A Valley Unlike Any Other
The Valley of Rocks is a geological curiosity — a dry valley that runs west from Lynton, parallel to the coastline, separated from the sea by a ridge of rock but clearly formed by an ancient river system long since diverted. The valley floor is open grassland; the sides rise steeply to spectacular rock formations — Ragged Jack, the Devil's Cheesewring, White Lady, and most dramatically Castle Rock at the western end — that rear up from the turf in stacked columns and weather-sculpted masses.
The valley has attracted writers and walkers for centuries. Coleridge, Hazlitt and Wordsworth all visited, drawn by the combination of coastal drama and uncanny landscape. R.D. Blackmore drew on the scenery for Lorna Doone. Today the valley is part of Exmoor National Park, free to enter, and home to a herd of feral Cheviot goats that wander the rock formations entirely at will, occasionally causing traffic chaos on the valley road when they decide to sit in it.
📍 Getting to the Valley of Rocks
From Barnstaple, take the A399 to Blackmoor Gate then the A39 toward Lynton. Lynton is perched on the clifftop above its sister village Lynmouth. Parking is available in Lynton town centre (EX35 6HJ) — the walk to the Valley of Rocks is about 1 mile west along the coast path or road. There is also limited parking in the valley itself (unsigned pull-in at the eastern end), but parking in Lynton and walking is recommended.
The Route
🗺️ Valley of Rocks Circular from Lynton (3 miles · 1.5–2 hours)
From Lynton town centre, follow the coast path west — the path is signed from the main street. Alternatively, take the road (North Walk) along the clifftop above the sea, which offers dramatic views down to Lynmouth and east along the coast. The valley opens before you after about a mile, the rock formations becoming visible on the skyline.
Enter the valley and follow the floor west toward Castle Rock at the far end. The valley road is shared with occasional vehicles — keep to the path on the southern side. Goats are everywhere: on the road, on the rock faces, on the path. They are accustomed to people and largely indifferent — give them space, don't feed them, and keep dogs under close control.
Castle Rock rises dramatically at the western end of the valley — a sheer-sided rock tower about 30 metres high. An easy scramble path reaches the base of the main face; going further requires proper climbing equipment. The view from the base looking east along the valley and north to the sea is one of the finest on the walk. Look for goats on seemingly impossible ledges.
Return east along the higher path on the north side of the valley — this is the South West Coast Path, and it runs along the ridge above the sea cliffs between the valley and the Bristol Channel. The views from here are spectacular: north across the Channel to South Wales on clear days, east back toward Lynton and the headland above Lynmouth. This section is more dramatic than the valley floor and makes the walk genuinely circular.
The coast path leads back to Lynton — follow the acorn waymarkers. The path descends slightly to the clifftop above Lynmouth before returning to the town. Complete the circuit in about 3 miles total.
🐐 The Goats — What to Know
The feral Cheviot goats of the Valley of Rocks are a genuinely wild, free-roaming herd — there are typically 30–50 animals. They are not tame, but they are completely habituated to human presence. Do not feed them (they can be pushy if they think food is forthcoming), keep dogs on leads when near the herd, and be aware that kid (young goats) are born in spring — mothers with young can be more defensive than usual in April and May.
Lynton & Lynmouth — What Else to Do
Lynton and Lynmouth sit above and below the cliffs connected by the extraordinary Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway — a water-powered funicular opened in 1890, still fully operational and one of the engineering curiosities of the Victorian age. The journey takes about 90 seconds and saves a steep 150-metre climb. Worth doing for the engineering spectacle alone.
Lynmouth
The lower village sits at the confluence of the East and West Lyn rivers as they meet the sea — a pretty harbour village that was almost entirely rebuilt after the catastrophic flood of 1952, when a cloudburst on Exmoor sent a wall of water down the Lyn valley, destroying the village and killing 34 people. The rebuilt village is charming, with good seafood restaurants and the small harbour still used by fishing boats.
The Exmoor Coast Path
The Valley of Rocks connects to some of the finest walking on the entire SWCP — extending west toward Heddon's Mouth and Great Hangman, or east toward Countisbury and the Somerset border. The Exmoor coast path is among the most dramatic and remote on the whole 630-mile route, with enormous cliffs, deep combes and very few facilities between villages.
Heddon's Mouth
Continue west from Castle Rock along the coast path to Heddon's Mouth — a dramatic combe with a small beach and excellent seabird watching. 4 miles return from the Valley of Rocks.
Countisbury Hill
Walk east from Lynton along the coast to Countisbury — the highest point on the North Devon coast path — with extraordinary views across the Bristol Channel. About 3 miles each way.
Cliff Railway
Take the Victorian water-powered funicular between Lynton and Lynmouth — a genuine engineering marvel, fully operational since 1890 and worth every penny of the fare.
Dogs at Valley of Rocks
Dogs are welcome in the Valley of Rocks but should be kept under close control at all times. The feral goat herd is the main consideration — dogs can disturb the herd significantly, and goats with kids in spring will defend themselves. Keep dogs on leads when goats are nearby. The coast path return route (upper path) is generally goat-free and dogs can be off lead here if they have good recall.
Family Notes
This is an excellent family walk — short enough for young children, with the drama of the rock formations and the guaranteed goat encounters providing constant entertainment. The valley floor is wide and grassy, safe for children to explore. Castle Rock at the far end provides some mild scrambling for older children. The Lynton to Lynmouth cliff railway makes a perfect exclamation mark to the day.
- Toilets and cafés in Lynton town centre
- The Lee Valley hotel above the valley has a good café with views
- No facilities in the valley itself — bring snacks
- The cliff railway costs a small fare — check current prices on site