"Glen Lyn Gorge - Providing Electricity since 1898!" Top 5 Page for this destination Lynmouth Things to Do Tip by johngayton

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!!!

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