Shelia's Cottage, near Lynmouth

In Lynmouth

The Rising Sun -- A famous thatched harbourside inn with literary connections stretching back to Shelley's stay in 1812. Serves locally caught seafood and seasonal produce with real ales. Outdoor seating with views across the bay to the heather-clad sea cliffs is wonderful at sunset.

Rock House Hotel -- A harbour-side restaurant and bar with a terraced garden, serving traditional dishes with flair and a good selection of wines and local ales.

The Ancient Mariner -- Named after Coleridge's poem, written while he was in this area in 1798. A relaxed pub known for Exmoor Ales and West Country cider.

The Village Inn -- A welcoming pub in the heart of Lynmouth offering hearty meals and local ales.

Esplanade Fish Bar -- A popular seasonal fish and chip shop on the seafront, using locally sourced produce. Perfect for eating on the beach.

Charlie Friday's -- Beachside coffee and pastries beside Lynmouth's Eastern Beach. Outdoor-first and dog-friendly.

Lyndale Tea Rooms -- A charming tea room in Lynmouth offering homemade cakes, cream teas, and light lunches.

In Lynton (cliff railway or footpath)

Restaurant Kensington -- An intimate restaurant offering exceptional locally sourced food with friendly, attentive service. Booking recommended.

Number Ten -- A popular Italian restaurant in Lynton serving delicious pasta, pizzas, and burgers.

The Vanilla Pod -- Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine in Lynton's Old Town, offering a varied and flavourful menu.

The Oak Room -- By day a tea and coffee house serving leaf teas, Devon cream teas, and cakes. In the evening it transforms into an intimate bistro serving authentic tapas.

The Crown Hotel -- A traditional public house in Lynton serving good food and West Country ales and ciders.

Short Drive

The Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury -- A 13th-century inn with low ceilings, blackened beams, and stone fireplaces, approximately 1.5 miles east. Hearty food and great beer in a timeless setting.

The Staghunters Inn, Brendon -- A riverside pub in the village of Brendon, approximately 3 miles along the valley road. A rewarding destination after the walk to Watersmeet.

The Hunters Inn, Heddon Valley -- Set in a stunning valley, open daily for coffees, lunches, cream teas, and dinners using locally sourced produce. Approximately 20 minutes by car.

Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway -- The highest and steepest entirely water-powered cliff railway in the world, opened in 1890. A 500-foot ascent connecting the harbour to Lynton, powered purely by gravity and water from the West Lyn River. The Cliff Top Cafe at the summit has spectacular views. Talk and tour sessions explain the Victorian engineering.

Valley of Rocks -- A dramatic dry valley of ancient rock formations just west of Lynton, formed during the last ice age. Enormous rugged tors rise from the grassy slopes, with feral goats scrambling across the crags. Free to visit and reachable on foot from Lynton in around 20 minutes via the North Walk.

Watersmeet -- A beautiful National Trust property where the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water meet in a deep wooded gorge. The tea garden and shop at Watersmeet House make a wonderful destination after the walk up the valley from Lynmouth. The surrounding oak woodland is rich with wildlife, mosses, and ferns.

Glen Lyn Gorge -- An exhibition and gorge walk exploring the devastating 1952 Lynmouth flood and the village's pioneering use of hydroelectric power. A working hydro generator produces 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The gorge itself is dramatic, with markers showing where floodwaters rose 50 feet above normal levels.

Boat trips -- Trips run from Lynmouth harbour along the heritage coastline, with chances to see seals, dolphins, and dramatic cliff formations including the Valley of Rocks from the sea.

Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve -- Exmoor holds International Dark Sky Reserve status. On clear nights the stargazing from the moor above Lynmouth is exceptional.

Lyn and Exmoor Museum -- Housed in the oldest building in Lynton, the museum tells the story of the area from ancient times through the 1952 flood to the present day. The Lynmouth Flood Memorial Hall also displays a scale model of the village before the disaster.

Lynton Cinema -- An independent cinema in Lynton showing current releases in an intimate setting.

Wider Exmoor

Arlington Court and Carriage Museum -- A National Trust property with a renowned collection of horse-drawn carriages, set in beautiful grounds. Approximately 25 minutes by car.

Horse riding on Exmoor -- Several riding stables offer moorland treks suitable for all abilities.

Fishing -- Salmon and trout fishing on the rivers Lyn, Exe, and Barle. Sea fishing trips also run from Lynmouth harbour.

Dunster Castle -- A striking medieval castle set in beautiful gardens, managed by the National Trust. Approximately 30 minutes by car via Porlock.

Walks from Lynmouth

Watersmeet -- A beautiful riverside walk along the East Lyn River through deep oak woodland to Watersmeet House, where the East Lyn and Hoar Oak Water meet in a dramatic gorge. The National Trust tea garden makes a perfect halfway stop. Approximately 1.5 miles each way, mostly flat but with some uneven and rocky sections. One of the most popular walks on Exmoor.

The North Walk and Valley of Rocks -- A spectacular cliff-top path from Lynton to the Valley of Rocks, a dramatic dry valley of ancient rock formations where feral goats roam among towering tors. You can start from Lynmouth via the cliff railway or the zigzag footpath to Lynton, then follow the North Walk westward. The Valley of Rocks is approximately 1 mile from Lynton. Castle Rock offers panoramic views from the top. Allow 2-3 hours for the round trip from Lynmouth.

Countisbury and Foreland Point -- Head east from Lynmouth on the South West Coast Path, climbing steeply to Countisbury Hill. Continue to Foreland Point, the most northerly headland in Devon, where you can take the path down to the lighthouse. Butter Hill on this stretch, at over 1,000 feet, is one of the highest points on the entire South West Coast Path. The Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury is a welcome stop. Approximately 4 miles return.

Watersmeet to Brendon and Rockford Inn -- Extend the Watersmeet walk by continuing up the valley to the village of Brendon and the Rockford Inn, a riverside pub in a lovely setting. The walk follows the river through ancient woodland for most of its length. Approximately 4 miles each way from Lynmouth -- rewarding but allow plenty of time.

South West Coast Path -- Lynmouth sits on the 630-mile South West Coast Path. Head west via Lynton to the Valley of Rocks, Woody Bay, and Heddon Valley, or east via Countisbury towards Porlock Weir. The sections in both directions are among the most dramatic on the entire trail, with steep wooded combes and towering sea cliffs.

Two Moors Way and Coleridge Way -- Two long-distance paths also pass through Lynmouth. The Two Moors Way connects Exmoor to Dartmoor (over 100 miles), while the Coleridge Way traces 51 miles from Nether Stowey to Lynmouth, following in the footsteps of the poet.

Beaches

Lynmouth Beach -- A sheltered pebble and sand beach at the harbour mouth, flanked by dramatic cliffs. The Eastern Beach is accessible from the esplanade and is popular for rock pooling, paddling, and simply watching the waves. Swimming is possible in calm conditions.

Lee Bay -- A small secluded rocky cove approximately 3 miles west of Lynton, reached via the coast path or a short drive to Lee Abbey. Beautiful and peaceful, with rock pools at low tide.

Sandy beaches -- The nearest large sandy beaches are at Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton Sands on the North Devon coast, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour by car. All are superb for surfing and family beach days.