Lynmouth Transportation Tips by johngayton

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: In the late 1800's as tourism became the lifeblood of the two villages it was recognised that a more efficient method of transport up and down the almost 1000 feet cliff was required, than relying on donkeys and horses and carts. Following an anonymous suggestion in the local paper, outlining the idea of a water powered cliff tramway, the idea was taken up by the newspaper editor George Newnes who provided the funding and a former Isambard Kingdom Brunel engineer, George Marks, who designed it. The railway has been in continuous use ever since its completion in 1890.

The railway is powered solely by water drawn from the River Lynn with its two interconnected cars, the one at the top filling its 700 gallon water tank to provide the weight to pull up the bottom car. On reaching the top and bottom the respective roles are reversed.

This method of transportation is claimed to be the only one of its kind worlwide and apart from a slightly updated communication system between the top and bottom "stations" is totally unchanged since its inaugural journey.

At present a one-way trip is GBP 1.75 though there is a locals rate of 40p for those of us who actually use the railway to get to the top for shopping and whatever.

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Phone: 01598 753908
Website: www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk

'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The Quantock Motor Services bus 300 runs from Ilfracombe into Lynmouth and on to Minehead and vica versa with a fairly regular summer schedule. The Minehead to and from Lynmouth route is a particularly stunning journey following the coast for most of the way in an open topped double decker.

Leaving Lynmouth the bus follows the coast road up Countisbury Hill then across the northern coast of Exmoor passing through Porlock with its famous Hill: 1-in-4 gradient!and then on to Minehead with a journey time of about an hour.

Travelling on the upper deck, which has both an enclosed section and an open one, provides for superb scenery, both seaward and landward but do be aware that this bus does rattle a bit and that standing on the open upper deck is not recommended due to overhanging branches.

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Phone: 01823 251140
Website: www.quantockmotorservices.co.uk