Hawthorn Cottage, Barbrook

In Lynton

The Crown Hotel -- A traditional coaching inn in the heart of the village, serving hearty pub food, Sunday roasts, and good West Country ales and ciders. Dog-friendly with a lively atmosphere and occasional live music.

Restaurant Kensington -- An intimate restaurant on Castle Hill offering exceptional locally sourced food with friendly, attentive service. Booking recommended, especially in summer.

Number Ten -- A popular Italian restaurant in Lynton serving freshly made pasta, stone-baked pizzas, and burgers in a relaxed setting.

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

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

Charlie Friday's -- A vibrant cafe with character, good coffee, and light bites. Dog-friendly and popular with locals and visitors alike.

North Coast Cafe -- A relaxed cafe in Lynton serving good breakfasts, lunches, and cream teas with warm, welcoming service.

In Lynmouth (cliff railway or footpath)

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 views across the bay.

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

Esplanade Fish Bar -- A popular award-winning fish and chip shop on the Lynmouth seafront. Perfect for eating by the harbour.

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

Short Drive

The Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury -- A 13th-century inn perched above Lynmouth with low ceilings, blackened beams, and panoramic views. Hearty food, real ales, and a summer pizzeria in the garden. Approximately 1.5 miles east.

The Cottage Inn, Lynbridge -- A cosy pub just outside Lynton serving authentic Thai cuisine alongside traditional pub favourites.

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

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 Lynton to the harbour at Lynmouth, powered purely by gravity and water from the West Lyn River. The Cliff Top Cafe at the summit has spectacular coastal views. One of only three such railways left in the world.

Valley of Rocks -- A dramatic dry valley of ancient rock formations just one mile west of Lynton, formed during the last ice age. Enormous rugged tors rise from the grassy slopes, with a famous herd of feral goats scrambling across the crags. Castle Rock and the Devil's Cheesewring are the most striking formations. Free to visit and reachable on foot from Lynton in around 20 minutes via a level tarmac path.

Watersmeet -- A beautiful National Trust property where the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water meet in a deep wooded gorge. The Victorian fishing lodge houses a tea garden and shop, making it a wonderful destination after the riverside walk from Lynmouth. The surrounding ancient oak woodland is rich with mosses, ferns, and wildlife including dippers and otters.

Glen Lyn Gorge -- An exhibition and gorge walk in Lynmouth exploring the devastating 1952 flood and the village's pioneering use of hydroelectric power. The gorge itself is dramatic, with markers showing where floodwaters rose far above normal levels. Boat trips along the Exmoor heritage coastline can also be booked here.

Lynton Cinema -- A charming 68-seat independent cinema housed in a Grade II-listed former Methodist chapel, showing current releases daily. Named one of the 50 best cinemas in the UK by Time Out. Dog-friendly, with tickets at just a few pounds -- a real gem on a rainy afternoon.

Lynton and Barnstaple Railway -- A lovingly restored narrow-gauge heritage steam railway at Woody Bay Station, a few minutes' drive from Lynton. Ride in original Victorian carriages through scenic Exmoor countryside. Open from late March to early November.

Lyn and Exmoor Museum -- Housed in Lynton's oldest surviving cottage, this museum tells the story of life on Exmoor from ancient times through the 1952 flood to the present day. Currently undergoing refurbishment with plans to reopen in spring 2026.

Wider Exmoor

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

Horse riding on Exmoor -- Several riding stables offer moorland treks suitable for all abilities, with the chance to spot wild Exmoor ponies and red deer.

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

Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve -- Exmoor holds International Dark Sky Reserve status. On clear nights the stargazing from the moor above Lynton is exceptional, with the Milky Way clearly visible.

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

Walks from Lynton

Valley of Rocks -- A classic easy walk along a level clifftop path from Lynton to the spectacular Valley of Rocks (approximately 3 miles circular). The tarmac North Walk section offers stunning sea views, while the valley itself has dramatic rock formations and feral goats. Suitable for families and accessible for most abilities on the outward stretch.

Watersmeet -- A beautiful riverside walk from Lynmouth through ancient oak woodland to the National Trust tea garden at Watersmeet, where two rivers meet in a deep gorge (approximately 3.5 miles return). Several routes are available, from easy riverside paths to more challenging hillside trails. Bluebells in spring and copper beech leaves in autumn make every season rewarding.

South West Coast Path -- The famous long-distance trail passes directly through Lynton. Head west through the Valley of Rocks towards Woody Bay and Heddon's Mouth for a dramatic stretch with narrow paths and sheer drops -- described as one of the finest sections of the entire 630-mile trail. Head east over Countisbury Hill towards Foreland Point for sweeping views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

Countisbury and Foreland Point -- A rewarding circular walk climbing Countisbury Hill from Lynmouth to the Iron Age hillfort, then continuing to Foreland Point, the most northerly point of Exmoor with panoramic sea views. Approximately 5 miles, moderate difficulty.

Heddon Valley -- Walk the coast path west from Lynton through the Valley of Rocks and on to Heddon's Mouth, where the River Heddon reaches the sea through a dramatic wooded valley. The Hunters Inn provides welcome refreshment. Approximately 8 miles one way -- the Exmoor Coaster bus can bring you back in summer.

Beaches

Lee Abbey Beach (Lee Bay) -- A sheltered cove just beyond the Valley of Rocks, reached via the toll road through the Lee Abbey estate. A mixture of sand and shingle with rock pools to explore. Small car park, seasonal tea cottage, and easy access via a short ramp. Approximately 2 miles from Lynton.

Woody Bay -- A secluded pebble cove reached by a steep path, with a Victorian bathing pool revealed at low tide. Quiet and unspoilt, this is a wonderful spot for a swim on a warm day. Access on foot via the coast path or by a narrow lane.

Lynmouth Beach -- The shingle and rock beach at the foot of the cliff railway, good for rock pooling and coastal views. Easy access from the harbour.

Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton Sands -- The golden sand surf beaches of North Devon's Atlantic coast are approximately 30 to 40 minutes' drive from Lynton. Miles of sand, excellent surfing, and lifeguard patrols in summer make them perfect for a day out.