Council Office, Co-Op & Scarratts
Drawing and text by kind permission of Jim Bates.

 This fine row of Victorian houses is a reminder that once the High Street was primarily residential, with shops and businesses occupying the front rooms of dwelling houses. The sketch of the houses can be dated from 1874 from the decorations on the nearest house. These heralded the coming of the railway to Ilfracombe after a long struggle hence the motto ‘Nil Desperandum’ (never despairing). The terrace is in the late Georgian (or Regency) style and was most likely built in the 1830’s.