The “Switzerland of England” is a stunning pair of neighbouring UK towns in the south of England. It is home to stunning cliffs, serene hills, a unique railway and plenty of great places to eat and drink. However, many Brits have never heard of it. The UK is home to a huge number of towns that make for top tourist attractions, from classic seaside towns offering summers filled with fun to quaint market towns with the best Christmas markets in the country.
Two towns on the north Devon coast have been compared to Switzerland because of their unique look and atmosphere. The neighbouring towns that have been dubbed the “Switzerland of England” are Lynton and Lynmouth. The two tiny towns, which are located less than a mile from each other, make up a go-to coastal resort in Devon. Although they are two separate towns, they are often considered one destination as the distance between them is minimal. The local tourism authority describes the towns as naturally beautiful and rich in history, and it seems like visitors agree.
One tourist took to Instagram to show off the highlights of Lynton and Lynmouth, dubbing this place the Switzerland of England. The social media poster, who goes by @theweeshastravel, said of the area: “With steep wooded valleys, dramatic coastal cliffs, and a charming cliff railway connecting these twin towns, it feels like stepping into a postcard.”
They list a number of things that they enjoyed doing in Lynton and Lynmouth, including “the world’s highest and steepest water-powered Funicular Railway” and “Lynton’s stunning hilltop views”. This Instagram user isn’t the first to compare Lynton and Lynmouth to Switzerland.
In fact, it has been lovingly referred to on social media as “Little Switzerland” for a few years now. And there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time there. The stand-out is probably the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway in Exmoor National Park, which connects the two towns.
It takes you up the cliff and offers an experience full of heritage, natural beauty, and wondrous engineering. The 862-foot track offers remarkable views of the coast of Exmoor, Lynmouth Bay, and even the Bristol Channel. The rail service was opened in 1890 and is still operating on its original system, so you are transported back to Victorian England.
This is just one of the highlights of the twinning towns. Another is the South West Coast Path, which allows walkers to take in gorgeous views of the dramatic coastline.
For nature lovers, there is also the Valley of the Rocks, Watersmeet Trail, Glen Lyn Gorge, and Foreland Point. Visitors have left Lynton and Lynmouth with amazing memories and wish they had more time there.
A TripAdvisor user wrote: “I only wish that we’d had more time to explore this breathtaking area.” A second shared: “A very small place, but very picturesque.”
A third posted: “We walked down to Lynmouth, then enjoyed our trip back up to Lynton on the railway. I’m a huge fan of funiculars so this was on my must-do list and it didn’t disappoint.”
While the natural beauty is a massive draw here, there are plenty of other attractions to sink your teeth into in Lynton and Lynmouth. Examples include the Lyn & Exmoor Museum, Lynton Cinema and Lynmouth Model Railway.
