Walk through Watersmeet Gorge Choose one of these great walks to see the best of the Watersmeet and enjoy its raging rivers and woodland. Walk One 'Little Switzerland' is one of the most beautiful places Explore and discover the 1 Start at the Cliff Railway inLynmouth and walk along the in the Exmoor National Park: the quaint Esplanade to the A39 road, withLyndale Bridge on your left. magical Watersmeet Gorge harbour village of Lynmouth, and 2 Cross the road, walk through the Car Park with the river on Lynton perched on the cliffs above. your left. Walk past the white footbridge on your left. On It’s the perfect base to discover, your right are some high-walled cottages which housed explore and enjoy all that is employees of the formerHydro-Electric Power Station. the Exmoor National Park. 3 Continue and crossWoodside Bridge, turn right and follow the river upstream. At the fork,keep right close to the river. Wonder at England’s highest sea cliffs rising 4 Cross the next wooden bridge toLynrock . over 800ft (245m) or 5 Keep walking with theriver on your left, past Myrtleberry walk one of the country’s House to the large stone-facedChiselcombe Bridge. deepest river gorges. 6 Keep walking past the bridge toWatersmeet , cross the two This part of the Heritage bridges to reachWatersmeet House. Alternatively, before Coast has the second crossing the second bridge you can detour along the riverside highest tidal range in the path to theLimekilns , approx. 400 yds. world and longest stretch of 7 To return toLynmouth , you can follow the same path you wooded coastline in the arrived on, or follow the path with the river onyour left British Isles. throughArnolds Linhay. This path joins the same riverside path you started on, keep going until youLynmouth . Walk Two A Follow the instructions forWalk One until you reach The Exmoor National Park is home Watersmeet House. Walk back across the two bridges to a variety of wildlife both great towards and ascent to theWatersmeet Car Park. and small. The unique landscape B Cross the road and take the path up through the trees, of Exmoor provides a truly special toMyrtleberry Camp. habitat for the rarest of flora and fauna. C The path continues zig-zagging up the hillside, up some steep steps to the path alongMyrtleberry Cleave. Withthe The best way to experience this Myrtleberry Campbehind you, turn right towards Lynmouth. unique environment is on foot or D The path will fork, the left will take you toLynbridge , by Exmoor safari. take the right fork toLynmouth. Cardiff E Follow the path and zig-zagdown through the woodland as you descend toLynmouth . You will walk through the old London cottages of Lynmouth to the main road nearLyndale Bridge. Lynton & Bristol Lynmouth Somerset Devon Exeter Dorset Cornwall Visit our website and start planning your visit FIND THE PERFECT WALK. to England's 'Little Switzerland' www.lyntonwalks.co.uk www.visitlyntonandlynmouth.com www.visitlyntonandlynmouth.com Introducing Watersmeet A magical The East Lyn River is fed by moorland streams and is joined by elven haven the Hoaroak at Watersmeet. From there to the sea at Lynmouth bursting it has cut one of the deepest gorges in Britain. The valley has with wildlife been re-cut as a result of falling sea levels and coast erosion along the during the Ice Age. raging East Much of the gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Lyn River Its sides are cloaked with ancient Sessile Oak woodland, containing rare varieties of Whitebeam trees. It is the main site in Britain for Irish Spurge. Many birds can be seen near the river, notably grey and yellow wagtails, dippers and herons. Watersmeet House In the 19th Century much of this area belonged to the Halliday family as part of the Glenthorne Estate, which included most of the parish of Countisbury. 1 The house was built as a fishing lodge by the Myrtleberry Camp Rev. W.S. Halliday ion 1832. The house is now a National Trust cafe An Iron Age fortification occupying a natural defensive and gift shop. position on a spur on the valley side. There is another 2 higher up the spur and another Chiselcombe Bridge across the valley. The present bridge was built in 1957 to replace two bridges that Glen were destroyed in the flood. MAP SYMBOLS Lyn The new bridge was built a Gorge Cafe/Tea Room 3 lot higher than the original Steep Gradient E to avoid further floods. View Point Woodside Watersmeet Dog Bin Bridge Limekilns Arnolds Linhay Hydro-Electric D 7 Myrtleberry Power Station Camp 5 The original hydro- Lynrock 7 B Paths to Rockford & electric power station 4 Brendon on this site was one of the first in Britain. 6 It supplied Lynton & C A Lynmouth from 1890 Limekilns until its destruction Lynrock Bridge C in the 1952 flood. This is the site of the Lynrock Mineral A smaller power Water factory. It's marked by a wooden station now operates plaque and an old bottle by the spring. in theGlen Lyn Gorge The factory washed away in the 1952 flood..