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50 THINGS TO DO IN NORTH DEVON #1

Valley of the Rocks

VALLEY OF THE ROCKSExmoor, North Devon

– Arguably one of the most spectacular scenic locations on Exmoor –

WHY VISIT VALLEY OF THE ROCKS?

Two words: stunning scenery

The Valley of the Rocks is dramatic section of coastline on Exmoor’s rugged northern edge. Experience the breathtaking clifftop path, U-shaped dry valley, and of course the craggy rock outcrops that give the valley its name. Beyond photogenic – it’s by far one of the best places to take photos in North Devon.

Samuel Coleridge, William Wordsworth and his sister, the poet and diarist Dorothy Wordsworth, visited the Valley of Rocks as part of a longer exploration of Exmoor’s coast in November 1797. Coleridge and the Wordsworths fell in love with the Lynton area and even thought of settling there. They certainly weren’t the first, or the last,  to be captured  by the beauty  of the Valley of the Rocks on Exmoor.

TOP TIPS

From those in the know…

Rather than parking up near the Valley of the Rocks car park, walk from Lynton instead – you get a much better view on approach. Pause on a bench overlooking the sea by the rocks and you will see almost the whole of the south coast of Wales on a good day! The path is well-maintained and plotted out so you can easily wear comfy footwear instead of walking boots if you just wanted to walk there and back.

The Valley of Rocks is a great place to visit in North Devon if you are a wildlife lover – wild goats can often be found here! It’s thought that over 100 are roaming these craggy clifftops. Goats have been released onto the rocks since 1970 to help with land management, but they have been present in the valley for hundreds of years, with mention to them in the doomsday book.

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Visit Lynton & Lynmouth

The neighbouring Lynton and Lynmouth are both beautiful places to visit, too. Take a short drive from Woolacombe to Lynmouth (40 minutes – directions below) and discover this quaint village with its charming harbour, cute fishing cottages and independent shops. Then take the Cliff Railway (the steepest fully water powered Victorian railway in the World!) up to Lynton – a vibrant Victorian village buzzing with galleries and cafes. Our favourite is the Cliff Top Cafe – perched 500ft above the lower station, the grade II listed cafe offers perhaps the best location for a Cream Tea in the Westcountry (aside from our very own Bay Brasserie, of course!)

Just half a mile walk to the western end of the town is the Valley of the Rocks – enjoy some of the best coastal views as you approach from the path that hugs the coastline. Spend some time in the valley – capturing the views, watching the waves, breathing the fresh sea air and reflecting – before returning to Lynmouth.

Alternatively, it is possible to drive to the Valley of Rocks, parking nearby for a small charge.

DIRECTIONS TO LYNMOUTH
(for cliff railway & walking route)

DIRECTIONS TO VALLEY OF ROCKS
(parking nearby)

Find out more:
A DAY OUT IN LYNTON & LYNMOUTH

On a quiet day, there’s a lost world feel to North Devon’s enigmatic Valley of Rocks”

COUNTRYFILE

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