Day 8 - Thursday 25 April 2024
Simonsbath to Lynmouth (10.5 miles)
Ashcombe Car Park - the start of our final day on the Two Moors Way
Instead of me droning on about the history of Simonsbath you can read all about it for yourself courtesy of Exmoor National Park
Heading through Ashcombe Plantation
The head of the River Exe with Prayway Head to the right and Raven's Nest beyond
We were off to Exe Head
Crossing featureless Dure Down. I knew the direction I needed to take but if the cloud is down then head north west for just over half a mile on a bearing of 288 degrees to reach Exe Head.
The Upper Chains Valley - I think Fudge has spotted some water
Yes - I was right
The solitary Hoar Oak Tree which is noted as such on the OS Map. The name comes from "Har", the Anglo Saxon for boundary. The present tree replaced its predecessor which had stood here for 254 years and was blown down in 1916. The tree stands on the Devon-Somerset boundary and at this point we would be re-entering Devon.
Looking over Hoaroak Water to the abandoned Hoar Oak Cottage
Heading along the wide grassy expanse of the Cheriton Ridge
Next stop the hamlet of Cheriton
Scoresdown Farm
From Cheriton the route joins a rough track which drops down steeply to enter Combe Park
Heading through Combe Park
Time for a short break therefore Fudge & his Duck take the opportunity to grab 40 winks
Nap over, it's time to arse about in Hoaroak Water (Click Play to view)
Passing above the Combe Park Hotel
The National Trust property of Combe Park Lodge
Exiting Combe Park the route arrives at Hillsford Bridge on the B3223/A39 junction
From Hillsford Bridge the route heads along the A39 for a short distance to enter the National Trust's Watersmeet property
More singing I'm afraid - as can be seen Fudge is hurrying out of earshot (Click Play to view)
Looking across to Countisbury Common & Foreland Point
The stone bench marking the presentation to the National Trust of The Cleaves for use by the public for ever by C Bulkeley Esq
Angie had climbed out of Lynmouth to meet us near Myrtleberry Cleave and took this pic of Fudge & I
No time for a sit down Fudge, the finish awaits us
At Lyn Cleave near Oxen Tor the path begins its steep descent into Lynmouth
Lynmouth below with Lynton above
Continuing our descent into Lynmouth - blimey this was steep and went on a bit
At last Lynmouth - the steep descent popped us out opposite St John the Baptist Church
The tablet at St John the Baptist Church commemorating those from Lynmouth & Lynton lost in both World Wars
Inside the church is a wooden commemoration to those people who perished in the Great Flood of 1952
On the night of the 15th August 1952 , after extremely high rainfall and storms in the area, the rivers of the East Lyn, joined by Hoaroak Water at Watersmeet and the West Lyn burst their banks. The flow water raced down the river valleys destroying bridges and houses along the way until it reached the sea at Lynmouth. More than 100 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged (55 lost in Lynmouth approximately 25% of the rateable properties in the village) along with 28 of the 31 bridges. 95 cars were damaged with 38 being washed out to sea. In total 34 people died (17 in Lynmouth) with a further 420 made homeless. Eleven of the dead were on holiday, four of these being children. This disaster is the single largest loss of life in Britain from a river flood event. It has been estimated that 90 million tons of rain fell on Exmoor in 24 hours. The flood started at about 6.30pm on Friday evening and continued in pitch dark and thunderous noise until the early hours of Saturday morning. At times, water was flowing through the village at the rate of 651 cubic meters a second. Total river flow after heavy rainfall is usually 7 cubic metres a second. 114,000 tons of solid debris was swept into streets and properties. The West Lyn River deposited 8,000 ton of boulders in the village. Some weighing 50 tons were too big to move and had to be blown up by the army. Debris blocked against 28 bridges on the Lyn Rivers causing the rivers to 'pond'. When each dammed bridge collapsed, an additional surge of water 30ft (9.2m) high swept into an already overwhelmed village.
On the night of the 15th August 1952 , after extremely high rainfall and storms in the area, the rivers of the East Lyn, joined by Hoaroak Water at Watersmeet and the West Lyn burst their banks. The flow water raced down the river valleys destroying bridges and houses along the way until it reached the sea at Lynmouth. More than 100 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged (55 lost in Lynmouth approximately 25% of the rateable properties in the village) along with 28 of the 31 bridges. 95 cars were damaged with 38 being washed out to sea. In total 34 people died (17 in Lynmouth) with a further 420 made homeless. Eleven of the dead were on holiday, four of these being children. This disaster is the single largest loss of life in Britain from a river flood event. It has been estimated that 90 million tons of rain fell on Exmoor in 24 hours. The flood started at about 6.30pm on Friday evening and continued in pitch dark and thunderous noise until the early hours of Saturday morning. At times, water was flowing through the village at the rate of 651 cubic meters a second. Total river flow after heavy rainfall is usually 7 cubic metres a second. 114,000 tons of solid debris was swept into streets and properties. The West Lyn River deposited 8,000 ton of boulders in the village. Some weighing 50 tons were too big to move and had to be blown up by the army. Debris blocked against 28 bridges on the Lyn Rivers causing the rivers to 'pond'. When each dammed bridge collapsed, an additional surge of water 30ft (9.2m) high swept into an already overwhelmed village.
The lovely interior of St John the Baptist Church
The stone bridge over the East Lyn River at Lynmouth
August 1952
Present Day
The view looking towards the harbour entrance from the north side of the stone bridge above showing the widening of the rivers.
Following the flood, much of Lynmouth needed rebuilding, with immediate focus on the harbour walls and sea defences. Longer term plans for rebuilding needed to consider the future safety of both residents and visitors, with the design protecting the village if a storm of similar magnitude occurred again, whilst ensuring that the unique identity of the seaside village was not lost. A total of 12 properties were demolished to make way for the widening and deepening of the Lyn rivers and creation of a floodplain. These included some of the famous hotels dating from the mid to late 19th century - the Lyn Valley Hotel, the Falls Hotel, the Granville Hotel and the West Lyn Hotel.
Following the flood, much of Lynmouth needed rebuilding, with immediate focus on the harbour walls and sea defences. Longer term plans for rebuilding needed to consider the future safety of both residents and visitors, with the design protecting the village if a storm of similar magnitude occurred again, whilst ensuring that the unique identity of the seaside village was not lost. A total of 12 properties were demolished to make way for the widening and deepening of the Lyn rivers and creation of a floodplain. These included some of the famous hotels dating from the mid to late 19th century - the Lyn Valley Hotel, the Falls Hotel, the Granville Hotel and the West Lyn Hotel.
Smallest library I've ever seen - sssshhhhh
The sign at the entrance to the picturesque villages of Lynton & Lynmouth
Looking to the stone bridge from the one to the north
Nice of Mr Jackdaw to say hello
We're going to need a bigger shop
The Memorial Garden near the harbour entrance. The garden was named in memory of Mr Edward Nightingale, who for many years devoted much of his time to the Memorial Hall and was the local representative for the RNLI.
Countisbury Hill from Lynmouth Harbour
Lynmouth Harbour - tide's out!
The harbour frontage at Lynmouth.
The building to the left is The Rhenish Tower. The name "Rhenish" is thought to have been given to the tower because it was said to resemble a tower on the River Rhine. The original tower was built in the 19th Century but was destroyed during the flood of 1952. Rebuilt in 1954, the fire basket atop the tower, salvaged from the beach was the only retained part from the original tower.
The building to the left is The Rhenish Tower. The name "Rhenish" is thought to have been given to the tower because it was said to resemble a tower on the River Rhine. The original tower was built in the 19th Century but was destroyed during the flood of 1952. Rebuilt in 1954, the fire basket atop the tower, salvaged from the beach was the only retained part from the original tower.
Lynmouth hosts quite a few long distance walks
"The Walker" at Lynmouth - the official end of The Two Moors Way
The Walker was commissioned to mark the end of The Coleridge Way long-distance walking route and also indicates the closing stage of The Two Moors Way, as well as pinpointing where both these walks intersect with the South West Coast Path. Designed and constructed by local craftsman Richard Graham, the statue is made from reinforced 8mm marine quality stainless steel wire and shows a larger-than-life walker stretching out his hand in greeting.
The Walker was commissioned to mark the end of The Coleridge Way long-distance walking route and also indicates the closing stage of The Two Moors Way, as well as pinpointing where both these walks intersect with the South West Coast Path. Designed and constructed by local craftsman Richard Graham, the statue is made from reinforced 8mm marine quality stainless steel wire and shows a larger-than-life walker stretching out his hand in greeting.
Fudge and I at The Walker having completed The Two Moors Way
Well done little chap - more dosh raised for your doggy mates at Spaniel Aid
Shaking hands with The Walker at Lynmouth
Just across the road from the finish in The Pavilion is the National Park Visitor Centre. It is here that the Completion Book is held therefore I signed it on behalf of us both.
Two Ancient Mariners & Fudge enjoying a celebratory drink in The Ancient Mariner, Lynmouth
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Day 8 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
10.5 miles
115.1 miles
4hrs 45mins
1932ft (589m)
115.1 miles
4hrs 45mins
1932ft (589m)