Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway

Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway Devon  - The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is a water ballast railway ballast, which joins the neighbouring towns of Lynton and Lynmouth on the north coast of Devon. The high cliff that separates the two neighbouring towns, was a major impediment to economic development in the 19th Century. Because of the remoteness of the area and difficult terrain, coal, lime, food and other essential goods usually delivered by sea and then had to be carried on pack horses and carts up the steep hill to Lynton. The cliff was also a problem for the emerging tourism. Since about 1820 tourists came from Bristol, Swansea and other ports on the Bristol Channel via paddle steamers to Lynmouth. There were ponies, donkeys and carts available, but due to the steep paths, the animals had only a short working life. The first proposals for a funicular railway to transport people and goods were made in 1881, though the plan was to power it with steam, George Croydon Marks came up with the design for a water powered funicular railway. The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is a major attraction for the North Devon area and attracts visitors from all around, so if you are staying in towns and villages such as Parracombe, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Simonsbath, Woody Bay, Dulverton, Porlock, South Molton, Culbone, or Combe Martin in Devon, you could easily head along to Lynton or Lynmouth and try out this unique railway system. You could of course visit the Exmoor National Park while you are in the area.