Lynton & Lynmouth Itinerary

Sharing the itinerary of our recent trip to the very pretty places in North Devon. In just 3 days, you could do the coastal walk, forest trail along the river comfortably, and see the lush green Exmoor national park during your travel. It is advisable to carry a walking map in Lynmouth and Lynton. Google maps do not display the hiking routes. Hiking shoes are necessary for such trails in the forest and hilly regions.

Day 1: Rail Cliff ride, Lyn Valley Arts & Crafts Center

• Travel to Lynmouth or Lynton by bus (309, 310 every hour) from Barnstaple station.
• Enjoy the beautiful 1-hour ride through the Exmoor national park.
• Check in to the hotel (our stay was in Lynmouth) and walk towards the cliff railway to go up from Lynmouth to Lynton.
• Shop at Lyn Valley Arts & Crafts Center (10 am-5 pm) and visit other local woolens/ leather shops in the market area. They are closed by 4 pm or 5 pm.
• Walk towards Lynmouth. Be careful as the road is slippery due to algae. You can choose the cliff railway overlooking the blue-greenish Lynmouth Bay.
• Buy a cod fish and chips with a garlic dip for dinner from the award-winning Esplanade Fish Bar and watch the sunset at Blacklands beach.

Day 2: Valley of Rocks coastal walk, Lynton village walk

• Breakfast at the hotel or at the local cafes and it would be nice to take away something for a hike.
• Towards the end of the parking park a few steps after the cliff railway, there is an indicator for the Valley of Rocks. This path may not be available on Google Maps. I saw this path on the walking map.
• Climb up the hill and once you reach the top, there is again a sign to head in the right direction towards the southwest coastal path to the Valley of Rocks.
• Walk on a beautiful coastal path on the hill, relishing the stunning colours of the ocean.
• There are some wild goats grazing on the hill and they seemed to be harmless.
• You could climb up Castle Rock and take a fabulous view from the cliffs.
• Take a break for the cream tea at Mother Meldrums Tea Gardens and Restaurant nearby.
• You could either come back to Lynton/Lynmouth following the same SW coast path or walk towards Lynton via the main road. You could spend some time in Lynton. Some interesting shops are Lee Candles, The Lynton Sheepskin Shop, etc.
• You could dine in Lynton or take a cliff railway from Lynton to Lynmouth or walk down the slippery road.

Day 3: Exmoor forest walk up to Watersmeet or Rockford or Countisbury Hill and back to Lynmouth

• Start a fabulous trail from the Lynmouth bus stop along the East Lyn river (walk from the right side) towards the fall at Watersmeet.
• Take a circular turn at Watersmeet Tea Rooms or go till the road ends up to Hillsford Bridge.
• Enjoy the tea and cakes at the cafe and then you could climb further up to Rockford.
• If you decide to come back to Lynmouth, you could walk from the other side through Woodland.
• Another path goes to Countisbury Hill and from there you could come to Lynmouth via the coastal path.
• Have fresh seafood for dinner in Lynmouth and admire the evening sky at Blacklands beach.

Day 4: Glen Lyn Gorge and local shops

• Visit Glen Lyn Gorge: The Power of Water Exhibition
• You might like to take home the handmade fudge and taste the local ice cream.
• There are a couple of gift shops that display home decor items, crystals, paintings, and pottery.
• Catch a bus (309, 310) for Barnstaple and revel in the scenic train ride via beautiful North Devon to your home station.

Some useful links:

• Railway Cliff: https://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/
• Glen Lyn Gorge: http://www.theglenlyngorge.co.uk/
• Lynton & Barnstaple Steam Railway: https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/
• Exmoor Coaster: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus/services/exmoor-coaster