Lynmouth Beach

Lynmouth Beach sits at the foot of Exmoor where the valleys of the East and West Lyn rivers meet the Bristol Channel, below the Victorian village of Lynmouth and directly connected by the famous cliff railway to Lynton above. The beach is shingle, straight and backed by spectacular wooded hillsides and high cliffs that give the setting a grandeur that most Devon beaches cannot match. The village is small and concentrated around the harbour and the bottom station of the cliff railway, with a good selection of pubs, cafes, a fish bar, gift shops and a small RNLI station along the short seafront. The cliff railway, water-powered and operating since 1890, is a remarkable piece of Victorian engineering and a worthwhile ride simply for the views during the ascent.

Dogs are welcome at Lynmouth year round with no restrictions, and the combination of beach access, village facilities and dramatic Exmoor walking directly from the seafront makes it one of the more complete dog-friendly destinations in North Devon. The South West Coast Path runs in both directions from Lynmouth, and the Valley of Rocks walk from Lynton above is a classic Exmoor route accessible by the cliff railway. The beach has also developed a reputation as a surf spot under certain conditions, and rock pooling at low tide is rewarding. Car parking in Lynton and Lynmouth operates on a shared ticket valid at car parks in both villages.