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wesleytyler.com
Hartland Hartland village is a pleasant place, about 3 miles inland from Hartland Point, a dramatic sea cliff with equally dramatic views.
Hartland Quay, the old port, where the harbour has long since been destroyed by the sea, is on the sea a mile west off Stoke. Little is left of the port, but again the views are worth the visit
. Lynmouth Lynmouth is the one at the bottom of the hill. A cliff railway runs up to Lynton. Lynmouth is still a traditional fishing village, with a promenade along the East Lyn River, and a little harbour to shelter fishing boats.
The village was badly ravaged by a flash flood in 1952. 32 people were killed as water, mud and rock, washed off Exmoor by heavy rain, smashed its way through the village, flattening houses
The cliff railway, constructed in 1890, climbs a slope of 1 in 2, and operates by two counterbalanced cars. The top car takes on water to sink it to the bottom and at the same time lift the lower car. When it reaches Lynmouth, the water is jettisoned, lightening the car for the return journey
. Lynton The one at the top of the hill. Sitting on the top of a bowl shaped cliff, Lynton grew up as a Victorian resort. It is not therefore as olde worlde as Lynmouth, but it has the advantage of magnificent views out over the cliffs
Worth excursions are The Valley of the Rocks, a mile to the West, and Watersmeet a mile inland
. Ilfracombe Ilfracombe grew in late Victorian times as the end point of steamer excursions from South Wales, and with the arrival of the railway bringing visitors from the rest of England
Today it is still popular, because its setting is very lovely. Set in the folds of the hills, with the little harbour below, and a choice of several bathing beaches. Beaches include Tunnel Beach, which has to be reached via a tunnel cut into the cliffs
. Porlock Perhaps best known for the hill leading out of the town. It is a 1 in 4 gradient, and has always presented a challenge to motor cars. The village itself is attractive, it being surrounded by the Exmoor Hills, except on the sea side. There are thatched cottages, and a narrow winding main street . Westward Ho Probably best known for the eponymous novel of !855 by Charles Kingsley. Today there are good bathing beaches and the two mile long Pebble Ridge
