Wedding & Elopement Photographer at Tunnels Beaches, Devon

Tunnels Beaches, Bath Place, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8AN

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Tunnels Beaches, Devon

Tunnels Beaches is a North Devon wedding venue that is hard to replicate. You arrive in Ilfracombe, walk through a hand-carved tunnel in the cliff and then suddenly everything opens out to the sea.

There is a private beach, dramatic rock formations, open sky and that unbeatable feeling of being right on the edge of the North Devon coast.

Your wedding ceremony can take place in the gazebo overlooking the sea or inside the venue building, which still keeps those coastal views very much part of the day.

From a photography point of view, what I love most is the variety packed into one place. We can move from the tunnel itself to the beach, the terrace, the rocks and the sea views – the options really are endless.

Most importantly, the venue never feels like the photographs have to take over. The scenery already has the wow factor, so I can keep things relaxed and let the day unfold around you.

It also suits couples who want something a bit less traditional. The whole venue has a relaxed, informal feel, but with romance at every turn. You can have a full wedding with up to 150 day guests, a larger evening celebration, or something much smaller through one of the venue’s elopement or intimate wedding options.

My Experience Here

Tunnels beaches is one of North Devon’s most iconic beach wedding settings and somewhere I have loved photographing over the years.

With its dramatic coastal views, intimate atmosphere for elopements and party vibes for larger weddings set in this unique cliff and beach setting, where modern architecture meets history.

It offers endless opportunities for natural and romantic imagery.

I know the venue and its surroundings incredibly well, allowing me to capture the magic of each wedding here in a relaxed, effortless way.

Visit Tunnels Beaches website

Best Locations For Wedding Photos at Tunnels Beaches, Devon

A few of my favourite spots around Tunnels Beaches for relaxed, natural wedding photos.

The Tunnel Entrance

The walk through the hand-carved tunnel immediately gives you something different from your typical wedding venue. I particularly love this location for arrival photographs and creating a sense of anticipation before you reach the beachside setting.

The Sea-View Ceremony Area

The outdoor gazebo is one of the defining features of Tunnels Beaches. It sits overlooking the sea, so the ceremony photographs naturally include the coastline without having to move you elsewhere afterwards.

The Private Beach


This is a wonderful choice for relaxed couple portraits. Rocks, sea, movement and changing light all give me plenty to work with, while still keeping the photographs recognisably ‘North Devon’.

The Rocky Shoreline

The rocks create a more dramatic backdrop than a sandy beach and are particularly lovely for wider portraits where the landscape becomes part of the image.

The Terrace & Garden

These areas are useful for confetti, drinks reception photographs and natural guest interactions because everyone is already gathered together overlooking the beach.

Sunset Portraits

Tunnels Beaches is particularly well suited to taking the couple out again briefly later in the day when the light changes. The venue itself highlights its secluded beaches and sunsets, so it is worth building a few spare minutes into the evening if the conditions are looking good.

Indoor Alternatives if it Rains

The indoor ceremony space still overlooks the garden and sea, which means wet weather does not suddenly remove the coastal feel from the photographs. The venue can make the final outdoor/indoor decision close to the ceremony depending on conditions.

Seasonal Photography at Tunnels Beaches

Spring

Spring can be a lovely time at Tunnels Beaches because the coastline often feels fresh and open before the busiest summer months arrive. The light tends to be softer than high summer, which can work beautifully for portraits on the beach and around the rocks.

Summer

Summer is when couples can make the most of outdoor ceremonies, longer evenings and those later sunset portraits. The main thing to remember is that strong midday sun can be harsh by the coast, so I would not necessarily try to do every couple portrait straight after the ceremony. A short session later in the day can give a completely different feel.

Autumn

Autumn brings more changeable skies and richer evening light, which can actually work wonderfully on the coast. You may get more movement, cloud and drama in the background, so I would embrace the conditions rather than worry about needing a perfectly clear day.

Winter

Tunnels Beaches also offers intimate winter weddings and elopements between November and March. The venue has an indoor ceremony option with sea views, so winter couples can still keep the coastline very much part of the day. For photography, winter can mean moodier skies, softer light and more focus on the indoor spaces as well as the sea.

“If I could recommend one place for portraits it’s definitely the sea pool edge and sunset on the beach”

Top Tips for Couples

  • Don’t panic about the weather. The venue has a fabulous indoor alternative, and I can adapt portrait timings around showers / bad weather.
  • Leave flexibility in the schedule.
  • Consider your footwear. If you want photographs on the beach or rocks, a second pair of shoes can make life easier.
  • Make time for evening light if you can (you’ll get a different style of couple portraits)

Local Knowledge

Tunnels Beaches sits right in Ilfracombe, making it an ideal North Devon wedding venue for guests to stay locally and make a weekend of your celebration.

Accommodation near Tunnels Beaches

Tunnels Beaches has several of its own self-catering properties around the entrance, including:

  • The Bath House
  • The Courtyard
  • The Woodlands
  • Runnymede House
  • The Bridal/Family Suite
  • The Sea Suite

But other properties nearby are beautiful and I recommend the following

Food & Drink near Tunnels Beaches

The Bay Café & Bakery, on Ilfracombe Harbour near Damien Hirst’s Verity statue.

Travelling to Tunnels Beaches

Tunnels Beaches is at Bath Place, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8AN.

  • Nearest town: Ilfracombe itself
  • Nearest railway station: Barnstaple, with onward bus connections to Ilfracombe.
  • Road: Guests driving into North Devon will generally approach via the A361 North Devon Link Road before continuing towards Ilfracombe.
  • Airport: Exeter Airport is the main regional airport option for many guests flying into Devon.
  • For guests travelling by train or staying in different parts of North Devon, I would recommend arranging taxis in advance, particularly for the end of the evening.
A Taxis
Tor Moor Sea Taxis

Tunnels Beaches FAQs

A few of the things couples ask me most before booking – from where I travel to what you’ll receive after the day.

Yes, Tunnels Beaches is one of the North Devon venues I have had the joy of capturing regularly. I know the venue inside out so make the most of the setting for your wedding photography.

There is an indoor ceremony space with the same sea-facing aspect, so rain does not mean losing the coastal backdrop completely. The venue tries to keep ceremonies outdoors where possible and can leave the final decision until close to the ceremony.

Not directly on the beach. Legal ceremonies need to take place within an approved structure, so couples can marry in the gazebo overlooking the sea or inside the licensed venue building. 

Yes, the venue currently allows up to two well-behaved dogs for the ceremony and afternoon photographs, although they need to leave before the later food and evening celebrations. 

Yes. The venue has dedicated elopement options, including couple-only ceremonies and small celebrations for up to 18 people. 

Tunnels Beaches is ideally placed for exploring some of North Devon’s best-known attractions. Ilfracombe Harbour and the South West Coast Path are close by, while the wider area offers beautiful North Devon beaches, Exmoor National Park and boat trips from the harbour.

Full of colour.
Full of joy.
Full of life.

If you’re looking for a Devon wedding photographer who will make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, care about your people and capture your day with warmth, colour and energy I would love to hear about your plans.

Whether you are planning a wedding with the coastline as your backdrop, ready to have a celebration in the countryside or something entirely your own, I’d love to know what plans that are entirely you and heartfelt.

Fill out the form in as much detail as you can, I just can’t wait to hear what you’re planning!

    (I send a text to make sure you receive my email. Sometimes I end up in the junk!! How rude)