Lynton/Lynmouth Exmoor costal vilages

Visiting the seaside villages of Lynton and Lynmouth in your motorhome is not for the faint hearted. The A39 across Exmoor is narrow and twisty in places and not recommended for those driving new or large motorhomes. That said it is a challenging, interesting drive.

Suggested route: Follow A39 round to the petrol station. Follow signs to Lynton, turning left and following signs to the end of the road. Turn left signed Valley of the Rocks. There are two car parks here that are Pay and Display and some unrestricted parking en-route. There is also a large round about so it is easy to turn round.

Parking: All the village car parks are pay and display, from 10 am to 9pm, parking costs £0.70 for one hour, £1.40 for two hours. All ban sleeping and cooking in vehicles and threaten to fine vehicles that exceed their parking bay. There are no motorhome parking bays. In both Lynton and Lynmouth there is on street parking allowing two hours free and there is some unrestricted parking towards The Valley of the Rocks.

What to do: These villages are ideal for a stop-off en-route or for avid walkers.
Half hour visit:
1) Visit the cliff railway and take a ride, wander around the shops – suitable for all abilities
2) Park at the car park at Watersmeet (motorhomes no longer than 5.5 meters). Walk down the hill to the National Trust café and enjoy a homemade cake, a short meander along the river, possibly even a swim! This is a shady loose surface path, not suitable for disabled people but ideal place to exercise dogs. Every dog we saw was wet.
2 Hours
Drive to the valley of the rocks checking for free/unrestricted parking. Where the road is gated you can walk the tarmac path to the sea, you look over un expected cricket field and the cliffs are a good location to see The Valley of the Rock goats. Follow the path along the cliff edge bearing to the right. Eventually the path will curve inland bringing you into Lynton. All of the above section is tarmac, and probably navigable with wheelchairs but is narrow in places, and has very steep unfenced drops.
When you cross the cliff railway you can shorten the walk by carrying on the road called North Walk that leads to Lee Road (Lynton High Street). Lee road can be followed back to your motorhome.
Alternatively follow the sign to Lynmouth and follow the zig-zag path down. Walk around the harbour and Esplanade. Visit the Lymouth Flood Memorial Hall (open form 10am, Free) to get an understanding of the flood that devastated Lynmouth on August 15th 1952. Just outside the memorial Hall there should be a timetable of boats passing down the Bristol Channel (When we were there a car transporter passed, and it was simply massive). On again towards the Cliff Railway, there is evidence of lime kilns and finally the railway itself. (At this point if you are visiting for longer than two hours see below.) Catch the cliff railway up to Lynton and follow the path round and you will exit onto Lee Road (Lynton High St), follow the road round to the right and back to your motorhome.
More than two hours
Follow the Esplanade into Riverside Road. Keep the river on your left you will be following the whole way. At the end of the road turn left across the river and cross the road taking the first turning on the right, called Tors Road. You should now be walking along with the river on your right. This road will eventually lead to a footpath. Follow this footpath along the river to Watersmeet National Trust Café. There are opportunities for paddling and swimming along the way. At watersmeet either retrace your steps back to the espianade and catch the cliff railway up to Lynton and follow the path round and you will exit onto Lee Road (Lynton High St), follow the road round to the right and back to your motorhome. Alternativly use the map across the bridge from the cafe to find another path back.
Serious walkers should find details of local walks at the tourist information office, there are plenty of footpaths for all abilities.

Food: If you fancy a cream tea or a light lunch try the café at the to of the Cliff Railway in Lynton for its excellent views and entertainment from the railway.
The National Trust café (open to non-members) serves excellent home made cakes and lunches in idyllic surroundings.
There are cafes, pubs and restaurants in both Lynmouth and Lynton.

Shops: There are two small Supermarkets in Lee Road, Lynton, where provisions can be purchased. This is not a place for serious shopping unless you are after a souvenir or a painting.
ATMs (cash machines): There is a Lloyds ATM in Lee Street, Lynton.
Beach: This is a stony beach with tidal waters, so you wont be able to swim when you choose. This is not a location for a beach holiday.
Tourist Information: Located in Lee St, Lynton. http://www.lynton-lynmouth-tourism.co.uk/

Attractions:
Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall, open 10am daily Free
Cliff Railway: http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/ Tel:01598 753486
Lyn and Exmoor Museum, Market St, Lynton www.devonmuseums.net/lynton
Glen Lyn Gorge, Lynmouth
Exmoor Boat Trips, from the harbour, Tel: 01598 753207
Lynton Cinima Tel: 01598 753243
Krazy Krafts Workshop: Tel 01598 753453
Valley of the Rocks Free involves walking
Watersmeet Free can view from vehicle

Festivals
June – Lynton/Lynmouth music festival
August – Scarcrow Festival
September – The Doone Run www.thedenes.com/doonerun.htm
October – Exmoor food festival

Campsites: (pricing A= £0-£4, B= £4.01-£8, C=£8.01-£12, D=£12.01-£16, E=£16.01-£20, based on two adults one motorhome and electric)

Name: Lynton Site, Camping and Caravan Club – Non members welcome
No. Pitches:105
Price:D
Tel:01598 752379
Web: http://www.campingandcaravanclub.co.uk/
Location and style: Rural, open plan. No static’s but some season pitches
Distance from town: 2.7 miles. According to the wardens it takes half an hour to walk to town and an hour and a half uphill to get back.
Comments: The facilities are not the most modern but include showers, toilets, washing up sinks and laundry. Shop, play area, bus in a quarter of a mile.

Name: Channel View Camping and Caravan Park
No. Pitches: 85
Price: D
Tel: 01598 753349
Web: http://www.channel-view.co.uk/
Location and style: Rural Two large fields and some private nooks. Views. Some static’s
Distance from town: 2.3 miles Campers informed us it was thirty minutes walk to town and an hour back.
Comments: The facilities are not the most modern but include showers, toilet, washing up sinks and laundry. There is also a shop, reasonably café and country pub next door.

Name: Sunny Lyn Holiday Park
No. Pitches: 9
Price: D
Tel: 01598 753384
Web: http://www.caravandevon.co.uk/
Location and style: Semi rural, village location. Edge of river – fishing included. Majority static
Distance from town: 0.8 miles reception informed us it was 20 minutes walk into town.
Comments: Did not inspect the toilets/showers but had the nicest shop. On site
restaurant and a pub at end of site. The most convenient and picturesque site in town but with a difficult entrance best approached from Lynmouth. Motorhome pitches are hard standing car park style. Advisable to book in advance.


Name: Caffyns Farm
Opening: May-Oct
No. Pitches: 5
Price: B No electric
Tel: details in Caravan Club book or on website
Web: www.caravanclub.co.uk
Distance from town: 3 miles
Location and style: Rural. Farm CL site. Field location. Views
Comments: Expect meadow style grass and to share the field with farm equipment. This will not suit everybody. There are no local amenities and only water and dump facilities.