Lynmouth, a seaside town nestled between steep hills and the Bristol Channel, has been crowned Devon's finest seaside destination by Which?, making it an ideal spot for an autumn getaway. Known as "Little Switzerland," it sits on the fringes of Exmoor National Park, encircled by breathtaking scenery and classic village appeal.
Walks and attractions
The region is a paradise for ramblers, with the South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail winding through the village. Tourists can trace the River Lyn upstream to Watersmeet, a wooded gorge managed by the National Trust, complete with riverside paths and a tea garden.
Among Lynmouth's standout features is the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, linking the twin villages since 1890. The 260-metre railway is the world's highest and steepest water-powered railway, offering panoramic coastal views.
Where to stay
For a romantic getaway, River View is a second-floor flat beside the river in Lynmouth. It has a furnished balcony with views over the bay, and on clear days guests might glimpse the Welsh coastline. Inside, there is an open-plan lounge and kitchen, plus a king-size master bedroom with an en-suite shower room.
Ilfracombe, less than 20 miles away, is known for its restaurants and historic harbour. Visitors can see Damien Hirst's 'Verity' statue at the harbour entrance. For more scenery, the Valley of Rocks is a 1.5-mile trip away, featuring soaring cliffs, distinctive rock formations, and some of Britain's highest sea cliffs.
Guest reviews
For larger groups, Lynhurst is a spacious property a short stroll from Lynton, with gardens, woodland, a games room with a slate pool table and dart board, and an outdoor table tennis table. It sleeps up to 20 guests.
Guests who have stayed at River View posted glowing reviews online. One said: "Lovely apartment. Perfectly situated with everything we needed. A real 'home from home'. We love Lynmouth and will be back." Another added: "A wonderful location for walkers as several spectacular river and coastal walks from the door. Great for visitors with dogs, close to the promenade for walks and meeting lots of other dogs."
A more detailed review noted: "A small but well-equipped and comfortable flat with beautiful views over the river to the sea. Good location to explore the area. Luckily found a temporary parking spot initially on Riverside Road in order to unpack, as the flat entrance is on a pedestrianised street. Parking permit was £25 for the week at the nearby Upper Lyndale car park. Tesco delivered groceries without difficulty. Walks locally and some National Trust properties made it a very enjoyable week in a lovely location."
One guest pointed out that "the two flights of steep stairs would need to be taken into consideration by anybody perhaps not a 100% fit," while another enjoyed the scenery, saying: "We had the door open all the time and could listen to the water and the wildlife, which we really enjoyed."
