Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway is a narrow gauge line in northern Devon that once linked Lynton with Barnstaple. Several restored sections now display original carriages and station buildings from around 1900.

The line opened in 1898 to link remote settlements with the markets of Barnstaple. Operations ended in 1935 when buses and cars offered faster and cheaper travel.

Volunteers from nearby towns work on weekends to keep the narrow gauge line open to visitors. Their efforts connect traditional railway skills with the memory of a time when steam trains were the only link between coastal villages.

The restored sections are scattered across several villages, so a car helps when visiting different sites. Information panels at the stations explain the engineering and the countryside the trains once crossed.

The locomotives were built specifically for steep slopes and reached valley floors that would otherwise have remained hard to access. Some preserved steam engines now stand in museums and show rare designs from the late 19th century.

Location: North Devon

Inception: 1898

Website: http://lynton-rail.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.10390,-3.98690

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28