Lynmouth Things to Do Tips by johngayton

...........well around the bay anyway!

I haven't actually been out on this yet but for a different viewpoint of the North Devon coast a trip up the Bristol Channel sounds like a good idea. The boat leaves Lynmouth harbour once a day at various times depending on the local tides and loops around the channel with commentary provided by the local skipper.

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Address: Lynmouth Harbour
Directions: No contact details at moment but a walk down to the harbour should provide all the info needed.

The wild goats of Lynton and Lynmouth have a history going back as long as history has been recorded but in 1853 according to The Friends of the Lynton Goats the goats were deemed a nuisance to the local sheep and were removed from the area (they don't actually say how they were removed, but one can guess). An attempt in 1897 to reintroduce the goats failed after a couple of generations due to the breed being one of the domesticated varieties, and by the 1960's the goats were no more.

In 1976 a further attempt was made but this time with a hardier breed from the Cheviot Hills and the offspring off these have now formed a viable population in the area. Although originally introduced to the Valley of Rocks the goats now roam freely around the area and can quite often be seen down at the bottom here at Lynmouth.

The pics were taken from the car park beside the harbour.

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Phone: 01598 753493
Address: Pretty much wherever.
Directions: Website and phone number below are for The Friends of the Lynton Goats: (obviously the goats are a bit like me at present - no phone and no internet connection!!)
Website: www.lyntongoats.org.uk

After the rebuilding of the village following the 1952 flooding the Memorial Hall was built to commemorate the disaster and houses a macabrely interesting collection of photographs, newspaper reproductions and miscellany.

Also on display is an amazingly detailed scale model of the village as it was before the flood by a guy called Tim Prosser, who having retired as an engineer, came to Lynton in 1996. He is also the author of a book (which I haven't actually read as yet), "The Lynmouth Flood Disaster".

Admission to the hall is free, though any donations are gratefully received.

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Address: Lynmouth St
Directions: Between The Bath Hotel and The Rising Sun

Site is for the BBC page on the disaster.
Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/16/newsid_2960000/2960180.stm

One of Lynmouth's little features is that it has one of the highest tidal variations in the country with an average tidal range getting towards 10 metres. In early September/October the high tides can be over 10 metres and locals mention 13.2 metres as the highest ever. Even at over 10 metres the way the harbour fills and the river backlogs is quite impressive bringing locals and visitors alike to just come and watch the tide coming in. Sounds a strange thing to do but is really quite fascinating.

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Directions: Down by the harbour.
Website: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/ShowPrediction.aspx?PortID=0534&PredictionLength=7

Lynmouth is an ideal base for walking the North Devon part of the South Coast path but also offers the option of more gentle inland walking opportunities such as following the River Lyn up to where it meets the Hoaroak at Watersmeet and the NT teashop at the cleft. This about 2 miles out from the village and is gently undulating as it follows the rivers upwards course towards Exmoor proper with a bowl of soup or pasty (or both - but NO BEER!(; as the just rewards. For those more strenuously inclined, and I definitely mean INCLINED, miss out Watersmeet and go up Countisbury Hill to The Sandpiper where there is beer!

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Directions: Follow the river past the west carpark and the signposts will do the rest.
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-watersmeethouse/

A little fascinating thing about Lynmouth is that long before we started to realise that our complacency regarding energy usage is effectively destroying our planet and in the meantime rapidly using up the finite resources that have taken millions of years to mature and become useable, here's little Lynmouth trailblazing well over a hundred years ago with its water-powered cliff railway, with its own hydroelectric plant, its forestation being sustainably harvested.

The Glen Lyn Gorge here is the UK's largest independent electricity producer using nothing but the power of water, diverted from the West Lyn,to drive the 300Kw Pilton Wheel turbine and provide all the energy needs for the whole village with some to spare. This really is well worth the visit and the walk up to the ravine and the hydroelectric intake takes you through the stunningly beautiful river course with its waterfalls and woodland canopy. OK it costs 4 quid to get in but if you take a packed lunch or picnic there are ample seated areas to sit in the tranquility and enjoy a liesurely lunch with the local flora and fauna for company and the symphony of the river as background :)

PS The little guide map illustrated by Sarah Glynn is worth the 4 quid alone!!!

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Phone: 01598 753207
Address: The Glen Lyn Gorge!!
Directions: At the crossroads opposite the coach car park.
Website: www.theglenlyngorge.co.uk