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Directions
From the Car park cross the road to a footpath signposted
"Lynton & Lynmouth via Hollerday Hill". Path leads over the
hill and down to join Coast Path. Turn left and continue to
Castle Rock where the path rejoins the road.
Follow road for 150 yards then turn right
onto Coast Path, which later loops back up from cliff to rejoin
road at Toll House. Follow Toll Road to Lee Abbey retreat
centre then, as the road bends right at the end of Lee Abbey,
cross the road and go through gate to take track uphill towards
woods. A short way through the woods the path forks - take
the steeper left-hand path uphill.
The path curves sharply left and uphill (somewhat
overgrown). Go through gate at top of hill and turn right
onto cross path. After 400 yards go through gates past farm
buildings (Six Acre Farm) and continue to a small road (marked
as Bridleway). Pass through gate close to Caravan/Camp site
and turn left onto road. Continue approx 250 yards and take
right fork towards Dean and Lynton (signposted 2m) In the
tiny hamlet of Dean there is a large open tarmac area (formerly
the station car park). Continue along this road then turn
left on the A39. Follow the main road down into Barbrook,
where fork left onto the B3234 towards Lynton. A small paved
enclosure features a roadside memorial to 2 young Australians
who were killed in the 1952 disaster.
Where the B3234 forks left to Lynton take
the right fork down the steep hill towards Lynmouth. At Lynbridge
cross the West Lyn river by means of the footbridge behind
Ye Olde Cottage Inn. This takes you into the National Trust
Watersmeet estate.
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(Continued/) Turn left on path towards
Watersmeet (signposted Watersmeet via Summerhouse Hill and
Cleaves 2 ˝ m). The path zigzags up the hillside until it
reaches a viewpoint overlooking Lynmouth. You are now following
the Two Moors Way long distance footpath. were killed in the
1952 disaster.
Where the path branches right (to West Lyn)
continue straight ahead to Watersmeet. At the Summer House
Hill sign continue straight ahead (ignoring two successive
signs to Lynmouth). Go down zigzags, cross stream, then up
zigzags to The Cleaves. 'T' into another footpath then go
left through a gate towards Hillsford Bridge (Myrtlebury Cleave).
Take the left fork towards Watersmeet (not Hillsford Bridge).
You are now leaving the Two Moors Way.
Go down steps (ignoring the path to the right)
and continue straight down. Notice the mounds of Myrtle Berry
North Camp (remnants of an Iron Age site). Another path comes
in from the right. Continue down through the woods to the
road (A39). Cross the road and go down the footpath opposite
(behind the Watersmeet staff car park). The confluence of
two rivers at the foot of the hill inspied the name Watersmeet.
Cross two footbridges to the National Trust shop and café.
Linger awhile for refreshments and enjoy the scene.
Follow the path downstream on the Visitor
Centre side of the river. The main path goes uphill but there
is a small diversionary alongside the river past a small waterfall.
When the Countisbury path branches off right continue straight
ahead on the path towards Lynmouth (1 ˝ miles). Cross the
river as you approach Lynmouth then walk into town and along
the front as far as the Cliff Railway. The footpath to Lynton
and the Valley of the Rocks begins just after the Visitor
Centre and just before the entrance to the Cliff Railway.
It is a well-laid tarmac path but very steep and relentless.
It crosses the Cliff Railway several times giving you a good
chance to see the trains in action.
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