The sun sets over the Valley of the Rocks. Photo by Will Bowden (www.exmoorcentre.co.uk)
When the night falls….
The sun sets over the Valley of the Rocks. Photo by Will Bowden (www.exmoorcentre.co.uk)
Tag: Lynton
Flying Goat
A feral goat in the Valley of the Rocks near Lynton. Photo by Rosie Schneider
Looking North from Castle Rock
Photo by Rosie Schneider
Frog Pond
Busy Frog Pond outside Lee House in Lynton
Lunch Break
Photo by Rupert Kirby
A Letter from Exmoor: A visit to the Valley of the Rocks
Peter Stephens is a professional photographer based in Exeter, with strong links to Exmoor. Here is his account of a visit to the Valley of the Rock:
The stunning view over the Valley of Rocks on Exmoor National Park, North Devon. This spectacular ‘dry valley’ is unlike another combe on the north coast. The valley which was probably created during the Ice Age has spectacular weathered rock formations with names such as ‘The Devil’s Cheesering’, Castle Rocks’ and ‘Ragged Jack’.
I last climbed this rock to take a panorama back in 2006, you can see this image here. It’s a beautiful spot, and if you are mad enough to climb up to this spot you’ll have an amazing view – not that I’m recommending you do at all, please don’t it’s not safe.
After carrying my heavy pack pack up with my camera gear in I was shattered, why I decided to carry it all up I don’t know – well I have a few nice shots so yes it was worth it. When I got to the top I sat there for a while and took in the view (while catching my breath back). After taking a few shots from this location, I had a look at the rock previously scaled to take the panoramic photograph. It looked different than I remembered and quickly decided that I would be mad to climb up and told myself no, take one from the spot I was standing. Looked around…. and the rock I wanted to climb was in the way of part of the view, so only one choice but to climb up. Grabbed my Benbo 11 tripod with the camera and panohead and climb up a little way to the rock. At this point there was a sheer drop to my left, had to climb around a few bolder’s with my camera and tripod – not much fun. Finally at the bottom of the bolder I had to work out how to get me and my gear up 10 foot of rock. Fortunately there is a little ledge I could reach to put my camera on while I climb up, and eventually I was there. This was the really scary bit…. just about all around is a sheer drop, as you can see in the interactive image above.
Managed to bring myself to stand up on the rock, thinking “what the hell am I doing up here” – set the camera up, took the photos and then realized that I had left the memory card in the other camera…. great ! Usually I have a card in each of my cameras, but had used one up earlier that day and for the first time ever had a card fail on me. So only one card left, which was back in the other camera in my bag. So laded the camera down on the rock, climbed back down again to get the card and back to take the shot for real. Finally got the shot in the bag as you can see above.
Looking at it now I’m glad I climbed up again, such a lovely view of the Valley of Rocks from here. Wanted to take some more around the area but didn’t have the time, will be back again though as I’m often in North Devon for one reason or another.
It’s well worth a visit, has some lovelly walks around the area and only a short walk away from Lynton and Lynmouth.
Cross Gate
Photo by Phil Perkins
New Life in the Valley of the Rocks
New born feral goat in the Valley of the Rocks. Photo by Ken Blakey
Duck Race
Duck Race (Photo Ken Blakey)
Exmoor on TV: Great British Railway Journeys on BBC2
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with his copy of Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guidebook. In a series of railway journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to see what of Bradshaw’s World remains. Michael follows in the footsteps of the master engineer of the Great Western Railway, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, beginning at the line’s London gateway, Paddington Station and ending in Newton Abbot, Devon, the scene of one of Brunel’s heroic failures. Michael gets up close to a piece of natural history, visits a garden used as a viewing platform for public hangings and experiences a timepiece like no other.
Wednesday, 30 January 2012, 6.30 pm on BBC2: Taunton to Minehead
Michael Portillo travels on the West Somerset Railway from Taunton to Minehead.
If you’d like to do the same, then pop over to the West Somerset Railway website:
Our Railway, a true country branch line of the old Great Western Railway is full of fascination whether you are looking for a nostalgic ride back in time through lovely countryside or to study the railway and industrial heritage which our line preserves. The historic steam locomotives, coaches and wagons, and the buildings of our ten unique stations linked by a twenty mile scenic journey will repay hours of exploration. The surrounding countryside is as varied as it is beautiful. The gently rolling Quantock hills and distant Exmoor, unspoilt villages and farms nestling in leafy lanes, the cliffs and coast of the Bristol Channel with views of distant South-Wales, confident Church Towers, Dunster’s imposing Castle and Minehead’s seaside charm are all waiting to be discovered.
There are toilets on each train. Disabled persons accessible toilets are available at Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber Watchet and Minehead stations.
We can carry passengers in wheelchairs in our trains. Please let us know as space is limited and we can book you seats in advance on 01643 700384. Disabled toilets are available in our Lorna Doone carriage which can be booked in advance.
Dogs are welcome on our service trains and are charged £2.00 per dog.
There is a buffet car on most of our trains selling a variety of light refreshments a large number of which are locally produced. Please see the catering page for more information about our catering services.
Thursday, 31 January 2012, 6.30 pm on BBC2: Lynton and Lynmouth to Exeter
You can find out more about the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway on their website:
Steam trains through rolling countryside, with views out to wild moorland and the rugged coastline.
Originally opened in 1898, and closed in 1935; what you can see today at Woody Bay is just the beginning of an exciting project to rebuild one of the world’s most famous and picturesque narrow gauge railways; the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
This initial section allows our visitors to experience a taste of what will one day become one of the ultimate narrow gauge treasures of the world as they once again travel by train along the original route above the delightful Heddon Valley near Parracombe in Exmoor’s National Park on the longest closed section of railway line to have ever been reopened solely through volunteer effort.
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