Caroline Abbott
10 September 2024
The small town of Lynton and the village of Lynmouth, on the North Devon coast, are renowned for their natural beauty, rich history, a diverse range of attractions and events, and for the cliff railway that has connected them ever since 1890. There’s something for everyone in this coastal resort and Lynton and Lynmouth are among the prettiest places you’ll find in Devon.
Lying within Exmoor National Park, the resort is the perfect base for those wanting to explore the great outdoors. It’s also a short drive away from some of North Devon’s other top towns and attractions, including The Big Sheep, Exmoor Zoo, Wistlandpound Reservoir, Heddon Valley, Combe Martin and Ilfracombe.
Whether you’re planning a solo escape, a peaceful couple’s retreat, an action-packed family holiday or a fun getaway with a group of friends, we’ve got self-catering accommodation to meet your needs. You can browse our collection of cottages in the area by clicking on the button below.
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FAQs
They are equally worth a visit – both offer beautiful views as well as plenty of activities and places to eat. If you prefer hill-top charm, choose Lynton, the larger of the two. It has an Alpine appearance, narrow lanes and more shops and restaurants than Lynmouth. It’s also close to the striking Valley of Rocks cliff-top walk. If you prefer to be waterside, choose Lynmouth which is at sea level. It’s close to riverside walks and has gift shops, antique stores and convenience stores.
Yes – Lynmouth Beach is a shingle beach that’s about 500 metres wide and divided by the mouth of the River Lyn. The eastern beach is sheltered by cliffs, has great views of the coastline, and is a fabulous setting for a picnic. The small western beach has some nice rockpools at low tide and is a good spot for snorkelling thanks to its clear waters. Dogs are welcome all year round.
Yes – you can take the Zig Zag Path which starts at North Walk in Lynton and finishes near the Exmoor National Park Centre. There are lovely views from the path but it’s steep and not suitable for everyone.
The area around Lynmouth is known as Little Switzerland because early tourists thought its scenery resembled that of Switzerland – it has dramatic cliffs, rocky walking trails and a deep, wooded valley. Poet Robert Southey was the first to note its Alpine appearance in 1799.
On the night of August 15, 1952, there was a devastating flood that killed 34 people and effectively destroyed Lynmouth. More than 100 buildings were lost, leaving 420 people homeless. The flood was caused by heavy rainfall, saturated soil and flood debris. It has been called the worst river flood in English history and represents the largest loss of life from a river flood in the UK.
The population of the parish of Lynton and Lynmouth is around 2,700.
About Lynton and Lynmouth
Lynton and Lynmouth are situated on the North Devon coast, within Exmoor National Park. The settlements have been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times and most visitors enjoy dividing their time between the two. This was made much easier with the opening of the funicular cliff railway, which is the highest and steepest fully water-powered railway in the world!
The area is often called the walking capital of Exmoor, and Lynton is Exmoor’s foodie hotspot. It’s large enough to be somewhere you can enjoy some retail therapy and small enough to enable you to relax in a tranquil setting.
Things to do in Lynton and Lynmouth
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway
Travel effortlessly between Lynton and Lynmouth and enjoy stunning views by taking a ride on the world-famous cliff railway. The Cliff Railway is an incredible display of Victorian engineering and is the highest and steepest fully water-powered railway in the world climbing over 500 ft (152 m) along 862 ft (262 m) of track.
Good to know
- Address: The Esplanade, Lynmouth, EX35 6EQ
- Price: Adult Single £3.50 and Children Single (4–15 years) £2.20.
- Opening times: Varies depending on time of year but during peak summer, it operates between 10am–7pm.
Visit the Exmoor National Park Centre
Find out all about the ecology, history and diversity of the Exmoor National Park. The friendly team at the National Park Centre will be able to give you bespoke advice to ensure that you get the most out of your stay.
Explore the great outdoors of Exmoor National Park, one of the largest tracts of moorland in the UK. There are plenty of beautiful views to admire in this tranquil and wild part of North Devon – and keep your eyes open for wildlife such as deer.
Good to know
- Address: Lynmouth National Park Centre, Lynmouth Pavilion, The Esplanade, EX35 6EQ
- Price: Free to visit
- Opening times: The National Park Centre in Lynmouth is open 10am–5pm, 7 days a week.
Glen Lyn Gorge
Lynton is situated at the top of Glen Lyn Gorge and you can follow the South West Coast Path to the formidable Valley of Rocks, known for its unusual rock formations and wild goats.
From the centre of Lynmouth, you can enjoy a fantastic woodland river trek by heading up the East Lyn River to Watersmeet, a former fishing lodge which is now an information centre and tea room that’s one of the top National Trust places to visit in Devon. If walking isn’t your thing, you could go kayaking on the river instead.
Shopping in Lynton and Lynmouth
Head to Lynton for essentials from bakeries and greengrocers. Lynmouth is better geared towards the needs of holidaymakers, with gift shops and antique emporiums.
Other wet-weather ideas include the independent cinema in the town hall, Lyn Model Railway, Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall, the Lyn and Exmoor Museum, and Lynton Toy Museum and Shop.
A selection of shops in Lynton and Lynmouth:
Events and festivals in Lynton and Lynmouth
Lynton and Lynmouth have events all year round, from markets and exhibitions to live music and quiz nights. Among the biggest and best-known events are the Lynmouth Regatta and Maritime Festival, and the Lyn Valley Classic.
Lynmouth Regatta and Maritime Festival
Lynmouth Regatta and Maritime Festival is a raucous July weekend of gig racing, sea shanties, food and drink, music, fancy dress, historical re-enactments and even cannon fire! Held in locations across both Lynton and Lynmouth, in 2024, the festival had a packed agenda with 22 sea shanty groups performing on Saturday alone, followed by a seagull race (we’re intrigued!) and even more shanty singing in the evening too (best get warming up those vocal cords!).
Good to know
- Dates: 2025 TBC
- Address: Lynmouth Harbour, Devon, EX35 6EL
- Price: Free
Lyn Valley Classic
The Lyn Valley Classic is an annual car show where visitors can feast their eyes on hundreds of classic cars, tractors, supercars and motorbikes while raising money for charity. The event which began back in 2014 with a humble gathering of 12 cars, has grown exponentially and in 2024 saw over 400 vehicles of every era being admired. The event forgoes competition, as every entry holds a unique story and significance to its owner and is well worth a visit.
Good to know
- Date: Sunday 8th June 2025
- Price: £5 per adult and under 12s are free (2024 price)
- Opening times: 10am–4pm.
Eating in Lynton and Lynmouth
Lynton and Lynmouth have some wonderful restaurants, cafes, pubs and takeaways to enjoy during your stay. Dine out on delicious local sea food, try some tapas or take a bite of a tasty beef burger. We've rounded up some of our favourites for you to enjoy so let your tastebuds lead the way!
The Ancient Mariner, Lynmouth
One of the most popular pubs in Lynmouth is The Ancient Mariner, which is just a few metres from the seafront. This quirky pub has an eclectic mix of maritime memorabilia, and it’s both dog friendly and family friendly.
Good to know
- Address: 10–14 Lynmouth Street, Lynmouth, EX35 6EL
- Why not try? Beef burger £18. For more choices visit The Ancient Mariner menu.
- Opening times: 7am–11pm, seven days a week
The Rising Sun, Lynmouth
Also in Lynmouth is The Rising Sun, a charming 14th-century thatched inn. With its location so close to the sea, diners can expect the very best in fresh, local seafood from prime lobster to fresh sea bass and local mussels.
Good to know
- Address: Harbourside, Lynmouth, EX35 6EG
- Price: Fillet of Hake £25. For more choices visit The Rising Sun menu.
- Opening times: 12–11pm except Sundays which is 12–9pm
Restaurant Kensington, Lynton
In Lynton, elegant Restaurant Kensington is a steakhouse that gets superb reviews. Formerly The Old Bank, Restaurant Kensington is a contemporary restaurant celebrated for its modern take on British cuisine. The menu features a range of expertly crafted dishes curated by chefs who understand the art of marrying flavours.
Good to know
- Address: 1 Castle Hill, Lynton, EX35 6JA
- Price: Rump Steak £26.50. For more choices visit Restaurant Kensington's menu.
- Opening times: 12–3pm and 6–10.30pm Thursdays to Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are evenings only
The Oak Room, Lynton
The Oak Room is another favourite in Lynton which is a tapas bar and restaurant loved by visitors and locals alike. Offering a fusion of Mediterranean and European cuisine, with a special focus on Spanish delicacies.
Good to know
- Address: Lee Rd, Lynton, EX35 6HW
- Price: Vegetarian tortilla £7.50.
- Opening times: 10.30am–2.30pm and 6–9pm Fridays to Mondays, Thursdays to Tuesday are evenings only.
For fine dining with stunning views, book a table at Bay View Restaurant in Lynmouth. If you’re looking for refreshment after a walk to Heddon’s Mouth, The Hunter’s Inn, deep in the North Devon countryside, is a charming option. If you’ve ventured to Watersmeet, consider a cream tea in the former fishing lodge which is now a National Trust information centre and tea room.
Stay in Lynton and Lynmouth
Left: Lynhurst, Top Right: Sea View Apartment and Bottom Right: Clifftop Reach
We have a fantastic range of quality holiday cottages in Lynton and Lynmouth, and even more across North Devon. From cosy couples retreats to comfortable family stays, dog-friendly retreats and group getaways, you're sure to find your next great escape with us. Browse the entire collection of holiday cottages in Lynton and Lynmouth by clicking on the button below.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.