For more information on what's happening in Lynton & Lynmouth go to the community website www.lyntonandlynmouth.org.uk or have a look at www.lynton-lynmouth.com
Lynton & Lymouth until the advent of the Napoleonic Wars were unremarkable Devon villages. Lynmouth had flourished as a fishing port; a prosperous herring industry survived until the herring shoals disappeared in the early 17th century. With Europe in turmoil the holiday playgrounds of France were boycotted by the 'well to do' and they had to look to their own shores for vacation escapes.
Thus Lynton and Lynmouth were discovered for their natural beauty.
Lynmouth sitting by the sea at the confluence of the East and West Lyn
rivers.
Lynton nestles some 500ft higher on a 'shelf' between Countisbury Hill and
Hollerday Hill. The Valley of Rocks whose crag
gy pinnacles rise to nearly 1000
ft above sea level provides a scenery that conjectures mythological tales as
well as informed geological debate as to their formation. Feral goats and newly
introduced Exmoor Ponies roam the bracken hillsides while searching for
food entertaining the visitors as do the soaring buzzards overhead. Elsewhere wooded
ravines cut down through the cliffs to allow excess water from the peaty Exmoor
plateau to drain.
Goats in the Valley of Rocks Lynton
The first hotel appeared in 1807 and Shelley appeared here soon after in 1812 with his 16 yr old bride, to escape from disapproving family. The poet Southey also spent some time here as did Coleridge and Wordsworth. In fact one of Coleridge's favourite walks was from the Valley of Rocks in Lynton to Porlock from which gazing down into Lynmouth Harbour inspired him to write The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner. Blakemore's Lorna Doone was set in the area and there may be more truth in this romantic novel than meets the eye.
The
Cliff Railway was built in 1890 funded by the publisher George Newnes very much
a patron of the area at the time. The railway works
on the simplicity itself. The upper car is filled with water, and then uses
gravity to pull the lower car up the cliff. £1.50 one-way or £2.75 return reduced
prices for children. Learn more of this from
www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk
.
In early 1899 a ship in the Bristol Channel got into trouble as a storm was brewing. The Lynmouth lifeboat was tasked to assist. The Coxswain weighed the scene and realizing there was no hope of launching his life boat at Lynmouth without imperilling the crew and the boat gave the order to launch from Porlock . The Cliff Railway Lynton And there began a remarkable tale of human endeavour by the communities of Lynton and Lynmouth (and those of the surrounding area) to manhandle the boat overland to Porlock some 15 miles uphill and down valley during the hours of darkness. The full story of which is displayed in the Memorial Hall on Lynmouth's esplanade. The epic journey being re-enacted in 1999 to mark its centenary.
In August 1952 Lynton & Lynmouth made headline news when a natural disaster devastated much of Lynmouth. In the evening of the 15th nearly 8 inches of rain fell on the moors above Lynton, with the consequence that most of it attempted to drain via the East and West Lyn rivers. As its spate increased debris and boulders were transported until trapped by bridges and temporally damming them. The bridges not standing the pressure, gave way, increasing deluge down the gorges still further. After blocking a small bridge in Lynmouth, the West Lyn altered its course and flowed down the High Street itself, the height of the waters reaching to the second floors of hotels. In its chaotic cavorting the the flood would totally destroy one building but leave the neighbouring property relatively unscathed. A slide photograph show of per-flood and post flood Lynmouth is given every third Thursday in the Town Hall. A model of pre-flood Lynmouth is also on display in the Memorial Hall. An exhibition to the Power of Water is open from Easter to October in Glen Lyn also a site of special scientific interest.
Our cosy cinema the Lynton Picture Palace www.lyntoncinema.co.ukresides behind the former Methodist Chapel. The former meeting hall has been converted in to the cinema which will be screening the latest released films and a presentation film on the history of Lynton & Lynmouth. The former chapel itself is now the Art & Crafts Exhibition. Here work by local artists and craftsmen are on display for purchase show an attractive piece catch your eye.
Today, the natural beauty of the area still attracts visitors, but now from all corners of the world and there is much to see and do. Try visiting Exmoor attractions at their web site: www.exmoorattractions.com some of which are featured below.
Cyclists: For those wanting to explore the local area but avoid the fumes and traffic jams then take to the bike and follow the bike trails Go to www.exmoor.com/cycling.htm for routes over Exmoor or cycle the Tarka Trail. Walkers: Walking the trails of Exmoor is also extremely popular. Details of trails and paths can had from www.exmoor.com/walking.htm or 'Thematic Trails in North Devon', www.thematictrails.u-net.com/home.htm. The South West Coastal Path, (the longest in Britain 613 miles) nearly passes our front door, www.swcp.org.uk takes you to the association. Designer walks can be tailored to your specification from West Country Walks www.westcountrywalks.co.uk. Runners: If that's a bit tame and you would like to run footpaths and trails then come and stay at The Denes and John will run with you show the testing routes around here. Golfers many of our guests have enjoyed a round or two at Ilfracombe Golf course, but with eight others nearby you could be spoilt for choice. A colour brochure is available at The Denes, or www.northdevon.co.uk has details.
For the less energetic the Lyn & Exmoor museum provides a curious collection of personal, domestic and agricultural history as well as its own personal ghost!, www.devonmuseums.net/lynton . You can try Brass Rubbing both found on the Watersmeet Road in Lynmouth. Railway buffs can enjoy the history of the Lynton & Barnstable Light Railway www.lyntonrail.net2media.co.uk then explore the route of this great little railway. Although the track was lifted over 60 years ago; the railway hasn't gone its only "sleeping". Woody Bay Station on the A39 to Barnstaple is now open as an attraction with over 800 yds of track down.
For Children there is the Gnome reserve at Bradworthy www.gnomereserve.co.uk , or the Milky Way Adventure Park near Bideford, www.themilkyway.co.uk . Nearer to Lynton at Combe Martin is the Dinosaur and Wildlife Park, Info Line 01271 882486 and Exmoor Zoo is just off the A399, plus many more.
For Gardeners visits to Tapely Park Gardens at Instow or at Great Torrington the RHS Garden Rosemoor www.rhs.org.uk come well recommended. Whilst in Gt Torrington there is also the site of the last great battle of the Civil War try www.great-torrington.com for further information.
Whatever your pleasure there will be something for all and we will look forward to meeting you at The Denes.
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The Denes is a member of LACT, Lyn Association of Commerce and Tourism www.lyntonandlynmouthscene.co.uk and Lynton and Lynmouth Tourist Information www.lyntourism.co.uk