Search the Exmoor Encyclopedia Pages
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
| 
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
In the 19th century the high cliffs separating Lynton from Lynmouth were a major obstacle to economic development. At that time the twin villages mainly relied on sea transport because land travel was extremely difficult and dangerous over Exmoor. Coal, lime and foodstuffs with all other essentials arrived at Lynmouth and then had to be carried by packhorses and handcarts up the steep and tortuous hill to Lynton. In late 1885 a major project was proposed which included the construction of a solid pier, an esplanade and a ‘Lift ‘ from the said pier or promenade to Lynton. The Cliff Railway was the second part of the scheme and was eventually built by a private company named The Lynton & Lynmouth Lift Co., which was formed by Act of Parliament in 1886. The company still owns and runs the Cliff Railway to date and is the biggest full-time employer in the area.
The Lift is the last fully original Victorian water powered Lift in the world. It operates on a counter-balance system and has no source of power other than water. The brakes, buffers and balance tanks are operated by water, diverted from the Lyn Valley River some 3 miles away and is routed via the original Victorian underground culverts to reservoirs at the head of the Lift.These were mined from solid rock and have an amorphous shape because when the builders hit hard rock they went round it rather than struggle to produce a symmetrical tank. They hold some 250,000 gallons. Unlike the national railways they do not close due to flooding and leaves on the rails. The only time it cannot operate is if there is a very severe frost, when of course the water freezes in the system. The Victorians had a fool proof system for checking whether it was safe to run, which is still used today. A bucket of water is left in each carriage. If the water is frozen, the railway does not run. The Lift has run for 112 years without accident.
The railway has become the South West’s most popular working attraction. It is open daily from mid February to mid November. This is a visit you must not miss. You can experience Victorian engineering at its best and at the same time enjoy breathtaking views of the spectacular coastline as you rise from the esplanade in Lynmouth on the journey of a lifetime to the beautiful town of Lynton.
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway was designed by George Marks, soon to become Baron Marks of Woolwich, built by a local builder, Mr Bob Jones, and was officially opened on April 9th 1890. It rises from the Esplanade in Lynmouth approximately 500 feet through a gradient of 1 in 1? with a track length of 862 feet to the centre of Lynton above. The passenger cars operate on a counter balance system, using up to 700 gallons of water as ballast. A simple but obviously safe method of operation as, since its opening in 1890, the Cliff Railway has not suffered a single accident
This Railway is one of the few water powered railways in the world. The Railway opened in 1888 to link the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. It is 862 feet long with a vertical drop of 500 feet. The incline is approximately 1 in 1 3/4. Travellers can enjoy the stunning views across Lynmouth Bay and the Bristol Channel to Wales. Enjoy a snack at the Cliff Top Cafe before descending to the quaint port of Lynmouth with its harbour, shops, coastal walks, beautiful Watersmeet, children's play area and many other attractions including the Glen Lyn Gorge.
The service is continuous every day between 10am and 5pm during the running season (March 1 st to October 31st) (later closing times during high season) Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is one of the few water powered railways in the world. The Railway opened in 1888 to link the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. It is 862 feet long with a vertical drop of 500 feet. The incline is approximately 1 in 1 3/4. Travellers can enjoy the stunning views across Lynmouth Bay and the Bristol Channel to Wales. Enjoy a snack at the Cliff Top Cafe before descending to the quaint port of Lynmouth with its harbour, shops, coastal walks, beautiful Watersmeet, children's play area and many other attractions including the Glen Lyn Gorge.
Cliff Railway Lynton Lynmouth - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com
The service is continuous every day between 10am and 5pm during the running season (March 1st to October 31st) (later closing times during high season) A tramway between the two towns to be worked by a stationary engine at Lynton
The cliffs also posed problems for the growing tourist industry. From the mid 1820's holiday makers began to arrive at Lynmouth on paddle steamers from Bristol, Swansea and other Bristol Channel ports ...but a daunting hill faced those who decided to walk up to Lynton. Ponies and donkeys could be hired at 6d a time, but the steep gradients severely tested the unfortunate animals. Other tourists traveled up Lynmouth hill in carriages, but the horses that pulled them had a very short working life. It was in December 1881 that a novel solution to the problem was first given a public airing. The Lynton & Lynmouth Recorder received a letter, signed only with the non-de-plum Pro Bono Publico, proposing:
“A tramway between the two towns to be worked by a stationary engine at Lynton, the motive power being taken from the River Lyn, put in tanks on rolling carriages and these let down the tramway under proper control. The weight of the water going down would, with the application of simple machinery, bring up anything that might be desired from Lynmouth ...Lynmouth would become more important as a port for the surrounding districts, as goods could then be more easily carted inland; and visitors would find it a great benefit, for instead of climbing the hill, they could be drawn up in a comfortable carriage.”
Telephone: +44 (0) 1598 753486
Bottom Station
The Cliff Railway, The Esplanade, Lynmouth.
Top Station
Lee Road, Lynton
An unusual Cliff Railway connects Lynton and Lynmouth. Two passenger carrying "cars", connected by a cable, chug up and down the hill, each with a water tank capable of holding 700 gallons. At the top of the cliff one car's tank is filled, causing it to descend the cliff, while the car with a lighter, empty tank rises to the top. The full tank is emptied once the car reaches the bottom of the cliff, and then the process starts all over again. This "railway" has a gradient of 1 to 1 - -pretty steep. But not to fear. Since its opening in 1890 no accidents have occurred. And it's definitely the easiest way to travel between the two villages.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
A Unique Victorian water powered Lift linking Lynton with Lynmouth for foot passengers. Devon's top tourist attraction. A remarkable and unique ride, which is also very useful. Victorian water-powered lift (funicular cliff railway) with 340 metre spectacular cliff side drop. Come and experience one of the most popular attractions in the area! The Cliff Railway was established Cliff Railway in 1890 through a special Act of Parliament In the 19th century, the high cliffs separating Lynton from Lynmouth were a major obstacle to economic development. The twin villages mainly relied on sea transport because land travel was extremely difficult over Exmoor. Coal, lime, foodstuffs and other essentials arrived at Lynmouth in sailing vessels, but this freight had to be carried by packhorses or in horse drawn carts up the steep hill to Lynmouth.
The cliffs also posed problems for the growing tourist industry. From the mid 1820's holiday makers began to arrive at Lynmouth on paddle steamers from Bristol, Swansea and other Bristol Channel ports ...but a daunting hill faced those who decided to walk up to Lynton. Ponies and donkeys could be hired at 6d a time, but the steep gradients severely tested the unfortunate animals. Other tourists traveled up Lynmouth hill in carriages, but the horses that pulled them had a very short working life. It was in December 1881 that a novel solution to the problem was first given a public airing. The Lynton & Lynmouth Recorder received a letter, signed only with the non-de-plum Pro Bono Publico, proposing:
“A tramway between the two towns to be worked by a stationary engine at Lynton, the motive power being taken from the River Lyn, put in tanks on rolling carriages and these let down the tramway under proper control. The weight of the water going down would, with the application of simple machinery, bring up anything that might be desired from Lynmouth ...Lynmouth would become more important as a port for the surrounding districts, as goods could then be more easily carted inland; and visitors would find it a great benefit, for instead of climbing the hill, they could be drawn up in a comfortable carriage.”
Lynton Lynmouth Cliff Railway - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com
The author of this imaginative proposal is not known. Possibly the idea came from a local man who had been to Wales and had seen water-balanced systems lifting slate out of deep mines. Alternatively, it may have come from a holiday-maker who had visited Scarborough which had operated a cliff railway on the water-balanced principle since 1876. The letter offered a solution to the problems of transporting both freight and people up and down the cliff, but such a scheme would require a large capital investment, so for some years it remained nothing more than a talking point.
For more information Log on to www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone 01598 753908/753486
Address: The Cliff Railway, The Esplanade, Lynmouth, North Devon EX35 6EQ.
The official site of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Company & Trust, which aims to reconstruct as much as possible of this once famous narrow gauge railway' The award winning Cliff Top Cafe is situated right at the top of the Lynton Cliff Railway, and boasts unrivalled views of Exmoor and the coast. All the food is home-made and freshly prepared on the premises using local produce wherever possible. From coffee and teacake up to a full three course meal with wine, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. The specials boards always has a selection of traditional meals with vegetarian and low-fat healthy options too. The Cafe is family, disabled and dog friendly with plenty of outside seating to enjoy the good weather. It's best to book a table for Sunday Roast, the monthly Supper Quiz or a family lunch as inside tables are limited and the Cafe is increasingly popular — try it yourself and you'll see why!
Contributed by: Freda Jones, Jeremy Bidlake
