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Exmoor Village selection map
OS map of Lynton/Lynmouth
Accommodation Transport
Lynton and Lynmouth
Two villages on the coast, one above the other, Lynton and Lynmouth
where known by the
Victorians as Little Switzerland. Lynton is an attractive village with a
museum and good range of restaurants, cafes, tea shops and 'art/craft'
shops. There are many hotels and guest houses. The town hall is very
grand and is home to the Visitor Centre as well as films, drama and exhibitions.
600 feet below Lynton is the small harbour of Lynmouth. The two villages are linked by a
famous and ingenius cliff railway which is well worth a ride.
Two rivers - the East Lyn and the Hoaroak - combine just inland from the harbour at
Watersmeet and sweep down a spectacular gorge and through the village to the
sea. Reminders of the disaster in 1952, when the rivers flooded and a
torrent of water washed many cottages into the sea with great loss of life, can
be seen in the Memorial Hall.
There are some lovely walks from Lynmouth, notably up the river gorge to Watersmeet where
the National Trust have a shop and tea rooms, West along the coast path to the
Valley of Rocks with its wonderful scenery and flock of wild goats or round
Hollerday Hill overlooking Lynton (see 'History' below).
Regular events:
Lynton Farmers Market: First Saturday each month. 10.00am Town Hall.
There is a village cinema in Lynton with an interesting program - see
website
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Lynmouth
Harbour
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Panorama of Lynton
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HISTORY
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Lynton and Lynmouth owe a great deal to one very generous benefactor - Sir George Newnes,
the publisher who loved the place and lived at a great mansion called Hollerday
House. The place unfortunately burned to the ground in 1913 in mysterious
circumstances. The house was built on Hollerday Hill above Lynton.
The hill is now mainly wooded and there is a nice walk up from behind the Town
Hall. The site of the house can be seen along with the remains of an Iron
Age settlement on the hill top. There are some great views east to
Foreland Point and west along the Valley of Rocks.
The steep gradient between the two villages had always been a
deterrent to visitors and hard work for the locals. In 1887 Newnes and
Thomas Hewitt (later Sir Thomas Hewitt K.C.) began a project, using the recently
patented invention by local engineer Bob Jones, to lay a 900 foot twin
track up the 1 in 1.75 gradient. The railway was opened in 1890 and apart
from new track in 1908 operates now as it always has. The total cost of
the project was £8,000 and there has never been an accident.
In the early
days of motoring when the road hill was too steep for cars between the two
villages the railway transported cars up the gradient for between 7s. 6d. and
10s. 6d. depending on the size of the car!
A few years later in 1895 Newnes got involved in a project to build a light railway
linking Lynton to Barnstaple. Newnes became chairman of the development
company. The project was plagued with difficulties, not least a
cost-overrun of 100% ! However they persevered and the first train ran on
11 May 1898. They ran four locomotives and sixteen coaches initially and the
average speed was about 12 mph. The
route was extremely beautiful and included crossing Chelfham Viaduct - the
largest narrow gauge railway viaduct ever built in Britain. Just a couple
of miles to the west of the National Park, this structure was refurbished during
2000 at a total cost in the region of one million pounds. It is now in
running order (but there is no public access to the top). The line
struggled financially and it was not until 1913 that the company managed to pay
a 0.5% dividend!
In 1923 The Southern Railway bought the
line and lost £60,000 in the next twelve years. The railway was finally
closed on 29 September 1935. A major project is under way to fully
restore the line - see the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway web site
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This picture shows Lynmouth at low tide.
A prominent feature in Lynmouth is the
'Rhenish' tower at the end of the
Quay. Built in the late 1850's by General Rawdon to store salt water to
supply his house with sea baths, it was faithfully reconstructed after the 1952
flood disaster. |
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Foreland Point
from Hollerday Hill above Lynton
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PLACES TO STAY:
Hotels - Self catering - Bed and Breakfast - Camping |
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Riverside Cottage
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Come and experience the tranquility of Exmoor and the
warmth of service at Riverside Cottage.
Located on the Riverside by the harbour in Lynmouth, we have 6 rooms
with balconies and direct views of the sea and the harbour.
Licensed Cafe and residents evening meal with a 10% discount on main
courses.
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Seawood Hotel
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The Seawood Hotel is one of the finest and most impressive historical grade II listed buildings in Lynton. Spectacular panoramic
sea views from all rooms set this unique 12 bedroomed hotel in a class of its own. Complete tranquility with attentive service from owners will make this a place you will want to return to. Ideally situated to explore Exmoor with the Cliff Railway at the top of our garden.
Car parking on site - All rooms ensuite - Fully licensed bar - Comfortable Lounge - Full dining menu - 4-poster bedded rooms - Tea/coffee making facilities - Complimentary Toiletries.
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Fernleigh Guest House
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Highly recommended by WHICH Best Bed & Breakfast Guide. Fernleigh is noted for its superb accommodation in a central location in charming Lynton, yet a few minutes walk from stunning scenery. Ray and Kate are in their 5th year of running the Fernleigh and will do all they can to make your stay relaxing, superbly comfortable and memorable.
ETC4Diamonds. 5 en-suite bedrooms. B&B from £25.
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St. Vincent Hotel
and Restaurant
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Jean-Paul and Linda welcome you to their lovely Georgian home nestled in the old village of
Lynton. Built by a master mariner from prize money he received after fighting with Nelson in the Battle of Cape
St.Vincent, the house has an uncluttered style, with an air of tranquil
ease, fresh flowers, stripped floors and beautiful artwork. All 6 en-suite bedrooms are individually
designed, cosy and romantic. Pretty garden with ancient wisteria.
Drawing room has comfy sofas and log fire, the dining room which is open to non residents has an intimate relaxed atmosphere with
candlelight, and original art deco lighting.
Chef Jean-Paul creates mouth-watering dishes using local fish, meat and game from
Exmoor, including Provencal Bouillabaisse, Moules Mariniere, Sea Bream and Sea Bass simply grilled with
rock salt and herbs from the garden, pork with lavender lemon and honey,
a very naughty chocolate marquise...
Wonderful range of Belgian beers.
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The Turret Hotel
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Step back in time and experience old world hospitality at The
Turret. Built in 1898 for a Baronets son, the charm of our hotel
will relax and welcome you.
Non-smoking. Short breaks available. B&B from £25.00
Contact Nancy Wayman.
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West Ilkerton Farm
Self catering
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Warm, comfortable grade II listed
farmhouse. Central heating and double glazing. Open all year. Sleeps 6 + cot.
King size four-poster in master bedroom.
Quiet, secluded location. Wonderful views.
Traditional working farm with local breeds and Exmoor ponies.
Coast 4 miles. Moorland 0.5 mile. Landrover Tours from the farm.
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Southcliffe Hotel
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Sue and Andy North look forward to welcoming
you to the delightful village of Lynton and making your stay at
Southcliffe enjoyable and relaxing. Southcliffe offers a pleasant
atmosphere, with friendly service and value for money.
Traditional/Vegetarian/Vegan breakfasts. All rooms ensuite. Private car
park. Convenient location. Walkers' paradise.
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Woodside Apartment
Self catering
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Woodside is a spacious, well-appointed apartment for two situated in the
village of Barbrook overlooking the West Lyn River. Fully equipped, centrally heated with private patio and car parking.
All-inclusive rates. Also short term breaks available during off-peak season.
Ideally situated for walking/touring Exmoor and the coast.
ETC 3 stars. £150-£250pw. Dogs welcome. Non-smoking indoors. Tel:01598-753298
email
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Voley Farm
Self Catering
(Parracombe)
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Two charming, comfortable cottages set on a secluded, peaceful Exmoor farm. Spacious, well-equipped accommodation with high-beamed ceilings and many period features. Pretty, canopied bedrooms. Central heating and
wood-burning stoves. Panoramic views. Excellent walks from your door to moorland and the sea. Beaches and stables a short drive away. Games room. Laundry room. Help feed our friendly Shetland Sheep and rare breed Gloucester Old Spot pigs!
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Coastal Exmoor Hideaways
Self catering
(Parracombe)
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Set in an idyllic wooded valley with private river frontage, this
historic and very secluded mill is in the Heddon Valley, an area of
outstanding natural beauty near the wonderfully scenic North Devon
Coastal Footpath. 7 cottages. Log fires, 4-posters, heated swimming pool and jacuzzi.
Pets welcome.
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Links to our complete Exmoor
accommodation directory listings:-
Hotels and Bed and Breakfast |
Self Catering |
Camping |
Caravan Holiday Homes
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| L1 |
Lynton/
Barbrook/ Brendon/ Porlock/ Minehead
Tuesdays only |
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| 309/310 |
Barnstaple/Lynton via
Bratton Fleming, Blackmoor Gate & Parracombe |
| 300 |
Minehead/Barnstaple
"Exmoor Coastlink" via Lynton and Ilfracombe.
Note: starts from Taunton. |
| Trains:
There is no train service to this area. Nearest stations are
Barnstaple (to the west) or Taunton (to the east). The buses
provide the connection but they are not linked. |
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click
here for more general transport details and public
transport links/contacts |
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