Discover Lynmouth: history, coast and walking routes

If you are choosing between a stay focused on cultural history and time outdoors, Lynmouth offers several concrete points of interest: a historic railway to Lynton, memorial sites commemorating the 1952 flood, paths along the East Lyn and Eastern Beach. The attractions have different focuses. You can consider whether you are more interested in local history, technological development, landscape or a visit to the beach.

Historic railway and local history

The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway connects Lynmouth with Lynton. It opened in 1890 and is a historic railway that is still in operation. The Exmoor National Park Information Centre is located in the Pavilion on the Esplanade, next to the Cliff Railway. This gives you two different points of interest at this location: the connection between the two towns and an information centre about Exmoor National Park.

Lynmouth’s Rhenish Tower stands on the quay and is a Grade II listed building. General Rawdon had the tower built to store salt water for indoor baths. Its history connects this original purpose with the 1952 flood: the tower was badly damaged at the time and rebuilt in 1954. Its location on the quay and eventful history make the tower a tangible point of reference if you are exploring Lynmouth’s architectural history.

The Flood Memorial Hall stands opposite the harbour. Its Lifeboat Exhibition tells the story of the overland transport and launch of the lifeboat Louisa in 1899. Another exhibit is a detailed scale model of Lynmouth as it looked before the flood disaster. Together, these two subjects offer different perspectives: the lifeboat points to the area’s maritime history, while the model focuses on the village as it was before the disaster.

The Rhenish Tower and the Flood Memorial Hall also approach the 1952 flood from different angles. The tower’s story concerns the damage to and rebuilding of a single building; the Hall’s exhibition uses the model to recall Lynmouth as it was before the flood. You can therefore explore local history through specific buildings and exhibits, without reducing the subject to a single monument.

Paths along the East Lyn and Glen Lyn Gorge

Two walking routes start in Lynmouth and offer different points of reference. The Lynmouth and Watersmeet route follows the East Lyn and crosses the river. It includes a steady climb and sections that can be slippery after rain. If you are considering this route, factor the climb and possible slipperiness after rain into your plans. The Watersmeet Circular Walk follows the East Lyn to its confluence with the Hoar Oak Water. The routes therefore have different points of reference: one mentions the course of the river and a crossing, while the other has the confluence as its destination.

Glen Lyn Gorge brings together another theme: the landscape and Lynmouth’s history of technology. A small museum shows how water powered the village’s early hydroelectric system; Glen Lyn Gorge also features a natural ravine and a water-powered curiosity. Behind the museum, a path leads through a narrow, wooded gorge, past rushing water, rock formations and small waterfalls. Here you can explore both early hydroelectric power and a distinctive landscape feature.

Eastern Beach and memorial sites

To reach Eastern Beach, cross the river and walk past Manor Green near Rock House. You can go for a walk there, play with children or take your dog for a walk. These options give the beach a different character from the village’s historic attractions: your visit can centre on exercise by the water, playing together or walking your dog.

You can reach Middleham Gardens from Lynmouth via a path along the East Lyn River; the walk is considered relatively short. The garden is a memorial to the hamlet of Middleham and the people whose lives were devastated by the 1952 flood. A visit here therefore focuses not on an exhibit but on remembering the hamlet and those affected. The walk there also offers another way to connect Lynmouth on foot with a place of remembrance.

Another cultural stop is the Lyn Model Railway. It features a large London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) layout depicting the period from 1935 to 1940. This is a different historical period from the exhibitions about the 1952 flood or the history of the Rhenish Tower: here, the focus is on a model railway landscape and a precisely defined period. Lynmouth thus offers a range of subjects to shape your stay around, from railway and technology history to riverside paths and a visit to the coast.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cheriton Bishop, Yealmpton, Tavistock, Exmouth, Hemyock, Exeter, Sidmouth, Morebath

For the main travel overview: Devon.