Lynmouth

Lynmouth should not be missed. One of the most beautiful river valleys in Devon (or indeed England) it will not surprise you to know that much of the area is in the care of the National Trust. Follow the East Lyn river to Watersmeet, the focus for several beautiful walks. Leaflet maps are available at the Lodge and recommend that you follow the path towards Brendon.

During it’s popular Victorian property and hotel boom, one George Newnes decided to build himself a holiday home up from Lynmouth on Hollerday Hill. In conjunction with the house he also installed the latest facilities in hydroelectric power, supplying the house with electricity through turbines. In 1983 this private hydroelectric system was restored, and now Lynton and Lynmouth have their own private electricity. They even sell surplus electricity to the national grid.

The Glen Lyn Gorge Power of Water exhibition, located 200 yards upstream from the harbour, is well worth a visit to find out more about hydro-electricity, and how it is produced for the village. The gorge is spectacular and there are beautiful woodland walks by the waterfalls. The kids get the chance to operate the giant water wheel and watch out for the big water cannons as well! The exhibition is open from Easter to Oct, and the Gorge and Hydro-electric centre is also open most winter days.

On the night of 15th August 1952, after a particularly wet summer, the East and West Lyn rivers flooded and, collecting boulders and tree trunks en route, devastated Lynmouth. An estimated 90 million tons of water swept through the village, 34 people lost their lives and many more their homes. You can view the mark showing the level of the waters at the time of the flood at the Power of Water exhibition. Look up - that mark is well above your head.

Mars Hill Lynmouth

In the 19th century the high cliffs separating Lynton from Lynmouth were a major obstacle to economic development. At that time the twin villages mainly relied on sea transport because land travel was extremely difficult and dangerous over Exmoor. Coal, lime and foodstuffs with all other essentials arrived at Lynmouth and then had to be carried by packhorses and handcarts up the steep and tortuous hill to Lynton.

In late 1885 a major project was proposed which included the construction of a solid pier, an esplanade and a ‘Lift ‘ from the said pier or promenade to Lynton. The Cliff Railway was the second part of the scheme and was eventually built by a private company named The Lynton & Lynmouth Lift Co., which was formed by Act of Parliament in 1886. The company still owns and runs the Cliff Railway to date and is the biggest full-time employer in the area.

The Lift is the last fully original Victorian water powered Lift in the world. It operates on a counter-balance system and has no source of power other than water. The brakes, buffers and balance tanks are operated by water, diverted from the Lyn Valley River some 3 miles away and is routed via the original Victorian underground culverts to reservoirs at the head of the Lift.These were mined from solid rock and have an amorphous shape because when the builders hit hard rock they went round it rather than struggle to produce a symmetrical tank. They hold some 250,000 gallons.

Unlike the national railways they do not close due to flooding and leaves on the rails. The only time it cannot operate is if there is a very severe frost, when of course the water freezes in the system. The Victorians had a fool proof system for checking whether it was safe to run, which is still used today. A bucket of water is left in each carriage. If the water is frozen, the railway does not run. The Lift has run for 112 years without accident.

The railway has become the South West’s most popular working attraction. It is open daily from mid February to mid November. This is a visit you must not miss. You can experience Victorian engineering at its best and at the same time enjoy breathtaking views of the spectacular coastline as you rise from the esplanade in Lynmouth on the journey of a lifetime to the beautiful town of Lynton.