an exmoor b&b owned and managed by sue & andy north
guest house and b&b, lynton, north devon
34 lee road, lynton EX35 6BS tel: 01598 753328
Funded by Sir George Newnes and built by George Marks, the water-powered Cliff Railway has been taking people between Lynton and Lynmouth since 1890. It is said to be one of the world's most spectacular railway rides. Opening times vary. 10am to 8pm in the high season.
Formed in the Ice Age, the Valley of Rocks is just a ten minute walk from our front door. Spectacular rock formations, wonderful views, and our resident herd of wild goats! Try one of our recommended walks to get there. After dinner on a clear evening just sit and watch the sunset . .
Lynton is ideally placed to explore Exmoor National Park. Take a day or two just driving and walking around the moors. Wild moorland, spectacular cliffs, picturesque villages . . . Exford, Winsford, Withypool, Dulverton (Tarr Steps, picutred left is just outside Dulverton) all within easy reach.
Dunster is a spectacular 40-minute drive from Lynton along the Exmoor coast into Somerset. Well worth a visit for the ancient castle with fine interiors and sub-tropical gardens. We recommend a circular drive, back through the middle of Exmoor, and the picturesque village of Dulverton
Lynton's 68-seat cinema is housed in a converted Methodist hall, but once inside, has the feel of a small screen in a multiplex. Run by local volunteers, the cinema shows the latest films at reasonable admission prices . . . £4.50 adult, £4.00 senior citizens, £3.00 children. We highly recommend a visit.
North Devon has some of the finest beaches in the British Isles. We are fortunate to have some of the best beaches close at hand. Woolacombe - one of the world's top ten beaches - stretches for over three miles, and is about half an hour away by car. Saunton Sands - five miles of golden sands backed by the unique dunes of Braunton Burrows. Croyde - a picturesque Devon village fronted by another Blue Flag beach favoured by surfers. Off the beaten track you will find some beautiful bays and coves just waiting to be discovered.
The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Association aims to reconstruct this famous narrow gauge railway, closed since 1935. The first phase of the line is now open and passenger rides (sometimes steam train) are available until the end of October.
Cycling is a popular way to see some of the famous Tarka Trail - 25 miles of traffic free flat cycling along the disused railway line from Braunton to Petrockstowe. There are a number of cycle hire centres along the trail, with excellent choice of bikes and facilities. We suggest a 24-mile round trip from Fremington to the Puffing Billy at Tiverton, which takes you through the picturesque areas of Instow and Bideford. See the 'Links' page for Cycle Hire at Fremington.
North Devon has a large number of gardens which are open to the public - this is just a few. Clovelly Court Garden - a classic example of the Victorian kitchen garden. Docton Mill - 8 acres of outstanding gardens. Hartland Abbey - A spectacular house and gardens, especially in the spring which the bluebells and primroses make a glorious walk to the nearby beach. Tapeley Park - a 35 acre themed garden - home to an incredible variety of flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables. RHS Rosemoor, a garden for all seasons situated in the beautiful setting of the Torridge Valley (pictured).
The Broomhill Sculpture Gardens are just a 25-minute drive from Lynton, towards Barnstaple. There are 300 contemporary sculptures set in a woods and gardens around the Victorian house. Inside is a gallery and restaurant where lunches, bar meals and cream teas are available! Here's a few pictures:
The ancient fishing village of Clovelly is just over an hour's drive away. Park at the Visitor's Centre and stroll down the cobbled streets to the working harbour. Also worth a visit is the rugged Hartland Point, just a few minutes away. More pictures of the photogenic Clovelly on our Local Pictures page.
A good idea for a day trip is a ride on the West Somerset Railway. One end of the 20-mile line is at Minehead, which is a 30-minute drive from Southcliffe. Restored diesel and steam trains pull 1950s carriages through wonderful Exmoor and Quantock countryside, stopping at Dunster, Blue Anchor, Watchet, Doniford Halt, Williton, Stogumber, Crowcombe Heathfield and Bishops Lydeard (pictured), which is just outside Taunton. A nostalgic way to visit Dunster, walk to a pub lunch, or go shopping at Taunton.
Set in the Heddon Valley (10 minutes drive from Lynton) these beautiful gardens are open from the 1st May to 31st July, and every Sunday in February to show Hellebores and Snowdrops. Home made cream teas are also served. Visit their website at:
www.heddonhallgardens.co.uk
A great day out for walkers, photographers and birdwatchers, the trip to Lundy Island makes a memorable day out. The official website is at www.lundyisland.co.uk and we have put some information and pictures from our own visit here:
www.southcliffe.co.uk/lundyisland
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