Why the UK village dubbed ‘Little Switzerland’ should be your next staycation

The twin villages have been dubbed the UK’s ‘best kept secret’ (Picture: Getty Images)

There’s a place in North Devon where people say that ‘every corner feels like something out of a storybook’.

While the charming parish of Bosham in West Sussex might hold the title of the ‘Venice of England’, Lynton and Lynmouth, twin villages on the Exmoor Coast, have just as impressive a nickname: ‘Little Switzerland’.

Each year, tourists flock to Devon hotspots like Salcombe and the South Hams, but many miss out on the county’s most underrated escape.

Known for dramatic cliffs, deep river valleys, and picturesque streets full of independent stores, this small civil parish is a great reminder of just how magical the UK can be.

If you’ve been pining for a trip to Austria or the Alps, why not visit Lynton and Lynmouth first? As they say, it’s best to try before you buy.

It’s not just a ride, it’s a piece of living history

Cradled within Exmoor National Park, Lynton and Lynmouth lie at the foot of a gorge, where the West Lyn River and East Lyn River converge and then meet the sea.

A slice of Switzerland in the UK? (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Part of what makes this place so special is the way visitors travel between the two villages.

Unlike most rural destinations, you won’t find yourself hopping on a crowded coach or rickety local bus.

Instead, you’ll be boarding the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway – the highest and steepest fully water-powered funicular railway in the world.

Flanked by sweeping views of the magnificent landscape, guests are invited to step onto one of two interconnected passenger cars, each fitted with a 700-gallon water tank.

Built in 1888, the funicular works using gravity. The car at the top station in Lynton fills its tank with water from the West Lyn River, making it heavier than the car at the bottom.

When the brakes are released, the heavier upper car descends, simultaneously pulling the lower car up the eye-watering 862ft of steep track to Lynmouth.

It’s at these heights visitors can see just why the area got its nickname.

One visitor, @dear.britain, described the railway as a ‘Victorian Time Machine’, adding: ‘It’s not just a ride; it’s a piece of living history!’

Similarly taken with the unique transportation, @amyenvoyage shared on TikTok that Brits should feel incredibly lucky we have something like this in the UK.

‘I’ve been here so many times and I never get bored of it. The views really are something special – sweeping cliffs, the sea below and that feeling of being completely immersed in the landscape,’ she notes.

The railway is open every single day, although timings do vary depending on the season so it’s important you check on the website before your visit.

For adults, tickets cost £3.90. For kids, it’s £2.40 – although any child under four travels for free.

Dogs are also allowed onboard for an extra £1, although they must be kept on short leads at all times.

The villages have been likened to Switzerland over the years due to the alpine-style landscapes, steep wooded valleys, and rugged sea cliffs (Picture: Getty Images)

What else is there to do in Lynton and Lynmouth?

While the railway is a showstopper, there are lots of other reasons why you should add these quaint villages to your travel bucket list.

One thing to remember is note before your visit it that, while equally beautiful, Lynton and Lynmouth offer slightly different experiences.

Lynmouth is down at sea level by the harbour and in many ways encapsulates the air of a traditional coastal village, boasting ice cream stands and plenty of stops for fish and chips.

Lynton, on the other hand, is based at the top of the cliffs and has a more Victorian aesthetic. Here, you’ll find boutique shops, the town hall, independent restaurants, and of course, the arguably more spectacular views.

Offering different experiences, tourists are encouraged to spend time in both villages (Picture: Getty Images)

But, no matter which village you spend more time in, you must make a trip to Watersmeet before you leave.

Just 1.8 miles east of Lynmouth, this former fishing lodge, now National Trust property, is the perfect hideaway for anyone seeking a jam scone and a quiet retreat.

Right beside a babbling river in the heart of Devon’s ancient woodland, a cream tea here might just be enough to make all your worries drift away.

Convinced yet?

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