Why camp in Lynton and Lynmouth?
Two for the price of one
A pair of stunning villages in Exmoor National Park with stunning coastal views? It’s got to be the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, which together make one of Devon’s most appealing outdoor holiday destinations.
Lynton has spectacular views from its hilltop position and an overall elegant feel, being mostly made up of Victorian buildings that look out over the Bristol Channel and the far-off Welsh hills. Lynmouth, in contrast, is right on the shore – head here to admire traditional Devon fishing boats, the old cobbled harbour and the fast-flowing river Lyn.
While walking between the two is a scenic experience, an easier option is to take the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, an elegant Victorian funicular that allows visitors to glide between the high and low towns in just a few minutes.
Access to Exmoor National Park
Lynton and Lynmouth are surrounded by Exmoor National Park, a spectacular patchwork of woodlands, heaths and coastal habitats that straddles the border between Devon and Somerset.
Some of Exmoor’s best walks pass through Lynton and Lynmouth, making this area an excellent base for top-rated trails like the South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way and the Tarka Trail.
Exploring Exmoor by bike is another excellent idea – if you could do with a bit of help up its many hills, hire an electric mountain bike in Lynton. Book far enough in advance and you may even be able to have it delivered to your accommodation.
Valley of Rocks
There’s a lot to like about Lynton and Lynmouth, but one of its most unforgettable sights has got to be the Valley of Rocks. This spectacular geological spot is under a mile from Lynton and Lynmouth and is accessible either by road or via a stunning seaside footpath.
Feral goats have grazed this valley for hundreds of years, and to this day some of their descendants can still be spotted nimbly hopping from rock to rock.
The best things to do in Lynton and Lynmouth
In town
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Sample top-quality seafood, creamy Devonshire cheeses and farm-fresh organic produce at Lynton farmers’ market (held on the first Saturday of every month).
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Find out more about the local area and plan an itinerary for your trip at Lynton’s Exmoor National Park Centre.
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Play a round of miniature golf at Hole in 1 Lynmouth while looking out over gorgeous Blacklands beach.
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Enjoy a picnic by the waterfalls at Glen Lyn Gorge.
The best things to do within an hour’s drive of Lynton and Lynmouth
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Ride vintage locomotives on the narrow-gauge Lynton and Barnstaple Railway (10 minutes’ drive to Woody Bay station).
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Make friends with exotic animals and birds at Exmoor Zoo (20 minutes), a fab animal park halfway between Lynton and Barnstaple.
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Explore lakes, walled gardens and all kinds of flourishing foliage at Marwood Hill Gardens, five miles from the popular town of Braunton (30 minutes).
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Pose for a family photo as you cross the famous Tarr Steps, a scenic spot deep in the river Barle valley near Dulverton (40 minutes).
Delve deeper
Watersmeet
The National Trust property at Watersmeet is located in one of England’s deepest river gorges, making a spectacular backdrop for canoeing, fishing, walks by the water or simply tucking into a Devon cream tea. Watersmeet is just under two miles from Lynton or Lynmouth and has ample car parking available.
Porlock Weir Toll Road
For a spectacular cycle or drive, set out on the stunning four-mile stretch of toll road that runs between Lynton and Portlock. Yes, you’ll have to pay a small fee – but the panoramic views over moorlands and wild woodland glades mean the experience is more than worth it.
The flood of 1952
In August 1952, disaster struck Lynmouth when a devastating summer storm caused the East and West Lyn rivers to overflow their banks. A huge torrent ripped through the town, destroying everything in its wake and killing 34 local people.
To learn more about this terrible tragedy and how the town rebuilt itself, head to the Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall, where a scale model helps visitors imagine what life here would have been like before 1952.
Here’s how
Looking for accommodation in the Lynton area? Pitchup’s selection of campsites near the north Devon coast has something for all tastes and budgets, from cosy camping pods and lodges to rustic West Country farm stays. Guests booking sites near Lynton and Lynmouth often keep an eye out for:
North Devon can be a popular place to camp, so if you’re looking for somewhere with last-minute availability you might like to try other scenic spots like Woolacombe, Barnstable or Combe Martin.
Alternatively, try broadening your search area to the whole of Devon, or check out other coastal counties in the South West of England like Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall.
