‘I visited UK’s ‘Little Switzerland’ village by the sea – it was idyllic’

Lynmouth, nestled in the picturesque Devon landscape, has earned the moniker ‘little Switzerland’ for its breathtaking vistas and charming locale. This gem on the north Devon coast, situated close to Exmoor, is an ideal retreat for a quintessentially British holiday.

Bristol Live’s Estel Farell Roig took her two young children to explore this serene village and discovered it to be a family-friendly destination.

During her four-day sojourn, Estel opted for accommodation at Tors Park, a haven of 36 self-catering holiday apartments that serve as the perfect base for local exploration.

Estel shared her experience at Tors Park, writing: “After a warm welcome by the site’s general manager, we walked down the steps down to our apartment; Ocean Terrace. We found the two-bedroom apartment to be spacious, spotless and we felt it had been done up to a very high standard.”

She continued, praising the apartment’s understated yet modern luxury: “The flat – unpretentious but luxurious in a modern way – had a well-equipped kitchen and both of us had kitchen envy. My friend, a big coffee fan, was very excited by the Nespresso machine,” reports the Mirror.

But it was the apartment’s awe-inspiring views that truly captivated her: “However, the true highlight of the apartment was the stunning panoramic views across Lynmouth Harbour; having not one, not two but three outdoor areas from where to enjoy the sea views.

“Featuring two balconies, it is the huge terrace that makes this apartment stand out and we spent many an hour relaxing in the comfortable outdoor furniture in the afternoon and evening sun.”

Estell and her companion arrived at Lynmouth at 5pm, choosing to spend the evening in their apartment before venturing out the next day.

She was immediately struck by the family-friendly amenities, noting, “Already that first evening, it was clear to me what a perfect place this was for families – think high chairs, travel cots provided for you – but I can also imagine this being ideal for a romantic getaway, with such high-quality furniture and a fireplace, for example.

“For me, one of the best things about our stay at Tors Park was the fact we could walk everywhere. We didn’t even have to use the car once in our time in Lynmouth, while in countryside holidays it often feels you have a 20-minute car journey to get anywhere.”

The holiday proved to be stress-free, which Estell found essential when travelling with little ones: “From beginning to end, it felt like a very easy holiday, which is what you need when you travel with small children as they already add such a layer of complication and intensity.”

Describing the town’s proximity and attractions, she added, “The town is just a short way down a steep path, leading to a green ideal for walking your dog if you bring one (we did). We walked over to the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway (£7 each), which was definitely worth a visit.”

Estell highlighted a particular coastal attraction, saying, “Nestled in the coastline, the trip on one of the oldest and steepest water-powered railways is an absolute must. Both of our toddlers were mesmerised during the journey, pointing as we went up.”

“From there, we walked over to the Valley of the Rocks through the town, stopping to look at some shops on the way there. The valley, parallel to the sea, is known for its feral goats and we were lucky enough to spot quite a few which my son was very excited by.”

Estell added that the family then walked back to Lynton along the coastal path, before heading back to Lynmouth via the Cliff Railway.

The next day, the group went to Watersmeet House. Estell wrote: “On the third day we walked over to Watersmeet House. Built in 1832 as a fishing and hunting lodge, since 1900 it has served cream teas. The walk to get there is through a dramatic river gorge surrounded by ancient woodland.”

“It is about a two-mile walk from Lynmouth to get there, and it took us about 1.3 hours each way at a gentle pace, with toddlers walking for a bit and carrying them on our backs for the rest of the journey. We were quite sweaty by the end of the walk, but it was so worth it; Watersmeet House was such an idyllic spot. You can see why they call this area ‘Little Switzerland’.”

She continued: “Managed by the National Trust, I felt the quality of what we got was above-average of what I may expect from a site managed by the charity. I went for an iced latte and a raspberry and ginger scone with jam and cream.”

“I am not British, so I have probably haven’t sampled the widest range of scones, but I am not exaggerating when I say this was the best scone I’ve ever had, beating the ones I have had at fancy hotels as part of afternoon teas.”

The food blogger continued: “The scone was so moist, full of flavour. Being crispy on the outside, it was packed with little bits of soft fruit and sharp ginger pieces. Truly delicious, a must try when visiting.”

She continued: “The scone was so moist, full of flavour. Being crispy on the outside, it was packed with little bits of soft fruit and sharp ginger pieces. Truly delicious, a must try when visiting.”

Reflecting on her trip, Estell concluded: “Staying in a gorgeous apartment in such a stunning location, we had an amazing time and would not hesitate to come back. As a stay at Tors Park showed to us, there is no need to go too far away to have a good break.”

“We made some great memories and, despite having two under-twos with us, we left feeling a lot more relaxed than we arrived. Oh, and if you were wondering, the drive back in the morning was a lot smoother with two tired toddlers (thankfully!)”