Allen's Rock

Island in Devon North Devon

England

Allen's Rock

Looking downstream on the River Taw near Fremington Quay
Looking downstream on the River Taw near Fremington Quay Credit: Roger A Smith

Allen's Rock is a small island located off the coast of Devon, England. It is situated in the Bristol Channel, approximately 4 miles south of the town of Ilfracombe. The island is part of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

Covering an area of around 10 acres, Allen's Rock is predominantly made up of rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops. The island is uninhabited and is accessible only by boat. It is named after Captain Allen, a local sailor who discovered the rock in the 19th century.

The island is home to a diverse range of bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers. Puffins, guillemots, and razorbills can be spotted nesting on the cliffs during the breeding season. Seals are also a common sight around the island, often seen basking on the rocks.

The waters surrounding Allen's Rock are teeming with marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. The clear waters offer excellent visibility and divers can explore the underwater caves and reefs, which are home to a variety of colorful fish and other marine creatures.

Visitors to Allen's Rock can enjoy stunning coastal views and peaceful walks along the shoreline. However, it is important to note that there are no facilities or amenities on the island, so visitors should come prepared with food, water, and appropriate clothing.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Allen's Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.080001/-4.1387411 or Grid Reference SS5033. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Looking downstream on the River Taw near Fremington Quay
Looking downstream on the River Taw near Fremington Quay
A footpath leading from Lapwing Grove to the Tarka Trail
A footpath leading from Lapwing Grove to the Tarka Trail
A footpath leading from the Tarka Trail to Lapwing Grove
A footpath leading from the Tarka Trail to Lapwing Grove
Roadworks with temporary traffic lights on the B3233 to the west of Fremington
Roadworks with temporary traffic lights on the B3233 to the west of Fremington
A "clinker built" shelter On an exposed section of the cycle path around the Taw estuary.
A "clinker built" shelter
On an exposed section of the cycle path around the Taw estuary.
Fuel tanks near Yelland Part of a small industrial estate
Fuel tanks near Yelland
Part of a small industrial estate
The Tarka Trail at Yelland At the level crossing where the Barnstaple to Torrington railway (now the Tarka Trail cycle way) crossed the access road to East Yelland power station, the rails are still left in the road surface. The power station was here from the early 1950s until the mid-1980s, the sub-station visible in the background and a derelict jetty being its only reminders now.
The Tarka Trail at Yelland
At the level crossing where the Barnstaple to Torrington railway (now the Tarka Trail cycle way) crossed the access road to East Yelland power station, the rails are still left in the road surface. The power station was here from the early 1950s until the mid-1980s, the sub-station visible in the background and a derelict jetty being its only reminders now.
Pill's Mouth, River Taw The little River Caen (left) enters the Taw estuary among salt-marshes. Looking east up the Taw towards Barnstaple.
Pill's Mouth, River Taw
The little River Caen (left) enters the Taw estuary among salt-marshes. Looking east up the Taw towards Barnstaple.
Isley Marsh RSPB Bird Reserve Taw Estuary N Devon Taken from The Tarka Trail footpath and cycle track, between Instow and Fremington, N Devon; looking north east.
Isley Marsh RSPB Bird Reserve Taw Estuary N Devon
Taken from The Tarka Trail footpath and cycle track, between Instow and Fremington, N Devon; looking north east.
Spring Tide Debris Looking out towards the estuary from the shelter (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/307158">SX8140 : Beesands Sea Defences</a>) finds a whole heap of dead vegetation at the landward edge of the salt marsh pushed here by the highest tides.
Spring Tide Debris
Looking out towards the estuary from the shelter (SX8140 : Beesands Sea Defences) finds a whole heap of dead vegetation at the landward edge of the salt marsh pushed here by the highest tides.
Tarka Trail and Royal Marines' Base Walkers on the trail pass the water tower on the other side of the perimeter fence.
Tarka Trail and Royal Marines' Base
Walkers on the trail pass the water tower on the other side of the perimeter fence.
Railway gradient marker The marker shows a sharpening of the uphill gradient on the former London & South Western Railway route to Ilfracombe, now part of the Tarka Trail.
Railway gradient marker
The marker shows a sharpening of the uphill gradient on the former London & South Western Railway route to Ilfracombe, now part of the Tarka Trail.
River Taw. Lower Yelland At high tide the river hides the tortuous channel which allows navigation for large vessels as far as Barnstaple Bridge.  In the distance is the runway of Chivenor airfield.
River Taw. Lower Yelland
At high tide the river hides the tortuous channel which allows navigation for large vessels as far as Barnstaple Bridge. In the distance is the runway of Chivenor airfield.
Pill's Mouth Pill's Mouth confluence of the River Taw and River Caen
Pill's Mouth
Pill's Mouth confluence of the River Taw and River Caen
Pills Mouth Pills  Mouth looking towards Barnstaple.
Pills Mouth
Pills Mouth looking towards Barnstaple.
Pills Mouth
Pills Mouth
Confluence of the Rivers Caen and Taw The confluence of the Rivers Caen and the larger River Taw at Pill's Mouth.
Confluence of the Rivers Caen and Taw
The confluence of the Rivers Caen and the larger River Taw at Pill's Mouth.
The River Caen The River Caen at low tide viewed from near Pill's Mouth, Braunton can be seen in the background.
The River Caen
The River Caen at low tide viewed from near Pill's Mouth, Braunton can be seen in the background.
Show me another place!

Allen's Rock is located at Grid Ref: SS5033 (Lat: 51.080001, Lng: -4.1387411)

Administrative County: Devon

District: North Devon

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///juggler.unfilled.centuries. Near Fremington, Devon

Related Wikis

Fremington Army Camp

Fremington Army Camp was a military camp in the village of Fremington, Devon, England, which was used as a base to train the United States Army Air Corps. It was originally located there to be within easy marching distance from the railway station at the Quay. == History == The site was used by the US Army's 313th Station Hospital for post-D-Day rehabilitation, with room for 2,000 patients and started receiving casualties on 20 July 1944, during the Second World War.

RAF Chivenor

Royal Air Force Chivenor, or more simply RAF Chivenor, (ICAO: EGDC) was a Royal Air Force station located on the northern shore of the River Taw estuary, on the north coast of Devon, England. The nearest towns are Barnstaple and Braunton. Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the site was taken over by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in May 1940 for use as a RAF Coastal Command Station.

RM Chivenor

Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor is a British military base used primarily by 3 Commando Brigade. It is situated on the northern shore of the River Taw estuary, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, on the north coast of Devon, England. The nearest towns are Barnstaple and Braunton.

Church of St Peter, Fremington

The Church of St Peter is the Anglican parish church for Fremington, now a suburb of nearby Barnstaple but at one time a separate village. There has been a church on the site since at least 1268 with the present structure mostly dating to the 13th and 15th-centuries. The church comes under the Diocese of Exeter and has been a Grade II* listed building since 1965.

Fremington railway station

Fremington railway station served the village of Fremington, Devon, England, from 1855 to 1965 on the Bideford Extension Railway. Located at Fremington Quay, about a mile from the centre of the village. == History == The station was opened on 2 November 1855 by the London and South Western Railway.

Yelland

Yelland is a village of 2,000 inhabitants situated in North Devon between Instow and Fremington in the English county of Devon. Yelland is included within the parish of Fremington. == Amenities == There is a garage, and a small industrial park.

Fremington Local Nature Reserve

Fremington Local Nature Reserve is a Local Nature Reserve situated between Bideford and Barnstaple in North Devon. The Local Nature Reserve was designated in 2006. The reserve comprises two separate areas: Lovell's Field and Leat Meadow.

Heanton Punchardon

Heanton Punchardon ( ) is a village, civil parish and former manor, anciently part of Braunton Hundred. It is situated directly east-southeast of the village of Braunton, in North Devon. The parish lies on the north bank of the estuary of the River Taw and it is surrounded, clockwise from the north, by the parishes of Braunton, Marwood, Ashford and across the estuary, Fremington.

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.080001,-4.1387411
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0784529/-4.1326021
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0782776/-4.1323339
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0785338/-4.1333102
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0786281/-4.1342865
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0786146/-4.1346191
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0785338/-4.1353487
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0791829/-4.1380034
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0793716/-4.1383038
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0794525/-4.1388403
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0796278/-4.1391407
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.079439/-4.1400419
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0791829/-4.1426812
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0792368/-4.1418873
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0794256/-4.1441832
Source: Landsat photo
Lat/Long: 51.0797645/-4.1451495
Allen's Rock
Natural: rock
Source: OS OpenData StreetView
Lat/Long: 51.0799917/-4.1386471
Natural: spring
Lat/Long: 51.0767811/-4.1393072
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.075667/-4.1387746
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0760141/-4.1367844
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0763739/-4.1348156
Location Transition: yes
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0785756/-4.1367736
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0779487/-4.13845
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0773825/-4.1401023
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0768601/-4.1414997
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0762551/-4.1375729
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0765045/-4.1362238
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0767893/-4.1347593
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0770657/-4.1333632
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Allen's Rock?

Leave your review of Allen's Rock below (or comments, questions and feedback).