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EXMOOR'S EDGE
Lynton is situated on the edge of Exmoor and is a wonderful place from which to explore the delights of North Devon.
The countryside, rivers and walks around this area are just breathtaking, but then so are the miles of golden sand and crashing waves at nearby Woolacombe and Croyde.
Combine these natural delights with stately homes, gardens, castles and tourist attractions, add any number of outdoor pursuits including horseriding, cycling and surfing, and top them all off with enough pubs, restaurants and tea-rooms to satisfy all budgets and tastes; and you'll begin to see why North Devon is so beloved, by locals and visitors alike.
WALKING
The whole of North Devon is a walker’s paradise, and Lynton & Lynmouth are ideally situated to provide the perfect base from which to explore.
Lynton Cottage (of which the Penthouse occupies two of the top floors), was originally built to enable its owner to easily walk between the towns, whilst enjoying the beautiful views. If you’re planning to do any walking at all, you really couldn’t ask for a better location!
Lynton Cottage is actually situated on North Walk itself. Turn right out of the driveway, and you are literally minutes from the start of the Valley of the Rocks walk, a flat pathway with uninterrupted stunning sea views on the coastal side and dramatic rock formations on the other.
Less dramatic but no less beautiful, are the selection of paths leading to Watersmeet. Accessed from Lynmouth, the walks lead to the point where two rivers combine, served by a National Trust café & shop in an old fishing lodge. The scenery on both the woodland and riverside walks is lovely at any time of year, changing with the seasons to show the English countryside at its picture-perfect best. more
LYNTON CLIFF RAILWAY
Lynton's Cliff Railway is not only a marvel of Victorian Engineering, but it's world famous in its own right, as the highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world!
The funicular opened in 1890 and has run consistently without ever having had an accident. It is now a working heritage railway, is Grade II listed and is one of only three examples left in the world.
With 862ft of steep track and an elevation of 500ft, the railway is a must for anyone visiting the area.
WATERSMEET
There are a number of paths leading to Watersmeet, where the East Lyn River meets Hoar Oak Water in the most picturesque way possible.
Whichever you choose, at the heart you will find a welcoming National Trust café and shop, providing the ideal opportunity to refuel and take in the tranquil surroundings.
The café is open all year round, and the walks are beautiful in all seasons.
The café is about an hour's walk from Lynmouth, for most able-bodied people.
DUNSTER CASTLE
An ancient castle and comfortable country home with dramatic vistas and subtropical gardens.
Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, a castle has existed here since at least Norman times, with an impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower giving a reminder of its turbulent history.
The castle that you see today became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived here for 600 years.
Visitors can access traditional Dunster straight from the castle grounds to visit its plethora of restaurants, tea-shops and gift shops.
BEACHES
Within half an hour’s drive of Lynton you can reach some of the best beaches in the whole country.
Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands beaches all offer miles of golden sand and crashing waves. Idyllic for sunbathing and a perennial lure for families, the beaches are beautifully maintained, providing a restful haven on sunny days.
Surfing is popular all year round, and tuition and hiring facilities are easily obtained. The beaches are flanked by sand dunes, and are blissfully free from the noise of road traffic.
For those preferring a less remote seaside experience though, Minehead is ideal. It boasts a traditional seaside promenade, with the beach running along the front of the town itself.
It’s more accessible for those with mobility issues, and allows sunbathers to make full use of the town’s facilities throughout the day. There is a large Butlins there, and visitors are able to purchase guest passes for the day.
CYCLING AND THE TARKA TRAIL
The Tarka Trail offers cyclists of all abilities the chance to cycle safely in a traffic-free environment enjoying country and sea views aplenty.
The trail runs around North Devon and is very easily picked up in Barnstaple, just half an hour away from Lynton. It’s entirely free of charge, though bikes and accessories such as child carriers and pull-alongs, can be hired for a modest fee.
The path runs on an old railway line, so it is flat and smooth, and crosses plenty of villages offering refreshments.
CHILDREN'S ATTRACTIONS
If you can pull the children away from the beach, you’ll find there’s an enormous amount to do in within a half hour drive of Lynton.
Watermouth Castle on the outskirts of Ilfracombe is a must! It may look like a castle, but the inside tells a very different story and houses a unique collection of memorabilia from the Victorian era onwards. The Edwardian tableaux, slot machines, bicycles, large model railway and dungeons are great for all age groups. Meanwhile, the grounds are stunning and feature fairground rides for pre-schoolers as well as several for older kids, including crazy golf and a unique toboggan ride.
There’s a dinosaur theme park in Combe Martin with a host of kids’ rides and activities as well as some extremely realistic animatronic dinosaurs at the heart of the park. More familiar creatures meanwhile can be found at nearby Exmoor Zoo, which is open throughout the year, and has lots to interest children.
On rainy days, Ilfracombe offers both a small aquarium by the harbour, and a small museum in the centre of the town, where kids can learn about the region, marvel at a two-headed cat and try their hands at brass rubbing. A two-screen cinema is in the high street.
Kids surfing on sandy beach
North Devon's sandy beaches are wonderful for families
Woolacombe Beach North Devon
Miles and miles of golden sand at Woolacombe
Bowling with kids
Even rainy days can be fun
Kids surfing on sandy beach
North Devon's sandy beaches are wonderful for families
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Lynton itself has a great little toy museum, where adults can head down Memory Lane, and children will be amazed to learn there was life before ipads!
The town also has a charming little cinema, which caters extremely well for children, with regular matinee showings throughout the school holidays.
There’s also a really fabulous small steam train at Woody Bay, just outside of Lynton, which takes passengers down a short stretch of reconditioned railway, through lovely countryside. A big hit with enthusiasts of any age.
Boat trips are available from Lynmouth harbour, and also from Ilfracombe harbour where families can head out to the nature reserve on Lundy Island and go seal spotting.
One of the many great aspects of the rugged North Devon coastline is the opportunities it provides for rock-pooling in the area. Hele Bay on the outskirts of Ilfracombe is superb and free of charge; the Tunnels Beaches in the centre of the town are also superb, but charge a nominal entrance fee, and sell kids’ fishing nets and the like.
A host of sporting activities including surfing, kayaking, horse-riding and fishing to name a few are available locally, as well as more artistic pursuits such as pottery art.
Old houses with fabulous grounds such as Hartland Abbey (where Malory Towers was filmed) and Arlington Court, welcome younger visitors and throw open their grounds to a host of activities in the summer holidays.
The nearby market town of Barnstaple meanwhile, is the largest in the region, and provides the familiar high street shops and eateries that older kids enjoy, as well as an out of town bounce park, and a bowling alley.
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