Countisbury Lodge Lynmouth

Lynton & Lynmouth

The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are a magical place known as 'Little Switzerland' and 'the Walking Capital of Exmoor' as well as other monikers.

There is plenty to do outdoors plus great food and shopping and local attractions.

Sights

The villages and their setting are the main attraction. There are so many amazing places to see but the most well know is probably the Valley of the Rocks with it's massive rocky peaks, and famous feral goats, not forgetting the cricket ground and tearoom of course (in Summer).

Also well worth a trip up onto the moors to try to catch a sight of the famous Exmoor ponies.

Events

A busy little place with lots going on, from the Regatta and Summer Markets to the Dark Skies Festival in late Autumn and Christmas displays and shopping in Winter.

See Visit Lynton and Lynmouth events section for more events.

And the Lynton and Lynmouth facebook page has even more.

Eating & Drinking

Pubs

All of the pubs in the area do good food as well as plenty of options at the bar.

• The Rising Sun
• The Ancient Mariner
• The Rock House
• Barque
• The Crown, Lynton
• The Queens, Lynton
• The Blue Ball, Countisbury
• The Rockford Inn, Rockford
• The Fox & Goose, Parracombe. Great veggie options

Cafes/Restaurants

• Harbour Shed and Esplanade chippies both do excellent fish & chips
• The Tuck Box. Pasties of all sorts (and fudge)
• Simone's Sarnies. Excellent, massive Focaccias sell out quickly
• Pavilion Dining Room. Lunches with a sea view
• The Old Bank, Lynton. Small plates, great veggie options
• Charlie Fridays, Lynton. Great breakfasts, cakes, coffees and occasional groovy Summer evenings
• Restaurant Kensington, Lynton. Upmarket steak restaurant for special nights
• Greenhouse, all day, all night. Beautiful building
• Loads more in Lynton including evenings at Number 10 (Italian), The Oak Room (Tapas), Vanilla Pod (Mediterranean)
• And lunches at The Old Coach house, Abi's Cafe, Northcoast, Exmoor Escape, and others
• Watersmeet. National Trust cafe in a beautiful part of the river.
• Loads of places for ice-creams

Entertainment

• Lynton Cinema, dog friendly and only £6
• The Cliff Railway joins Lynton & Lynmouth
• Hole in 1 putting with a view (& icecream)
• Toy Museum
• Lyn & Exmoor Museum
• Lynton & Barnstaple Railway

Shopping

• Lyn Valley Arts & Crafts
• Lyn Candles
• Ginger Nut homeware and gifts
• Lynmouth Soapery
• Lyn Valley Dog House and Nose to Tail for your 4-legged friend
• Loads of other fantastic shops in Lynton including Willow
• And loads of art galleries, in both Lynmouth and Lynton

Tourist info

Exmoor National Park Centre in Lynmouth Pavillion has displays, maps, events, films and talks and still has space for a great cafe.

Lynmouth Harbour

Lynmouth Harbour at sunset

The East Lyn River in Autumn colours

Lynton and Lynmouth from a distance

The South West Coast Path at Valley of the Rocks

Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway

Activities

Walking

This is a walking haven.

The South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way (and Coast to Coast), the Coleridge Way and the Tarka Trail all pass through Lynmouth.

Local walks along the stunning coast or all over the East Lyn Valley including Watersmeet (made famous by Julia Bradbury and Kate Humble), over to Hollerday Hill and Valley of Rocks are just the starting point. There are miles of tracks directly from our door.

See Walkers are Welcome for more inspiration.

Running

There are several trail running events a year in and around Lynton & Lynmouth.

For example, Endurancelife Exmoor, in May

One of our lovely guests posted an excellent video showing off our Bird's Eye View apartment and the surrounding, stunning countryside with some of the best views in the country.

Swimming

While the weather and water is warmer, taking a dunk in the sea or the pools of the Lyn River is a great way to refresh. Both Blacklands Beach and Lee Bay are good for swimming on the right tide and in calm seas. The town is planning to renovate its own sea pool and it has been known for a portable sauna to turn up in Lynmouth Harbour on occasion. Many other fantastic swimming spots can be found in North Devon including Ilfracombe's Tunnels Beaches just a drive away.

Pampering

There a plenty of ways to treat yourself here, including a community owned Sea Sauna down by the beach, and conveniently close to The Coffee Shack by Blacklands Beach.

Cycling

Cyclists are also catered for although it is very hilly so not for the faint-hearted.

Surfing

Lynmouth's point break is now part of the World-class North Devon Surf Reserve.

It is not well known except by locals, where it can be very popular in the right conditions (mainly during Winter).

Kayaking

The lower East Lyn river is a grade 4-5 kayaking location in the Winter when the water is flowing over boulders rather than around them.

Driving

There are beautiful drives out along tiny winding roads all over the coast and moors, visiting other lovely villages throughout Exmoor.

Horse Riding

We have several very local horse riding centres where you can enjoy the pleasure of riding on Exmoor with views of the sea.

Caffyns Farm Trekking, Sparhanger Equestrian Centre based in Barbrook and Brendon Manor Riding Centre are only a few miles away.