Lynton

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway was a beloved narrow gauge line that opened in 1898, winding for about nineteen miles through the wild landscape of North Devon's Exmoor before closing controversially in 1935. After lying dormant for decades, a dedicated preservation society bought Woody Bay station in 1995 and worked tirelessly to revive the line, eventually running their first train in 2004.

Nowadays, visitors can catch a steam train from the beautifully restored Woody Bay station—one of the highest in England—for a scenic twenty-five minute round trip to Killington Lane through Exmoor National Park. The station features exhibits on the railway's past and current restoration, as well as a shop and cafe. It is a passion project with bold plans to rebuild more of the original route, offering a lovely glimpse into a vanished era of rail.

The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is an impressive piece of Victorian engineering that connects the clifftop town of Lynton with the harbor village of Lynmouth on Devon's rugged Exmoor coast. Before the railway arrived, the only way to navigate the steep, wooded cliff between the two spots was by packhorse or donkey. Designed by George Croydon Marks and funded by Sir George Newnes, the funicular opened on Easter Monday in 1890 and has been running almost continuously ever since.

The real magic is in its water-powered system: two connected cars balance each other out, using water tanks to drive the movement. This makes it one of the greenest railways on earth and the steepest water-powered one in existence. The smooth ride offers stunning views of the harbor, the Bristol Channel, and the Exmoor countryside, making it a favorite highlight for anyone visiting the area.