Exmoor Coaster

Journey Overview

The fun starts outside Butlins, with all its japery and a trip down the Minehead promenade and then the thrills and spills really take off. Through the quintessentially Devon village of Porlock, it’s up the steepest and jaw-dropping of terrains up the twisting Prolock Hill to take you along the cliff top, with the spectacular coastline on the right, with clear views over the Bristol Channel to South Wales and the evocative Exmoor on the left. The bus weaves its way on the long descent into the fascinating coastal harbour village of Lynmouth where marvellous interest awaits – of fish and chips on the seafront, a spell-binding model railway exhibition and much more or for the adventurous, a charming cliff top railway up into Lynton for charming coffee shops and much more.

Gateway to the Exmoor Coaster

By train to Taunton, the 28 bus direct to Watchet.  www.nationalrail.co.uk

Alternatively, by Megabus to Taunton from Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and then the 28 bus direct to Watchet.

A Fab Day Out!

A brisk sandy seafront stroll in Minehead and a look at the fascinating shop on the West Somerset Steam Railway station before arriving at the adjacent Exmoor Coaster bus stop, nestled next to the entrance to the station and a lovely ice-cream kiosk!

Visit the Lynton Model Railway Exhibition which is a 2-minute walk from the bus stop. A fabulous, miniature steam railway with incredible attention to detail and trains rattling round at great speed awaits. This incredible exhibit is absolutely free.

Then it’s a lovely walk down the seafront along to the famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and is the highest and the steepest totally water powered railway in the world! This historic funicular Cliff Railway is a silver award winner in Devon’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2020, holds the Green Tourism ‘Gold’ award for sustainable tourism & several heritage and transport awards. The Cliff Railway connects the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth providing stunning coastal views that will be the highlight of any visit. This working heritage railway is grade II listed, the UK’s only fully water powered railway and one of just three examples left in the World!

Perched on the cliff top, and at 500ft above the lower station, is the Cliff Railway’s grade II listed Cliff Top Cafe offering perhaps the best location for a Cream Tea in the Westcountry. With amazing views and great food, it’s just what you need before taking a short walk to the Lyn and Exmoor Museum which provides a marvellous insight into the local maritime, railway and natural history, as well as unique pictures of the Lynmouth Flood. The museum is housed in Lynton’s oldest surviving domestic dwelling and even includes its own ghost!

A walk back to the Cliff Railway, possibly popping into the lovely Lynton Wool Shop en route. Then it’s the trip down the cliff to the seafront again, maybe stopping off at the lovely Esplanade Fish Bar if you are still peckish and you’ll be back in good time to catch the 15:10 Exmoor Coaster back, which will get you to Minehead Parade for 16:05.

A round-trip adventure for the more ambitious explorer

There’s a great adventure that can start and finish in Taunton, taking in coastal and inland Somerset all in a day.

For those arriving from London and other major cities, Taunton is the perfect interchange to start your great scenic journey, with its excellent railway connections.

The X28 bus from just across the road at Taunton station, takes an hour to the lovely seaside resort of Minehead, where you can pick up the Exmoor Coaster which will take you on the stunning journey over Exmoor and through the delightful village of Porlock to Lynmouth.

If you fancy looking round in Lynmouth there’s lots to offer, including the model railway and Cliff Railway up to Lynton, as well as plenty of fabulous coffee shops and some sumptuous fish and chip restaurants. Or, if you’re keen to make haste and continue your sojourn, at Lynmouth buses connect your Exmoor Coaster with the Exmoor Sunseeker which winds its way, through clifftop twists and turns to the charming, genteel seaside town of Ilfracome where cream teas, crazy golf and rocky seaside views and experiences prevail. The 21 bus then provides frequent trips to take you inland across Somerset to the bustling town of Barnstaple where Great Western Railway’s quaint, tree-lined branch line 10 minutes’ walk from the bus station, connects with Exeter St Davids. Here, you can go full circle by catching the train back to Taunton or if you’ve come from further West, it’s the gateway to Plymouth and Cornwall beyond, where, further scenic journeys abound…

This trip provides an unforgettable, bumper circular tour day out that provides a fabulous insight into North Devon, it’s glorious coast and thriving towns and villages.