River East Lyn
The River East Lyn rises in the rugged reaches of northern Exmoor and flows through Lynmouth into the Bristol Channel.
The river combines chocolate-box appeal with dramatic force and energy. Upstream, the thatched cottages of moorland villages line its peaceful banks, but later on the East Lyn plunges steeply to the sea, descending on the holiday town of Lynmouth with spectacular power and speed.
Many thousands of years ago the East Lyn flowed more peacably into the sea, plotting a course further to the west. However, events during the Ice Age eroded one side of the valley resulting in the short, violent drop which aggravated flood conditions in 1952.
The area around the East Lyn is noted for its beauty. Writers, artists, honeymooners and holidaymakers have been enchanted with the coastal towns and moorland scenery for centuries. Thomas Gainsborough, honeymooning here with his young bride, called Lynmouth: 'the most delightful place for a landscape painter this country can boast,' and the poet Shelley was moved to christen the area 'Little Switzerland'.
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