Lynton is a bright airy Victorian village the Victorians  named the area "The Little Switzerland". It has a selection of quaint  shops, tea-rooms and cafes. It is connected to its sister resort of Lynmouth by a unique water operated cliff railway dating back to 1890. Nestling beneath the cliffs, the pretty harbour of Lynmouth is a romantic escape from modern-day living with its row of fishing cottages tumbling down the street towards the quay.

The area around the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth Is known as the Switzerland of England - and once you have seen it you’ll understand why.
This part of Exmoor is not to be missed, combining superb coastal scenery with delightful wooded river valleys and moorland.

The villages, on the A39, are across the Devon border. At the foot of the long and steep Countisbury Hill is Lynmouth where the East and West rivers meet the sea. Two events at this tiny harbour village, which has seen much activity for many centuries, will forever have a place in history.

The first came in 1898 when a ship was seen drifting off Porlock Weir. High seas made it impossible to launch the Lynmouth lifeboat, so it was decided to carry it up Countisbury Hill and down Porlock Hill. Twelve horses and scores of helpers joined in the effort, many turning back on the way as they decided it could not be done. But by 6 the next morning they completed the journey and launched the lifeboat. On the way, they had had to demolish walls, remove gates and cut down trees to widen the road enough to get the boat through. The story is retold in a special display in the Exmoor National Park’s Information Centre in Lynmouth.

The second was the flood disaster of 1952 which remains etched In the minds of its survivors. The evening of August15th saw a cloudburst which had devastating effects. A month of heavy rain had already swollen water levels, and the sudden downfall turned streams into raging torrents. It has been estimated that enough water to supply the area for more than 100 years fell in that one night.
By daylight 34 people were found dead and damage to property was immense.
Historically Lynmouth was a herring fishing port, and what little growth there has been has come mainly from adapting fishermen’s cottages and herring curing houses into hotels, guesthouses,  restaurants or shops.

Lynmouth Beach

Lynmouth Beach is a five minute level walk back to the other side of the river. This is in fact a wide expanse of rocks of various sizes. Fast currents from the river sweep out to sea, so there is a half tide swimming pool available.

Local towns and villages to visit..

Culbone

Dunster

Exmoor

Exford

Horner

Luccombe

Malmsmead

Minehead

Oare

Parracombe

Porlock Weir

Simonsbath

Stoke Pero

Tarr Steps

Trentishoe

Watchet

Withypool

Wootton Courtney

Angling

Coarse and trout fishing on the river Tone at Taunton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe ( on the A361 about 9 miles west of Taunton). Other good  waters include the Taunton-Bridgewater Canal, the West Sedgemoor Drain and Clatworthy Reservoir.

Lynton Caravan and Camping sites