View source for Lynton

{{Short description|Town in Devon, England}}
{{other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
|static_image_name=Lynton view.jpg
|static_image_caption= Lynton from Southcliff Hill
|coordinates = {{coord|51.229|-3.837|type:city_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|country = England
|official_name= Lynton
|population= 1,157
|population_ref= ([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])
|civil_parish = [[Lynton and Lynmouth]]
|shire_county = [[Devon]]
|shire_district= [[North Devon]]
|region= South West England
|os_grid_reference = SS718495
|dial_code= 01598
|post_town= Lynton
|postcode_area= EX
|postcode_district= EX35
|constituency_westminster= [[North Devon (UK Parliament constituency)|North Devon]]
}}
'''Lynton''' is a [[town]] on the [[Exmoor]] coast in the [[North Devon]] district in the county of [[Devon]], England, approximately {{convert|17|mi|km}} north-east of [[Barnstaple]] and {{convert|18|mi|km}} west of [[Minehead]], and close to the confluence of the [[West Lyn River|West Lyn]] and [[East Lyn River|East Lyn]] rivers.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Lynton sits directly above the neighbouring village of [[Lynmouth]]; the two settlements are separated by a steep gorge.

==Governance==
Lynton is part of the Lynton and Lynmouth [[electoral ward]] whose total ward population at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] was 1,647.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lynton-and-lynmouth-e05003552#sthash.1PeQi7Mi.dpbs |title=Lynton & Lynmouth ward 2011 |access-date=21 February 2015 |website=UKCensusData.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913202926/http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lynton-and-lynmouth-e05003552 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The two communities are governed at local level by Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council.

==Location and geography==
The two settlements are connected by the [[Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway]].

The [[South West Coast Path]] and [[Tarka Trail]] pass through, and the [[Two Moors Way]] runs from [[Ivybridge]] in [[South Devon]] to [[Lynmouth]]. The [[Samaritans Way South West]] runs from [[Bristol]] to Lynton and the [[Coleridge Way]] from [[Nether Stowey]] to Lynmouth.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

The [[Valley of Rocks]] and [[Wringcliff Bay]] are {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} to the west.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

==History and buildings==
[[File:Lynton Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 797343.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.27|[[Lynton Town Hall]]]]
[[File:The Lyn and Exmoor Museum, Lynton - geograph.org.uk - 938428.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.27|The [[Lyn and Exmoor Museum]]]]

Evidence of [[Iron Age]] activity can be found at the nearby [[Roborough Castle]].{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

Lynton's Parish Church of St Mary, stands overlooking the sea, surrounded by shops and hotels. The tower is mainly 13th century but the church itself has been enlarged and altered &mdash; most notably in 1741 and in late Victorian/early Edwardian times.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1282837  |desc=Church of St Mary the Virgin, Lynton and Lynmouth |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913204905/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1282837 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Many of the town's buildings were constructed in the latter part of the 19th century and the early 20th century. [[Lynton Town Hall]] was given to the town by [[George Newnes|Sir George Newnes, Bart.]], a major benefactor of the town; it was opened on 15 August 1900.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1206608 |desc=Town Hall, Lynton and Lynmouth |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913203628/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1206608 |url-status=live}}</ref>  He also gave the town the United Reformed Church building (originally a Congregational church) on Lee Road.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1280138 |desc=United Reformed Church, Lynton and Lynmouth | access-date=13 September 2020| archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913205552/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1280138 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Twinning==
Lynton and Lynmouth are jointly twinned with [[Bénouville, Calvados|Bénouville]] in France.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://owba.westbuckland.com/news/obituaries/402/402-John-Pedder-44-52-B |access-date=13 September 2020 |title=John Pedder (44-52 B) |type=obituary |publisher=Old West Buckland Association |date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913201038/https://owba.westbuckland.com/news/obituaries/402/402-John-Pedder-44-52-B |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[Lynton and Lynmouth railway station|Lynton]] was once the terminus for the narrow-gauge [[Lynton and Barnstaple Railway|Lynton & Barnstaple Railway]], which served both towns.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

{{As of|2020|September}}, Lynton is served by the following bus services:
*309/310 Lynton & Lynmouth - Barnstaple (Filers Travel)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filers.co.uk/bus.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913195110/http://www.filers.co.uk/bus.htm |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |title=Bus Services |publisher=Filers Travel |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[File:Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket.jpg |thumb|right|Lynton & Lynmouth Cricket Club]]
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cricket Club, founded in August 1876, meet at the [[Valley of Rocks]].

==Notable people==
*[[Leslie McLean]] (1918–1987), cricketer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leslie McLean |url=https://www.wisden.com/players/leslie-mclean-42457 |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=[[Wisden]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lynton}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Lynton and Lynmouth}}
*[https://www.lyntonandlynmouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/ Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council]

{{Devon}}
{{Settlements in North Devon}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Exmoor]]
[[Category:Towns in Devon]]
[[Category:Lynton and Lynmouth]]