In my last visit to North Devon, in September, I had the chance to experience a wonderful “hide” in one of the most interesting means of the transport in the area, the historical funicular car that connects the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.
It was an incredible way of being transported back to the history of social and economic development in that area.
A funicular car, also known as, a cliff railway is a cable vehicle that moves up and down in steep slopes. The cliff railway in between Lynton and Lynmouth is a water powered funicular railway that started to operate in 1890.
In the 19th century, the high cliffs that separated Lynton from Lynmouth was considered the major obstacle to the economic development of both villages.
They relied on sea transport because there was no other way of bringing coal, food and other goods from land in Exmoor area that period. The cargo transported by vessels had to be carried by horse up to the hills.
“Lynmouth would become more important as a port for the surroundings districts, as good could then be more easily carted inland; and visitors would find it a great benefit, for instead of climbing the hill, they could be drawn up in a comfortable carriage.”
The railway is now classified as a listed monument.
Sources| Cliff Railway Lynton Photos| Rob Dann
