 1840, has six and has recently been renovated. Each property is booked as a whole, for a minimum of two nights around the wedding date.

Getting there and the area

The venue is on Bath Place, a short walk from Ilfracombe town centre and the harbour. Ilfracombe sits at the end of the A361 from Barnstaple, which has the nearest railway station, on the line from Exeter. The South West Coast Path runs through the town, and the beaches at Woolacombe and Saunton are a short drive away for guests who want to stay on.

Good to know

• Up to 150 day guests and 200 evening guests
• All catering and drinks are handled in-house
• 33 en-suite bedrooms across four houses at the entrance