The West Country is filled with beautiful locations that holidaymakers nationwide will trek for hours to get to. Whether it's the Jurassic Coast allure of Lyme Regis or Cornwall's stunning golden beaches, there is something that fits the bill for anyone.
The twin coastal towns of Lynton and Lynmouth are no exception, and are often referred to as 'Little Switzerland'. Located on the very northern edge of Exmoor National Park and around a two-hour drive from Bristol, the two beautiful coastal towns sit at the top and bottom of the same hill.
The twin Georgian and Victorian settlements have been repeatedly named among the most beautiful spots in Devon - and it’s not hard to see why, MyLondon reports.
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Not only do both boast scenic views of the county's Jurassic Coast, but there are also two pretty rivers running through Lynmouth, as well as a little harbour and a shingle bay called Blacklands Beach.
In addition, both are home to a number of quaint chocolate box fishing cottages, museums and other amenities. This includes a number of charmingly traditional venues that will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, such as Lynton Cinema.
The former is housed in a converted Methodist chapel and features just one 68-seat screen, showing just one nightly performance plus a matinee on Monday afternoons in the wintertime. Despite its size, it has been named one of the best cinemas in the UK by Time Out in 2021.
Other kitschy spots include the Lyn Toy Museum and Shop, which contains toys, games and action figures that date from the 1960s to 1980s.
The picturesque twin villages are also an ideal place to head if you’re a railway or engineering enthusiast. The two are connected by the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, a unique water-powered funicular train that is the highest and steepest of its kind in the world.
First opened in 1890, this quirky working heritage railway is Grade II listed. It’s won multiple awards over the years including the title of ‘UK’s best cliff railway’ in 2020, as well as received 1,436 Excellent reviews on Tripadvisor for its stunning views and quirky experience.
There’s also the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, a Victorian steam train service located just outside of the twin villages, and the Lyn Model Railway.
Up and running again from April 2022, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway consists of restored heritage carriages and ferries you between Woody Bay Station and Killington Lane.
It's a 25-minute two-mile round trip, but tickets are valid all day so you can ride it as many times as you want. The Lyn Model Railway, meanwhile, is a display room within Lynmouth which showcases a 1935-1940 period LNER train.
As for food and drink in Lynton and Lynmouth, the two villages have an abundance of places to grab cream tea, hearty pub meals or even a fancy bite to eat while enjoying sea views.
In Lynmouth, well-rated dining spots include the Bay View Restaurant, The 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, boasts a charmingly homely café called Charlie Friday’s, plus Nartnapa Thai and The Oak Room, which both won Travellers’ Choice Awards from Tripadvisor in 2021.
Others who are happy to embark on a 42-minute walk or six-minute car ride can also head to Watersmeet House, a National Trust property with a tea room that serves cakes and light lunch options.
In fact, those wishing to walk are spoiled for choice at these two beautiful villages, which are considered the walking capitals of Exmoor. Lynton is just a stone’s throw from the Valley of Rocks, where a short climb yields jaw-dropping views and dramatic cliffs.
The area around Lynton and Lynmouth is chock full of great places to stay, from 18th century B&B Rock House, which featured on Channel’s 4’s ‘Four in a Bed’, to the lovingly restored Shelley’s, a quaint hotel where 19th-century poet Percy Shelley honeymooned after eloping with his 16-year-old wife.
Lynton and Lynmouth’s resemblance to Switzerland was first popularised by several of the Romantic Movement poets, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge and Shelley.
Much of the coastal spot remember 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 by far is by car, straight along the A39 from Minehead and through Porlock, where it will lead you straight to the two towns. The postcode for use on Sat Navs or other devices is EX35 6JS.
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