What to do and Where to Go - A Selection
Lynton ~ Exmoor ~ North Devon ~ Town Facilities ~ Walk Trails ~ Attractions ~ Events Diary |
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Must do's in Lynton
Ride on the famous funicular Cliff Railway, Check out what's on at Lynton's Cinema, Visit the Arts & Crafts Centre, shops & galleries, Visit Lyn & Exmoor Museum in Lynton, The Glen Lyn Gorge and Flood Memorial Hall in Lynmouth. Regular events include monthly Farmers Market, Slide show of Lynmouth 1938 - 56, Talk on Lynton & Lynmouth's history 'From Smugglers to German Bombers'
Wonderful Watersmeet - Follow the East Lyn River from Lynmouth, through one of Exmoor's finest combes, and one of Britain's deepest wooded gorges; take refreshments at the National Trust Tea-rooms, originally a Victorian hunting lodge built in 1832. |
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The Awesome Valley of The Rocks - Explore this strange and unique prehistoric outcrop of coastal rocks, that is home to the last British herd of wild goats, and host to guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. Minutes from Lynton, it is one of Exmoor's most treasured beauty spots.
North Walk Cliff Path - Direct from Lynton, this spectacular South West cliff pathway provides splendid views across the Bristol Channel to Wales and leads to the Valley of the Rocks around Hollerday Hill. Explore Hollerday Hill, find the ruins of Sir George Newnes mansion and tennis courts, and take in the spectacular view from the summit, the site of an Ironage Hill Fort.
More to do under Town Facilities & Attractions. |
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Exmoor from Lynton - Still England but another World
Britains smallest National Park and one of only three areas in the UK classified as "tranquil". The exhilarating scenery includes heather-topped hills, sweeping combes, spectacular cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and rivers in deep wooded valleys. Exmoor's wildlife includes rare wild ponies, red deer, trout and salmon and soaring birds of prey.
Exmoor has 700 miles of paths and bridle-ways to explore, many immediately accessible from Lynton and Lynmouth. Don't be mislead into thinking these are just for walkers. In describing the South West Coast Path the South West Coast Path Association writes: 'It is for lovers of the countryside, artists, photographers, bird watchers, botanists, geologists, historians, archaeologists and those dedicated to discovering friendly pubs, good food and welcoming hosts.' Many of the beauty spots along the paths can be visited by car or local transport.
Visit the National Park Centre in Lynmouth. Check your copy of 'The Exmoor Visitor' for Exmoor Events and Activities. Take in some of Exmoor's highlights:
- Dunkery Beacon – 1708 feet above sea level - the highest point in Exmoor with unrivalled views
- Horner Wood - one of England's oldest woodlands and a good place to spot the Red Deer
- Dulverton - a charming hunting town - home to the National Park Authority, and Exmoor's National Photographic Archives
- The Tarr Steps - an ancient clapper bridge in the spectacular Barle Valley
- Dunster - a 'chocolate box' medieval village with imposing castle
- The Doone Valley: Search out scenes from the novel 'Lorna Doone' & visit Exmoor's tiny hamlets
- Culbone, Trentishoe & Stoke Pero - Visit some of England's smallest churches
More details under Walking Trails. |
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North Devon from Lynton
From Cider Farms to Patchwork Centres, 4x4 Safari to Narrow Gauge Steam Railways, Shooting to Painting Classes, Dinosaur Parks to Heritage Museums there are plenty of attractions to choose from to please all ages and interests. Most of North Devon's towns, gardens and attractions can be reached in less than one hour from Lynton.
- Saunton Sands & Woolacombe - for sandy beaches and surfing
- Lundy Island – Take a boat trip to Lundy - a haven for birdwatchers, rock climbers and snorkellers
- Braunton Burrows - one of the many local designated 'Areas Of Outstanding National Beauty'
- Marwood Gardens - one of more than 40 Devon gardens to visit, some privately owned as well as
the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society gardens
- Clovelly – step back in time to the 14th century, with cobbled streets, no cars and ancient quay
- Hartland Point,Quay, Abbey & Gardens - a few miles south of Clovelly, a wonderful rugged
headland looking out to Lundy Island. Docton Mill Gardens nearby too.
- Arlington Court - National Trust property with extraordinary contents, assembled by the compulsive
collector Miss Rosalie Chichester (1866 - 1949).
More details under North Devon Attractions. |
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Lynton Town Facilities and Attractions
Lynton and Lynmouth are small, with a village feel. However all key facilities are provided, including its own cinema, tourist office, boat trips and good restaurants, bistros, tea-rooms and pubs. Activities available include sightseeing, walking, riding, cycling, fishing, surfing, 4x4 safari, sailing and more, or simple relaxation in the tranquil surroundings and enjoying Exmoor's legends, history, crafts and food. Lynton and Lynmouth form a lively community, which welcomes visitors to join in its events and activities including: the annual Music Festival, The Raft Race, The Doone Run and Beer festivals.
Activities & Outdoor Pursuits
- Tennis Courts, Bowling Green, Cricket Pitch, Archery, Putting Green
- Riding, cycling, walking or trekking the coastline paths and moors
- Fly, game or course fishing in the rivers or sea fishing and boat trips
- Surfing, snorkelling, diving, rock climbing,
- Walking with Alta Lyn Alpacas, Horsedrawn Tours
- Brass Rubbing and Hobby Crafts, Painting, Drawing and Ceramic Workshops
Places of Interest
The funicular Cliff Railway, Lyn and Exmoor Museum, Glen Lyn Gorge - The Power of Water, Life Boat Museum, Town Hall, Library, Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall, The Rhenish Tower.
Arts & Shopping
Lyn Valley Arts & Crafts Centre, John Arbon Textiles, Gunns Gallery, Woods Antiques, Exmoor and Lynmouth Gallery, Farthings of Exmoor, Entwhistles - Collectables, Exmoor Flowers, Glaze - Silver & Ceramics, Churchill House - Devon weather specialists, The Lynton Sheepskin shop.
Churches
Church of England, Catholic, Methodist, United Reformed Church, and St John the Baptist.
Local Services
Bistros, Restaurants, Tea-rooms, Pubs, Cinema, Tourist Office, Hairdresser, Beauty treatments, Aromatherapy
Public Transport, Bank and Post Office, Fire, Police, Health Centre and Cottage Hospital.
Beauty Spots & Beaches
The Valley of the Rocks, Watersmeet, Glen Lyn Gorge, Summerhouse Hill, Hollerday Hill, The beaches of Wringcliff, Woody Bay and Lee Abbey.
See What to do - Lynton for the must do activities whilst in Lynton.
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Walking Trails
Whether it is a leisurely stroll, a drive to a point of interest on the paths, or a planned trek, you will be missing out if you do not at least join one of Exmoor's wonderful pathways for a few steps. Plan your own route, follow a Westcountry walks guide, join one of Exmoor's National Park Rangers or pick up one of the famous national trails, all accessible from Lynton and Lynmouth.
National Walking Trails
- The Tarka Trail - Pick up the trail of 'Tarka the Otter' from the classic novel by Henry Williamson first published in 1927. A figure of eight 180 mile epic journey crossing through Dartmoor, Exmoor, and North Devon, some areas changing little since Williamson's descriptions from the 1920s.
- The South West Coast Path - 'Created through history by fishermen, farmers, miners, smugglers, coastguards and soldiers' - Visit stretches of this magnificent 630 mile South West walk stretching from Minehead to Poole. Join it from Porlock, Lynton, Lynmouth, Combe Martin or the Hunters Inn at Heddon's Mouth.
- The Two Moors Way - Linking Southern England's two National Parks, Exmoor and Dartmoor in a 182 mile walk. Join one of its pathways, or drive to one the moorland roads it crosses to take in 'the unspoilt rural scenery with a remote and tranquil feel difficult to find elsewhere in modern times'.
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The Samaritans Way South West – A journey through the countryside, 100 miles from Bristol to Lynton. The walk was devised by Bristol Ramblers members to help attract visitors to the countryside and contribute to the rural economy, with profits from the guide going to the Samaritans in recognition of their support for the Farmers Help Line.
- The Coleridge Way - Follow the steps of Coleridge's travels in the South West - The official new 'Coleridge Way' covers ground from Nether Stowey to Porlock, closer to Lynton walk the stretches that inspired the poems The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner and the Kubla Khan.
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North Devon Attractions
Activities
Discovery Safaris - Porlock; Barle Valley Safaris - Dulverton: Westcountry Walks: Outovercroft Riding Stables - Lynton: Brendon Manor Stables - Brendon: Doone Valley Riding: Horse Drawn Tours - West Ilkerton; Stables & Quads, Quad bikes, Grass and Rally Carts or Drive 4X4 - Ilfracombe: Surfing - Croyde Bay: Go-Garting - Barnstaple: Water Garden, Fly & Fun Fishing - Barnstaple: Angling and Seafishing - Ilfracombe: Skern Lodge, Abseiling, Archery, Assault course, Rafting, Canoeing - Appledore: Yacht Club - Ilfracombe: Oaktree Fishery - South Molton: Exmoor Falconry Hawk Walks & Clay Pigeon Shooting - Allerford: Tank Driving - Nr Bideford: Golf - Ilfracombe, Saunton & Minehead: Cycling and Mountain Biking, Painting and Photography.
Attractions
Narrow Gauge Railway - Woody Bay: Exmoor Zoological Park - Bratton Fleming: Tunnelsbeaches - Ilfracombe: Cobbaton Combat Collection, largest private collection of military equipment - Chittlehampton: West Somerset Steam Railway - Minehead: Tor Cider Farm - Watchet: Gnome Reserve - Bradworthy: Quince Honey Farm – South Molton: Hancock's Cider - South Molton: Torrington 1646 - Torrington:
Gardens and Houses
Heddon Hall Gardens - Parracombe: Silverdale Nurseries, National Collection of Hardy Fuchsias - Combe Martin: Arlington Court - Nr Barnstaple: Cleeve Abbey - Washford:
Broomhill Sculpture Gardens - Nr Barnstaple: Marwood Hill Gardens - Nr Barnstaple: Chambercombe Manor - Ilfracombe: Docton Mill & Gardens - Nr Hartland: Hartland Abbey - Hartland: Tapeley Park Gardens – Instow: RHS Garden Rosemoor - Torrington: Cothay Manor Gardens - Wellington: Dunster Castle - Dunster:
Arts and Galleries, Shopping
Old Corn Mill & Pottery - Hele Bay: Patchwork Centre - South Molton: Exmoor Glass - Porlock Weir: Washford Mill - Watchet: The Appledore Crafts Company - Appledore: Brannam Pottery – Barnstaple: Atlantic Village - Bideford: Dartington Crystal - Great Torrington: Elliot Art Gallery - Braunton: Rocks & Gems - Croyde:
Family Attractions
Dinosaur and Wildlife Park - Combe Martin: Watermouth Castle & Theme Park - Combe Martin: The Big Sheep – Nr Bideford: Cascades - Croyde: Milky Way Adventure Park - Higher Clovelly: North Devon Park Farm – Nr Barnstaple: Atlantis Adventure Park - Bideford:
Museums & Heritage Centres – At Barnstaple / Bideford / Braunton / Combe Martin / Croyde / Ilfracombe / Hartland / Holsworthy / Mortehoe / Appledore / South Molton
Arts and Theatres at Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Winkleigh and Torrington.
Miles to nearby Towns
Barnstaple – 19 miles, Dulverton – 25 miles, Croyde – 25 miles, Woolacombe – 25 miles, Combe Martin – 11 miles, Dunster – 19 miles, Minehead – 19 miles, South Molton – 20 miles, Saunton Sands - 27 miles, Ilfracombe - 25 miles, Porlock 11 miles, Clovelly - 40 miles, Hartland Point 45 miles |
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Diary of Events
December / January
Christmas Murder Mystery / Carol Trains - West Somerset Trains Ancient Wassailing Festival at Carhampton Santa Special Steam Trains - Woody Bay Dunster by Candlelight
February / March
National Park Ranger Walks / Deer Watch
April / May
Crown Beer Festival - Lynton
North Devon Walking & Cycling Festival
Folk Festival - Brendon
'Hunting of the Earl of Rone Festival' Combe Martin
National Park Ranger Pony Watch / Otter Trail / Harbour Boat Trips / Mountain Biking
Quantocks Food Festival
Festival of the Sea - Watchet
Potwalloping - Westward Ho!
Ancient Hobby Horse Dance Festival - Minehead
June
Music Festival - Lynton
Open Gardens / Flower Festival - Lynton
North Devon Festival
GoldCoast Oceanfest - Lifestyle Sports & Music Festival - Woolacombe & Croyde
Victorian Celebration - Ilfracombe
Strawberry Fayre - Combe Martin
Visual Arts Festival - Appledore
Viking Festival - Woolacombe
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July
National Park Ranger Navigating Moorlands /Boat Trips /Deer Stalks /Seaside Safaris
Lyn in Bloom - Lynton & Lynmouth
Music & Comedy Festival - Combe Martin
Power Boat and Thundercat Racing - Ilfracombe
August
Raft Race - Lynmouth
Scarecrow Festival - Lynton & Lynmouth
Brendon Festival
Pony Breed Show - Exford
Dunkery by Moonlight / Tarr Steps Bat Walk with National Park Ranger
Mini Race Rally
North Devon Show
September
Duck Race - Lynmouth
Doone Run - Lynton
Alpaca Day - Lynton
More to Shore Festival
Steam Railway Galas - West Somerset & Woody Bay
October
Crown Hotel Beer Festival - Lynton
Exmoor Food Festival
Two Moors Concerts
Arts Festival Porlock
Dunster Days Gone By / Ghost Tours
Dulverton Carnival
November
Fishing at its best! |
| For exact dates and complete listing see www.lyntonandlynmouth.com |
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