Lynmouth Beach
Where Exmoor Meets the Sea

England's Little Switzerland

Lynmouth has been called "England's Little Switzerland" since the Romantic era — the combination of wooded gorges, cascading rivers and towering sea cliffs drew painters and poets in droves. Shelley famously wrote here, drawn by the wild scenery. The village is tiny but perfectly formed, with fishing boats in the harbour, a thatched pub on the quayside, and the famous Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway connecting it to the hilltop town of Lynton above. The beach is shingle with some pockets of sand at low tide, sheltered from the west by the harbour wall. Water quality in the Bristol Channel here is generally good, and the village character is unmatched on the North Devon coast.

After the terrible flood of August 1952 which destroyed much of the village and claimed 34 lives, Lynmouth was carefully and sensitively rebuilt. It retains extraordinary character — the narrow lanes, the stone cottages and the harbour feel entirely authentic. The twin Lyn rivers, rushing green and clear through the wooded gorge in summer, are a constant reminder of the landscape's power. It is one of Devon's most special places, and the beach — though not the finest for sunbathing — is a magnificent place to stand and take in the scale of the coast.

Facilities

When to Visit

Walks from Lynmouth

Lynmouth is one of the finest walking bases on the Exmoor coast, with a cluster of spectacular routes accessible directly from the village on foot. Key walks include:

• Valley of Rocks — 3 miles west along the cliff path, passing dramatic rock formations and the wild goats that roam freely across the crags. One of the finest short coastal walks in southern England.
• Watersmeet — 2 miles up the East Lyn gorge on a National Trust path through ancient sessile oakwood, arriving at a Victorian fishing lodge now used as a tea room in a deeply wooded ravine. An extraordinary place.
• Foreland Point — 3 miles east along the coast path to Exmoor's northernmost point, the most northerly headland in Devon, with views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales on clear days.

All three of these walks are accessible directly on foot from Lynmouth village, requiring no car. Combined, they make Lynmouth one of the best bases for a walking weekend in Devon.

Dogs at Lynmouth

Dogs are welcome on Lynmouth Beach and throughout the village year-round, with no seasonal restrictions in place. The beach and harbour area are both dog-friendly, and the Exmoor coast paths radiating out from Lynmouth are excellent for dogs of all sizes — firm ground, varied terrain and extraordinary scenery in every direction.

Keep dogs on leads near the Lyn river banks when water levels are high. After heavy rain on Exmoor, the East and West Lyn can rise rapidly and the current through the gorge can become fierce. The rivers are safe and beautiful in normal summer conditions but demand respect after wet weather. The village pubs are generally welcoming to well-behaved dogs.

Getting There

Lynmouth is on the A39 in North Devon, approximately 14 miles east of Barnstaple. The road descends steeply into the village via a notorious 1-in-4 gradient hill — caravans, motorhomes and long vehicles cannot access Lynmouth via this route and must follow the diversion signs carefully. This is strictly enforced and there are clear warning signs on approach.

Park in Lynmouth car park (EX35 6EH) or in Lynton above and take the cliff railway down into the village. The X39/X9 bus service between Barnstaple and Minehead stops in Lynmouth, making it accessible without a car along the coast road. In summer, the narrow roads into the village can become very busy — public transport or an early arrival is strongly recommended.