Winter in Lynton & Lynmouth
Winter in Lynton & Lynmouth is quiet, coastal and a little bit wild. The days are shorter, the lanes are quieter and the sea feels bigger somehow – closer, louder and more dramatic. If you’re thinking about a winter break on the Exmoor coast and wondering what there is to do once the summer crowds have gone, don’t overthink it. There’s plenty.
Here are 10 ideas for how to spend a few crisp, cosy days this winter in Lynton & Lynmouth.
Walk the Cliff Path Between Lynton & Lynmouth
Start simple: walk between the two villages the old-fashioned way.
Follow the zig-zag path through the trees, with views opening up over Lynmouth Bay as you climb. In winter, when the leaves are down, you get bigger glimpses of sea and sky and you’ll often have the path almost to yourself.
Start in Lynmouth and walk up to Lynton for a coffee and a warm-up
Or begin in Lynton and reward yourself with fish and chips by the harbour
Wear decent shoes – it can be damp and a bit slippery in places
If you don’t want to retrace your steps, you can always call a local taxi to avoid the walking up or down the hill again.
Watch the winter waves from Lynmouth harbour
When the big summer crowds have gone, Lynmouth harbour feels different. The pace drops, but the sea often has more to say.
Wander along the seafront and watch the waves hitting the harbour wall, the river meeting the tide and the clouds shifting over the bay. On big-swell days it’s dramatic; on calm days it’s all about soft light and long views up and down the coast.
Pick a spot to lean on the railings, wrap your hands around a hot drink and just watch things change – sea colour, tide line, birds, clouds. It’s one of the simplest ways to experience winter in Lynton & Lynmouth without needing any attraction to be open.
Follow the river to Watersmeet
The walk from Lynmouth to Watersmeet is a winter classic. The East Lyn River is wilder after rain, the sound of water is louder, and the bare trees show off the steep gorge sides.
From Lynmouth:
Pick up the riverside path at the top of the village.
Follow the waymarked route through the trees.
Keep going until you reach Watersmeet House, tucked where the rivers meet (if it’s open, it’s an easy place for a pause).
You’re walking through a deep, mossy valley with rushing water on your left and cliffs rising up around you. On a bright, cold day it feels like something out of a storybook; on a grey, misty day it’s moody and atmospheric in the best way.
The Tea Room may be closed for the season, so consider taking a flask and snack with you.
Explore the Valley of Rocks in winter light
Valley of Rocks looks dramatic in August. In winter it looks like somewhere dragons might reasonably live.
The rock formations feel bigger and more sculpted in low sun. The coastal path along the edge is spectacular with winter light bouncing off the sea, and the resident goats carry on as normal – clinging to ridiculous slopes and largely ignoring humans.
• Park at Valley of Rocks and wander among the rocks.
• Take the coast path towards Lynmouth for big sea views.
• Time it for late afternoon to catch the best light if the weather’s clear.
Wrap up well – that coastal wind has teeth in January.
Chase dark skies over Exmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, which basically means: if the clouds behave, you get proper, in-your-face stars.
From Lynton & Lynmouth it’s easy to head a little inland on a clear night:
• Drive up onto the moor with warm layers, a blanket, torch and hot flask.
• Turn off the lights, let your eyes adjust and look up.
• Spot the Milky Way with the naked eye when conditions are right.
Even on less-than-perfect nights, you’ll usually see more stars than you’re used to. On a really good night, it’s spectacular.
Hide from the weather at the tiny chapel cinema
When the weather really turns – sideways rain, howling wind, “absolutely not walking today” – it’s time for one of Lynton’s quirkiest spots: the little cinema in the former chapel.
It’s small, cosy and properly characterful. It shows current films and is ideal for an evening out after a day on the coast path.
Winter in Lynton & Lynmouth isn’t about forcing yourself outside every minute. Mix your days: wild in the morning, cinema and comfort in the evening.
Warm up in cosy cafés and pubs
Short winter days are made for slow food stops:
• Grab a coffee and cake while you watch the weather roll in over the bay.
• Tuck into a proper winter lunch – pies, soups, stews and local produce.
• Claim a table near a window or a fire and let an hour or two slide.
One of the underrated joys of a winter break is not rushing. Let other people sprint through their holidays; you can sit still, watch the harbour and let your shoulders drop.
Take a short, sharp coastal or moorland loop
You don’t need an epic hike every day. In winter, short loops can be perfect:
• A quick circuit around Countisbury for big sea views.
• A moorland loop towards Brendon with a pub at the end.
• A simple out-and-back section along the coast path from Lynton or Lynmouth.
Keep an eye on the weather and the time – daylight disappears faster than you think – but don’t be put off by a bit of cold. The combination of wind, sea and open moor wakes you up in the best way.
Plan a rainy-day route: flood memorial, shops and galleries
Not every winter day is photogenic. Some are just wet. That’s fine – build those days in.
• Duck into the Lynmouth Flood Memorial to learn about the 1952 flood and the story of the villages.
• Wander the independent shops in Lynton & Lynmouth.
• Look for local art, crafts, books and Exmoor-made gifts.
It’s a good way to get a feel for the area beyond the obvious viewpoints and you’re still out and about without getting absolutely soaked.
Do as little as possible (on purpose)
Finally, give yourself permission to do very little. Winter in Lynton & Lynmouth is made for slow mornings and lazy evenings.
• Sleep in, then wander out for a late breakfast.
• Read by a window with the sound of the sea in the background.
• Watch the tide, the clouds and the changing light over Exmoor’s cliffs.
You don’t have to tick off every path and viewpoint. The real win is going home feeling like your brain has actually emptied out a bit.
Planning Your Winter Trip
A few quick tips if you’re heading to Lynton & Lynmouth in winter:
If you like your coast quiet, your nights dark and your days a mix of wild walks and warm cafés, winter in Lynton & Lynmouth is exactly the right kind of escape.
To learn more about the Exmoor National Park visit the official Exmoor National Park website.
