Here in the South West, we’re very lucky to have places on our doorstep that vacationers from across the country can roam for hours. Whether it’s the Jurassic Coast allure of Lyme Regis or Minehead’s own Butlin’s, there’s something to suit anyone within an hour’s drive.
The twin coastal towns of Lynton and Lynmouth are no exception and are often referred to as ‘Little Switzerland’.
Situated at the far north of Exmoor National Park and around five miles from the Somerset-Devon border are the two beautiful coastal towns at the top and bottom of the same hill.
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The twin Georgian and Victorian settlements have repeatedly been named among the most beautiful places in Devon – and it’s not hard to see why, reports MyLondon.
Not only do both have panoramic views of the county’s Jurassic Coast, but there are also two pretty rivers running through Lynmouth, as well as a small harbor and pebble bay called Blacklands Beach.
An east to west view of Lynton above, with Lynmouth below (Image: Tomas Zrna)
Additionally, both are home to a number of quaint chocolate box fishing lodges, museums, and other amenities. This includes a number of charming and traditional venues that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, such as the Lynton Cinema.
The first is housed in a converted Methodist chapel and has just one 68-seat screen, showing a single nighttime performance plus a matinee on Monday afternoons in winter. Despite its size, it was named one of the best cinemas in the UK by Time Out in 2021.
One of many charming amenities in Lynton and Lynmouth (Image: Tripadvisor)
Other kitschy places include the Lyn Toy Museum and Shop, which contains toys, games, and action figures from the 1960s to 1980s.
The quaint twin villages are also a great place to head to if you’re a railroad or engineering enthusiast. The two are linked by the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, a unique hydraulic funicular which is the highest and steepest of its kind in the world.
Opened in 1890, this original heritage railway is Grade II listed. It has won numerous awards over the years, including the title of “Best Cliff Railway in the UK” in 2020, and received 1,436 excellent reviews on Tripadvisor for its stunning views and original experience.
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, which links the two seaside villages, is the highest and steepest fully water-powered funicular in the world (Image: MyLondon)
There is also the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, a Victorian steam train service located just outside the Twin Villages, and the Lyn Model Railway.
Back in operation from April 2022, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway consists of restored heritage carriages and takes you between Woody Bay Station and Killington Lane.
It’s a 25-minute round trip, but tickets are valid all day, so you can ride it as many times as you like. The Lyn Model Railway, on the other hand, is a showroom in Lynmouth which displays an LNER train from the period 1935-1940.
The Lyn Model Railway is one of the many special features of Lynton and Lynmouth that make it a great place for railway enthusiasts (Image: Tripadvisor)
When it comes to food and drink in Lynton and Lynmouth, both villages have plenty of places to have cream tea, hearty pub fare or even a fine bite to eat while enjoying the sea view.
In Lynmouth, well-rated dining spots include the Bay View Restaurant, Pavilion Dining Room and the adorable Lynmouth Bay Café. The Ancient Mariner, The Village Inn and The Rising Sun are all well rated pubs.
Lynton, meanwhile, has a lovely, cozy cafe called Charlie Friday’s, as well as Nartnapa Thai and The Oak Room, both of which won Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards in 2021.
There are plenty of great places for seafood-loving foodies in Lynton and Lynmouth – including the award-winning Nartnapa Thai (Image: Tripadvisor)
Others who are happy to embark on a 42-minute walk or six-minute drive can also head to Watersmeet House, a National Trust property with a tea room that serves cakes and light lunch fare. .
In fact, those wishing to walk are spoiled for choice in these two beautiful villages, which are considered the walking capitals of Exmoor. Lynton is just a stone’s throw from the Valley of the Rocks, where a short climb offers breathtaking views and dramatic cliffs.
The area around Lynton and Lynmouth is full of great places to stay, from the 18th century B&B Rock House, which featured in Channel 4’s ‘Four in a Bed’, to the lovingly restored Shelley’s, a quaint hotel where 19th century poet Percy Shelley on honeymoon after eloping with his wife of 16 years.
Lynton and Lynmouth’s resemblance to Switzerland was first popularized by several poets of the Romantic movement, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge and Shelley.
Close to Lynton and Lynmouth is the Valley of the Rocks, which offers stunning views (Image: Getty)
Much of the coastal area remembers this history with literary-themed names, including The Ancient Mariner pub, named after Coleridge’s poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.
How to get there
The easiest way is by far by car, straight along the A39 from Minehead and through Porlock, where it will take you directly to both towns. The postcode to use on Sat Navs or other devices is EX35 6JS.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-25 23:46:00