Lynton and Barnstaple Railway - Chandlers Ford Community Website

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway is the South West's newest heritage railway. The original railway ran for 19 miles from Barnstaple to Lynton and was closed in 1935.

In 2004 a short length of the old line was rebuilt and reopened from Woody Bay Station near Parracombe. In 2007 the railway gained Visit Britain’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assured accreditation, and is now operating over a mile of the original route of the line.

Woody Bay Station is conveniently situated on the A39 between Blackmoor Gate and Lynton. The station once marked the highest point on the former Southern Railway network, and remains amongst the highest adhesion-worked railways in Britain, offering fantastic views out across the Exmoor Countryside towards the coast and Heddon’s Mouth.

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway is a name known throughout the world in railway circles, having gained legendary status. The original railway was built to incredibly high standards, and although built to a narrow (2ft) gauge there were no corners cut in terms of quality.

The railway today is also being rebuilt to those same high standards. The current ride for visitors is a 2 mile round trip, including a brief stop at the far end. This forms the first step as part of a wider project to ultimately rebuild the whole line.

Other nearby attractions include the twin towns of Lynton & Lynmouth with its Cliff Railway, Hunters Inn and the Heddon Valley, Arlington Court, Exmoor Zoo, and of course the Exmoor National Park itself! The family seaside resorts of Woolacombe and Croyde are also only around half an hour’s drive from the railway.

Trains operate almost all year round, with rides available most days of the week during the summer season. A round trip takes approximately half an hour, and there is also a well-stocked shop and tearooms to be found at Woody Bay Station.

The railway makes a fantastic all weather attraction and has something of interest for visitors of all ages.

Lynton and Barnstaple Railway - Heritage Railways - Life and Style - Chandlers Ford Community Website - Hampshire - England - UK