Devon is a beautiful county with dramatic coastal landscapes, quaint villages, market towns and stunning beaches. The town of Lynton and the village of Lynmouth sit on the North Devon coast at the edge of Exmoor National Park. Joining the two, is the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway which boasts some of the best views in the county.
If you’re planning a trip to Devon or indeed Somerset, you must add the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed! This useful guide will give you all the best information to enjoying this beautiful area of North Devon. We visited in July [2024] and can’t wait to go back to explore more.
Here’s what you need to know about visiting Lynton and Lynmouth and riding the heritage Cliff Railway.
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is a water-powered funicular which means it is a type of cable railway.
Why is the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway unique?
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is the only completely water powered railway in the UK and one of only three examples left in the world. The others are the Bom Jesus do Monte Funicular in Portugal, and the Funiculaire Neuveville-St.Pierre in Switzerland. This is one of the many reasons why you need to visit Lynton and Lynmouth to experience this unique way to travel in the UK.
This working heritage railway is grade II listed and an award-winning eco attraction. The railway holds several heritage and transport awards, plus the Green Tourism ‘Gold’ award for sustainable tourism.
How does the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway work?
The Cliff Railway works on a simple balancing principle using gravity, and water as ballast to move the cars up and down the hill.
Water is taken from the West Lyn River and fills the 700 gallon tank of the top ‘docked’ passenger car. Water from the lower car is then discharged until the heavier top car descends and pulls the lower car up the hill.
The two cars are connected by two hauling cables that run around a huge pulley wheel at each end of the tracks. The unique braking system of the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is also completely water powered and so remains one of the most environmentally friendly tourist attractions in the world.
Where is the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway?
The Cliff Railway address (and main entrance) is:
Lynton & Lynmouth Lift Co,
The Cliff Railway,
The Esplanade,
Lynmouth,
North Devon,
EX35 6EQ
The Cliff Railway connects the village of Lynmouth, which lies at the bottom of the cliff, with its sister village of Lynton sitting 500m above.
The address of the Cliff Railway in Lynton (top entrance) is:
Lee Road,
Lynton
North Devon,
EX35 6HW
How do I get to the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway?
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is in North Devon just over the border from Somerset. It sits at the edge of Exmoor National Park in a stunning area of outstanding natural beauty.
It’s about 2 hours from Bristol and under an hour and a half from Exeter. If you’re visiting Butlins in Minehead, then the cliff railway is less than a 45 minutes drive away.
By Car:
From the M5 (1 hr) – Take the A361, A399, A39 then B3234
From Minehead (40 mins)- Follow A39
By Public Transport:
Trains – The nearest railway station is Barnstable.
Bus – 309/310 Bus from Barnstable Station to Lynton/Lynmouth (Takes about 1 hr);
Exmoor Coaster Bus from Lynmouth to Blue Anchor via Dunster, Minehead and Porlock. Scenic open top bus service is one of the most spectacular bus routes in the UK.
Parking for Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
There are a few parking options for the Cliff Railway in Lynton and Lynmouth.
Lynmouth Car Parks are at Upper and Lower Lyndale, Watersmeet and The Esplanade.
Lynton Car Parks are at Bottom Meadow, Cross Street and the Valley of the Rocks. There is more car parking in Lynton than in Lynmouth.
If you decide to park in Lynmouth, be prepared for a very steep, twisty drive down the hill.
When was the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway built?
Work started in 1887 for the cliff railway in Lynton and Lynmouth and is a fine example of Victorian engineering. The Victorians were ahead of their time when creating this masterpiece which is the ultimate in “green travel”. No electricity is used to power the cars up and down the hill.
The opening day of the cliff railway was Easter Monday, 7th April, 1890. It has been in continuous use ever since.
Why was the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway built?
The Cliff Railway was built in the 19th Century to join the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth. The villages were separated by high cliffs which were a major obstacle when transporting goods arriving by sea. Freight such as coal and food were transported by packhorse until the cliff railway arrived.
Tourists arriving on paddle steamers from Bristol and Wales found it a great benefit as they could be drawn up to Lynton in a comfortable carriage.
How tall is the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway?
The Cliff Railway is rises 500 feet (152.4 m) and is 862 feet (262.7 m) long. It’s the highest and steepest fully water-powered cliff railway in the world.
Our Experience of the Cliff Railway
Visiting in the school summer holidays, you can expect queues for the Cliff Railway at peak times. We waited about 15 – 20 minutes until it was our turn.
Buy your tickets before you embark from the little ticket office at the entrance. Here, you can also buy some cliff railway souvenirs to take home.
If you’re able to get on first, grab a spot outside the carriage, next to the train operator. There’s room here for a couple of people. Although it’s standing room only, you’ll have the best views across the bay as you’re travelling up. The children managed to get this prime spot so I gave them my phone to take a few photos. The views are awesome across Lynmouth Bay with the cliffs of the Exmoor coast in the background.
Otherwise, inside the carriage, there’s vintage wooden seating on either side and standing room for a few more.
The journey is quite shaky and the carriage wobbles from side to side a little bit as it rumbles up the track. But this adds to the vintage feel of this experience. You can watch the driver operate the train to see how it works and also hear the water being released.
As you travel up the cliff, you’ll pass the other carriage on its way down, meeting halfway. The whole trip only takes a few minutes but it’s a great experience for the whole family.
At the top, you’ll see the Cliff Top Cafe which is the perfect stop-off for a Devonshire Cream Tea.
Going Back Down
You can either walk back down or, like us, travel down on the Cliff Railway for double the fun! Make sure you take the time to explore the quaint streets of Lynton before retuning back to Lynmouth.
If you decide to walk, take the Westerway – an ancient route once used by smugglers. This was the original route before the cliff railway, formerly taken by the donkeys that hauled goods and passengers up the hill. The Westerway path zig-zags down the hill crossing over the Cliff Railway before emerging onto the Esplanade in Lynmouth.
Opening hours of Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
2024 Opening Times
| Opening | Closing | |
| Sat 17th Feb (opening day) | 11.00am | 5.00pm |
| Sun 18th Feb – Fri 29th Mar | 10.00am | 5.00pm |
| Sat 30th Mar – Fri 19th Jul | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Sat 20th Jul – Sun 1st Sep | 10.00am | 7.00pm |
| Mon 2nd Sep – Fri 4th Oct | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Sat 5th Oct – Fri 1st Nov | 10.00am | 5.00pm |
| Sat 2nd Nov – Fri 8th Nov | 10.00am | 4.00pm |
Are dogs allowed on the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway?
Yes! You may bring your dogs on the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff railway as long as they are on a short lead. Dogs must ride inside the carriage and there’s a small charge for larger dogs. Guide dogs and lap dogs go free.
How much does it cost to visit the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway?
Ticket Prices
| Single | |
| Adult | £ 3.50 |
| Child (4 – 15 years) | £ 2.20 |
Dogs (on a short lead) (Guide dogs/lap dogs ride FREE) | £ 1.00 |
Note – These prices are for a single journey.
Is the Cliff Railway accessible for wheelchair and pushchair users?
Guidance from the Cliff railway website says pushchairs and wheelchairs need to be folded due to the narrow Victorian carriages. Unfortunately, mobility scooters and larger wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
Visit the Cliff Top Cafe
You must visit the quaint Cliff Top Cafe at the top station in Lynton which has spectacular coastal views.
We enjoyed a cream tea in the sunshine, sitting at the outside tables overlooking Lynmouth Bay and the Exmoor coast. This must be one of the best locations to enjoy a cream tea in the West Country.
They also serve light takeaway lunch options, plus soft drinks, ice cream and freshly ground coffee.
More things to do in Lynton and Lynmouth
Allow enough time to explore both Lynton and Lynmouth, with their charming cobbled streets, quaint shops and spectacular views. There are plenty of places to stop for food or, bring a picnic to enjoy near the beach.
From its alpine appearance, it’s easy to see why this area is also known as Little Switzerland. With its dramatic high cliffs and breathtaking views of Exmoor National Park and Lynmouth Bay, this area is definitely worth exploring.
Did you know? Exmoor has the highest coastline on the British mainland.
Walking in Lynton and Lynmouth
Both Lynton and Lynmouth are a great starting point for many fine coastal walks, such as the Tarka Trail. You can also walk along the South West Coast Path to the Valley of the Rocks, explore Lyn Glen Gorge or walk along the river to Watermeet (National Trust).
The Two Moors Way path starts in Lynmouth and the Coleridge Way path heads towards nether Stowey.
The mark the meeting point of these four great national trails is The Walker statue on Lynmouth’s waterfront.
Things to see and do in Lynton
High up on the cliff top, Lynton boasts the most magical views. Take a stroll around the small town where you’ll discover narrow streets with independent shops, cafes and art galleries. The Lyn and Exmoor Museum is in the oldest building in Lynton, there’s an independent cinema, and Lynton Toy Museum.
Things to see and do in Lynmouth
Wander around the picturesque coastal village of Lynmouth with its quaint harbour, beach and independent shops. Take a walk along Lynmouth Street, the main pedestrian shopping area selling local crafts, sweet treats, clothing and souvenirs.
Stop off for fish and chips from the harbour or an ice cream and sit along the seafront enjoying the views.
There’s a couple of museums in Lynmouth: the Lyn model railway and the Flood Memorial which has an exhibition in the Memorial Hall of the 1952 flood disaster in the village. It’s also worth checking out the Exmoor National Park Centre for more inspiration of this area.
Enjoy a family putting game at the Hole in 1 on the green in Lynmouth. There’s also a children’s play area nearby and tennis courts for hire.
Nature-lovers will enjoy a walk along Glen Lyn Gorge. A path takes you to Moses Pool deep within the wooded gorge where lovely waterfalls lead to an impressive ravine. At the visitor centre you’ll discover how hydropower is a renewable source of energy for the village and see The Power of Water Exhibition. Look out for the huge water jets which you can see from the main entrance at Lynmouth Road junction.
You can also book boat trips from the Glen Lyn Gorge which takes you around the Exmoor heritage coastline.
I hope you found this guide useful and enjoy your trip to Lynton and Lynmouth.
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