21 Mile Drive
21 Mile Drive
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RichardUpshall
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1,634 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
What an experience! Loved this road and the sights along the way. Make sure you have a functional vehicle that is not too wide if you take the horse trail like roads hugging the cliff tops. Amazing nature, views and coastline. You can do it in a few hours if you just do the sight seeing spots as we did . Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth it!
Written June 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave from South England
Chichester, UK64 contributions
Aug 2022
First of all, the web page to find the information is on the website linked from this page but you need to add the following onto the end: /visit/21-mile-drive/
You can also find custom made Google maps for the route. Unfortunately, TripAdvisor doesn't allow you to link to them.
A few things to be prepared for before setting off:
( 1 ) Check your brakes, the route is very demanding on vehicle brakes!
( 2 ) To get the most out of this, it is a big day - be prepared to spend 9 hours doing this properly!
( 3 ) Make a plan before you go about what you want to do along the route. There is so much to see and do and it all takes some time.
We started at the town hall in Lynton and made our way to Valley of the Rocks, reaching there at about 10am. There's a small cafe available but no toilets. We had 4 coffees, a tea, 3 pieces of cake and a bag of crisps and it cost over £30! Be prepared to spend if you stop here. We walked up the big rock to the west which was awesome, highly recommend spending some time walking around here.
We then moved on to Lee Bay and Woody Bay intending to stop but already realising we were tight on time! The drive is incredible along the narrow mountain edge roads but there is little to see here due to the foliage.
We stopped off at the Hunter's Inn in Heddon Valley. A coffee at the National Trust, there are toilets and a walk north along the river to the Heddon mouth (great maps provided by National Trust). Well worth the walk and it will take you between 1.5 hours to 2 hours, just because of the photos and taking in the incredible scenery. Well worth the walk, it is quite hilly but not terrible.
We continued anti-clockwise intending to stop at the Lynton and Barnstable Railway but we were already running out of time! We drove on to Watersmeet where we spent several hours. There's a lovely cafe serving hot drinks and toilets. Plus lots of walking. Our brave 10 year old wanted to go paddling so we spent some time here enjoying the river. We also took a picnic but didn't end up taking it because the trek down from the road side parking to the river is quite a way to traipse with bags of food.
We also wanted to go to Lynton and Lynmouth itself and it was already nearly 4pm. By the time we got to the town, most things were closed and we just managed to catch the cliff railway. About £15 for 4 adults and a child for up and down again. It was lovely taking a walk around and most bars we looked into were also dog friendly too.
Because we wanted to get to Lynton and Lynmouth we skipped the east most part of the journey. But as I mentioned, we took around 7 hours to do about half of it!
So plan your trip and you may need to do it in two days!
You can also find custom made Google maps for the route. Unfortunately, TripAdvisor doesn't allow you to link to them.
A few things to be prepared for before setting off:
( 1 ) Check your brakes, the route is very demanding on vehicle brakes!
( 2 ) To get the most out of this, it is a big day - be prepared to spend 9 hours doing this properly!
( 3 ) Make a plan before you go about what you want to do along the route. There is so much to see and do and it all takes some time.
We started at the town hall in Lynton and made our way to Valley of the Rocks, reaching there at about 10am. There's a small cafe available but no toilets. We had 4 coffees, a tea, 3 pieces of cake and a bag of crisps and it cost over £30! Be prepared to spend if you stop here. We walked up the big rock to the west which was awesome, highly recommend spending some time walking around here.
We then moved on to Lee Bay and Woody Bay intending to stop but already realising we were tight on time! The drive is incredible along the narrow mountain edge roads but there is little to see here due to the foliage.
We stopped off at the Hunter's Inn in Heddon Valley. A coffee at the National Trust, there are toilets and a walk north along the river to the Heddon mouth (great maps provided by National Trust). Well worth the walk and it will take you between 1.5 hours to 2 hours, just because of the photos and taking in the incredible scenery. Well worth the walk, it is quite hilly but not terrible.
We continued anti-clockwise intending to stop at the Lynton and Barnstable Railway but we were already running out of time! We drove on to Watersmeet where we spent several hours. There's a lovely cafe serving hot drinks and toilets. Plus lots of walking. Our brave 10 year old wanted to go paddling so we spent some time here enjoying the river. We also took a picnic but didn't end up taking it because the trek down from the road side parking to the river is quite a way to traipse with bags of food.
We also wanted to go to Lynton and Lynmouth itself and it was already nearly 4pm. By the time we got to the town, most things were closed and we just managed to catch the cliff railway. About £15 for 4 adults and a child for up and down again. It was lovely taking a walk around and most bars we looked into were also dog friendly too.
Because we wanted to get to Lynton and Lynmouth we skipped the east most part of the journey. But as I mentioned, we took around 7 hours to do about half of it!
So plan your trip and you may need to do it in two days!
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALT P
54 contributions
Oct 2021
I have spent a great deal of time on Exmoor and I love it, the Lyn Valley is fantastic and well worth the drive, there is an assortment of pubs and places to stop and quench your thirst or hunger.
Well worth a visit especially if the sun is shining if it is not don't miss it for a drop of stuff. The West Country weather can change as quick as it takes to put a brolly up, they always say there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing.
Well worth a visit especially if the sun is shining if it is not don't miss it for a drop of stuff. The West Country weather can change as quick as it takes to put a brolly up, they always say there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick M
4 contributions
Jul 2021
Found the map on 'Visit Lynton and Lynmouth / Explore / Scenic Drives' website.....
If you are afraid of heights this is not the trip for you, otherwise it's brilliant.
Breathtaking views and a fantastic drive well worth it.
It's a ‘scenic’ figure of eight drive around the beautiful ‘Little Switzerland’
A really stunning drive, fantastic scenery and views, lots of narrow roads so take care when driving.
If you are afraid of heights this is not the trip for you, otherwise it's brilliant.
Breathtaking views and a fantastic drive well worth it.
It's a ‘scenic’ figure of eight drive around the beautiful ‘Little Switzerland’
A really stunning drive, fantastic scenery and views, lots of narrow roads so take care when driving.
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
belindal l
Taunton, UK7 contributions
Apr 2021
Looking for an afternoon out we came across the '21 Mile Drive' map on the 'Visit Lynton & Lynmouth' website Explore/Scenic Drives....
Narrow lanes running along cliff tops with glorious sea views and winding down through deep wooded valleys by fast flowing rivers, we spent a relaxing afternoon driving around this spectacular figure of eight drive.
On the way round we parked up a couple of times to take short walks in the afternoon sunshine; as I said a lovely afternoon drive.....
Narrow lanes running along cliff tops with glorious sea views and winding down through deep wooded valleys by fast flowing rivers, we spent a relaxing afternoon driving around this spectacular figure of eight drive.
On the way round we parked up a couple of times to take short walks in the afternoon sunshine; as I said a lovely afternoon drive.....
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony Richard
1 contribution
Sep 2020
The 21 Mile Drive is a breathtakingly dramatic winding figure of eight drive along narrow lanes, through woods and valleys, by fast flowing rivers and along clifftops.....
A lovely way to spend a September afternoon, 'Little Switzerland' is just superb!
A lovely way to spend a September afternoon, 'Little Switzerland' is just superb!
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan C
Ipswich, UK556 contributions
Sep 2020
This is a lovely drive around Northern Exmoor and the coast near to Lynton and Lynmouth,especially if you are in a standard car (i.e. not too big) and are prepared to reverse uphill to squeeze into a passing place on some of the very narrow parts. Would suggest early or late to lessen the chance of too much traffic. Several good photo opportunities if you can find somewhere safe to stop and a variety of scenery from clifftop to ancient woodland.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobBonHere
Lytham St Anne's, UK2,597 contributions
Sep 2020
We had an afternoon free on our holiday from Lynmouth so we tried the 21-mile drive. The drive isn’t for the faint hearted as much of it is along single-track roads but the scenery is stunning ad well worth the effort. The route returns through the Valley of the Rocks so if you hadn’t already visited there, you get a sample on route.
Written September 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
towhiteny
Birmingham, UK2 contributions
Jul 2020
A very enjoyable figure of eight drive around the beautiful Lynton & Lynmouth area; a dramatic route along cliff edges, through deep valleys with some stunning views to enjoy along the way.
Woody Bay Station, the Heddon Valley and Hunters Inn, along the coast to the Valley of Rocks, then out through Rockford & Brendon, what's not to enjoy!
Woody Bay Station, the Heddon Valley and Hunters Inn, along the coast to the Valley of Rocks, then out through Rockford & Brendon, what's not to enjoy!
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane J
Banbury4 contributions
Jul 2019
Camera ready, map courtesy Lynton TIC and off we went for the day; first stop Lynton & Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay Station.
On to Hunters Inn, walk to Heddon's Mouth where testament has it during WWII U-Boats landed dinghies to refill their water tanks, reports seemingly have it of German submariners even playing football on the beach!
On to Woody Bay; we detoured driving right down the winding road and parked near the very bottom to see the remnants of the old pier, and tidal sea pool where you can swim.
Refreshments in the gardens at Lee Abbey tea cottage, through Lynton & Lynmouth to park up and walk down to Watersmeet House NT; Rockford, Brendon and back to Lynmouth.....
The roads are narrow and close to the cliff edge in parts; there are plenty of viewing places and short walks; take your time and make a whole day of it...
If you get the chance do it, we loved this drive!
On to Hunters Inn, walk to Heddon's Mouth where testament has it during WWII U-Boats landed dinghies to refill their water tanks, reports seemingly have it of German submariners even playing football on the beach!
On to Woody Bay; we detoured driving right down the winding road and parked near the very bottom to see the remnants of the old pier, and tidal sea pool where you can swim.
Refreshments in the gardens at Lee Abbey tea cottage, through Lynton & Lynmouth to park up and walk down to Watersmeet House NT; Rockford, Brendon and back to Lynmouth.....
The roads are narrow and close to the cliff edge in parts; there are plenty of viewing places and short walks; take your time and make a whole day of it...
If you get the chance do it, we loved this drive!
Written August 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
italiangirl2020
San Francisco, CA86 contributions
I am from the United States. I have never driven on the left side of the road. I am wondering how difficult it will be to drive in the Exmoor National Park with the narrow windy roads and hills. Thanks!
judilemsip
Chester, UK61 contributions
Hello Italian Girl, I think the biggest difficulty will be with width of the roads, they can be very narrow, if you hire a car maybe go for a smaller one. The best experience though is to find the tracks and off road type of routes, lots of lanes where there is only room for one vehicle, there are passing places which allow a vehicle to pull off the road to allow another to pass. We've just spent a fantastic holiday touring in a Range Rover Evoque Convertible, quite a big car and we didn't really have any problems. Do lots of reading about the area and really enjoy your hols.
Lizanne B
London, UK15 contributions
What is21 mile drive? where do I get the directions to do it?
Hello Lizanne,
The 21 mile drive is a figure of 8 drive through Exmoor national Park. You can either start from the east side or westn side of Exmoor. Depending on your starting point the route would incorporate Heddon Mouth, Lee Bay, Lynton & Lynmouth, Brendon Valley and Watermeet to name a few POIs.
Please google Little Switzerland 21 mile drive for maps.
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Claim your listing21 MILE DRIVE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about 21 Mile Drive
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