X
View All Blogs

50 THINGS TO DO IN NORTH DEVON #3

Visit North Devon's 'Little Switzerland'

LYNTON & LYNMOUTHVisit North Devon’s ‘Little Switzerland’

– Thanks to its Switzerland-esque landscapes, this area is on the North Devon coast is often called ‘Little Switzerland’. Visit Lynmouth and the neighbouring village of Lynton for walks, views and a fantastic cream tea. Make a full day of it, riding the cliff railway between the two! –

WHY VISIT LYNTON & LYNMOUTH?

Lush landscapes & lovely coastal treats!

If you’re looking for things to do in North Devon, this can be a full day trip, or a long afternoon after a lazy lie-in. A visit to Lynton & Lynmouth is perfect if you like fresh air adventuring, simple pleasures, boutique shopping and foodie fare.

ITINERARY

 

♥  How do you get to Lynton & Lynmouth from Woolacombe?

♥  What are the best things to do in Lynton?

♥  Walking to the Valley of the Rocks from Lynton

♥  Taking the The Cliff Railway from Lynton to Lynmouth

♥  Taking the Poet’s Walk between Lynton & Lynmouth

♥  What are the best things to do in Lynmouth?

♥  When is the best time to go to Lynton & Lynmnouth?

Compass

HOW TO GET TO
LYNTON & LYNMOUTH

from Woolacombe

Itinerary-wise, we’d start out at Lynton – giving you the option to take the Cliff Railway or walk down to Lynmouth. The cliff railway can be accessed at either the top station in Lynton or the bottom station in Lynmouth. At busy times the bottom station is very popular and queues are likely. To avoid these it’s best to time your visit so that you’re at the top station in Lynton in the afternoon. If you prefer to do this trip the other way round, get to Lynmouth earlier in the morning or towards the end of the day. Assuming you’re starting from Lynton, it’s around 40 minutes’ drive from the hotel:

DRIVING ROUTE

If you prefer, a longer route (50 minutes) is also available. This will take you through Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. It’s perfect if you’d like to stop off to see Damien Hirst’s controversial ‘Verity’ sculpture in Ilfracombe, or do a spot of crabbing in Combe Martin.

LONGER DRIVING ROUTE

There are also regular bus services to and from Lynton from Woolacombe (find out more).

Camera icon

THINGS TO DO
IN LYNTON

Let’s go exploring…

Once you reach Lynton, pull on your walking shoes and stretch your legs with a hike to the Valley of the Rocks. This is arguably one of the most spectacular scenic locations in North Devon and Exmoor. The walking route from the Cliff Railway Station is great for the views and the out-of-this world rock formations. A herd of friendly feral goats have made this their stomping ground – if you get lucky you’ll meet them! The 3 mile round-trip is a ‘classically easy’ walk on the South West Coast Path.

 

VALLEY OF THE ROCKS WALKING ROUTE

Once you return from the Valley of the Rocks, spend some time pootling around Lynton. The winding streets are filled with lovely shops and tea rooms. The Lyn Valley Arts & Crafts Centre is packed to the rafters with locally-made gifts and trinkets from pet accessories to jewelry. If you’re feeling peckish, The Cliff Top Cafe is perfect for a cream tea – best enjoyed with views across the bay! Otherwise, save your appetite for fish and chips or a pub lunch in Lynmouth.

Onto Lynmouth we go!

You have two options: walk or take the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway…

Lynton to Lynmouth

ON THE CLIFF RAILWAY

The famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway opened in 1890. It is the highest and the steepest 100% water powered railway in the world! Voted the ‘UK’s BEST Cliff Railway’ and one of the BEST historic attractions in the UK (Which? Reader Poll 2020), this is an impressive feat of engineering. Enjoy stunning views of the North Devon Coastline as you glide down the 862-foot track into Lynmouth. Tickets are around £3 per adult and £2 per child (single trip).

 

CLIFF RAILWAY WEBSITE

Lynton to Lynmouth

WALK THE ‘POET’S WALK’

If you prefer to walk, rather than take the Cliff Railway, there’s the classic walk from Lynton to Lynmouth on what is locally known as ‘zig-zag path’. It will take around 10-15 minutes. This is a steep walk but the views are worth it! Take the narrow road between St Mary’s Church and the Valley of Rocks Hotel. This is North Walk. Where the road branches, take a right turn then first left. Check out the little folk along the way and take time to read some of the poems as you go.

There are plenty of signs to help guide you, or here’s a route.

Ice Cream icon

THINGS TO DO IN LYNMOUTH

Feeling peckish?

Once you reach Lynmouth, enjoy strolling along Lynmouth Street browsing in the little independent boutiques. Selling crafts, leather goods, clothing and interior decorations, there’s a lot to love. Our favourites are Trash Creations for their sustainable jewellery made from marine debris and XOX Lightening Tree Candles.

For foodie fodder, The Rising Sun in Lynmouth is your archetypical thatched, whitewashed Exmoor pub, or there are a bevy of places for take away fish & chips. Watch the waves roll in as you stroll along the pebbly beach before you return to Lynton – perfectly timed to miss the rush on the Cliff Railway!

Dandelion icon

BEST TIME TO VISIT LYNTON & LYNMOUTH

For fun events & festivals…

As mentioned, we recommend starting in Lynton in the morning where parking is easier and walking or taking the Cliff Railway down to Lynmouth. The railway will be quieter in the late afternoon for your return trip back to Lynton.

Some shops are seasonal, but most are open all year round (only excluding January). The Cliff Railway is open all year. There’s a calendar of events throughout the year, so you may like to time your visit to coincide with one of these:

Snowdrop Valley (January/February)
Lynmouth Regatta & Maritime Festival (June)
Lyn Valley Classic Car Show (June)
Lynmouth Raft Race (July)
Valley of the Rocks Outdoor Theatre (August)
Lyn Food Fest (September)

 

For more information about what’s on in Lynton & Lynmouth:

Events in Lynton & Lynmouth

COOL COASTAL STAYSFall asleep smiling…

– The Woolacombe Bay Hotel is located just 40 minutes’ drive from Lynton & Lynmouth –

 

ROOMS & SUITES

Make a Booking