Escape To Lynmouth
The People's Friend|November 05, 2022
Richard Webber experiences the highs and lows of this beautiful seaside town in North Devon.
Escape To Lynmouth

THE tiny, picturesque village of Lynmouth, which hugs the rugged North Devon coast, is peaceful now.

Holidaymakers amble along the streets, a handful of boats ride the gentle waves in the harbour and sounds of laughter fill the air.

The rivers, glistening in the midday sun, are at peace as they wind their way through the village and out to sea.

The local tourist guide ushered me up the steep stone steps to the Memorial Hall, the site of the former lifeboat station and now home to a permanent flood disaster exhibition.

Seventy years ago, enough water to supply the area's needs for more than a century crashed down from the hills of Exmoor during one fateful night.

"If you were standing here seventy years ago, you'd be under sixty feet of water and rubble," a local guide told me, pointing to where the Lyndale Hotel once stood.

A quarter of Lynmouth's buildings were swept away by the flood and the village's rebuilding took six years.

Thankfully, though, not everything was lost to the forces of nature.

Strolling down the main street, it's easy to see why Lynmouth is dubbed "Little Switzerland".

This is thanks to the Victorian buildings, many adorned with Swiss-style balconies, nestled against the steep wooded hillside.

The nickname originates, apparently, from poet Robert Southey, who, on visiting in 1799, stated there was something distinctly Alpine in the village's appearance.

It's certainly all hills around here - and I'm talking one in fours - so to reach the small town of Lynton, sitting directly above Lynmouth, I jumped aboard the water-powered funicular railway.

Running on 862 feet of track, the Cliff Railway opened in 1890 to help transport not only freight between Lynmouth and Lynton, but tourists who flocked here on paddle steamers.

Before the railway was built, the cliffs posed many logistical problems.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 05, 2022-Ausgabe von The People's Friend.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 05, 2022-Ausgabe von The People's Friend.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE PEOPLE'S FRIENDAlle anzeigen
It captured everyone's imagination
The People's Friend

It captured everyone's imagination

A letter penned in 1897 by a Sunderland choirboy has inspired an origami quilt of memories. Bill Gibb finds out more.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
The UK has amazing marine life
The People's Friend

The UK has amazing marine life

Bill Gibb looks at the work of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue as they celebrate their 35th year.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
It's About Time
The People's Friend

It's About Time

Retirement was supposed to be a fresh start for Caroline, if only she could get a moment's peace!

time-read
7 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
A Breath Of Country Air
The People's Friend

A Breath Of Country Air

Renowned nature writer Polly Pullar takes a lighthearted look at rural life.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
A Test Of Courage
The People's Friend

A Test Of Courage

Yasmin’s dad needed her but could she reveal her secret project?

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
We Work Together
The People's Friend

We Work Together

Office life just wouldn’t be the same without Ethan...

time-read
7 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
The Art Of Laughter
The People's Friend

The Art Of Laughter

Gillian Thornton visits Hampshire to enjoy the artistic talents of cartoonist Norman Thelwell in his centenary year.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
Life After Linda
The People's Friend

Life After Linda

It was just Dan and his father now and they needed time to adjust...

time-read
7 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
ES! There in the corner are the speakers
The People's Friend

ES! There in the corner are the speakers

In her weekly column, Maddie Grigg shares tales from her life in rural Dorset...

time-read
2 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023
Lovely Glen Lochay
The People's Friend

Lovely Glen Lochay

Willie Shand braves the cold temperatures to enjoy a Stroll near Killin in Perthshire.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
February 25, 2023