July 26, 2010
Take In The English Seaside In Lynmouth - Devon
Lynmouth in Devon is a quaint little fishing town that sits perched at the base of a steep cliff overlooking the ocean on the north coast of England. Hotels in town offer spectacular views of the sea and on a clear day you can see the Welsh shoreline all the way across the harbor. It has been called the Little Switzerland of England.
The surrounding moorland is sprinkled with thick yellow gorse and purple heather offering refuge to herds of the wild mountain goats and red deer that inhabit the region.
The Southwest Coast Path makes it possible to hike from Combe Martin eastward to Minehead through beautiful portions of Exmoor National Park. Journey west to find The Valley of the Rocks with its unique formations of shale and sandstone creating natural sculptures that have been given memorable and descriptive names like Devil's Cheswring and Ragged Jack.
The Victorian village is located at the confluence of the East and West Lyn rivers and was devastated by a flash flood in 1952 that destroyed much of the village and claimed the lives of 34 people.
Five hundred feet up and situated atop the cliff is Lynton, the sister village to Lynmouth. An innovative water powered funicular railway has been providing transportation between the two towns since 1890. Two passenger trains that fit 40 people each are attached to each other by a cable with one car on top and one on the bottom. Both are equipped with water tanks that have a 700 gallon capacity. When the top tank is filled with water, that car will descend while the other rises. The tank in the bottom car is then emptied and the process begins all over again. This is a much less involved route than the twisting road that clings to the cliff side.
The Lyn and Exmoor Museum is housed in a 16th century stone structure named St. Vincent's Cottage. In addition to exhibits containing local artifacts and maritime relics, there is a collection of Victorian toys kept in a room in the attic that is believed to be haunted.
Lodging is available at a variety of lovely guest houses, many of them decked out in 15th century decor. A maze of narrow alleyways lead to gift shops, cafes, tea houses and pubs.
Many literary geniuses have found themselves inspired by the gorgeous English landscape here. The poet Shelly was just one of them. Wordsworth and Coleridge also spent time in this area of the world.
Lynmouth is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or as a temporary escape from hectic city life.
Filed under Whale Watching Tours by jenny