Proud Partner of the North Devon Biosphere
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is a proud member of the North Devon Biosphere Business Partner scheme. The North Devon Biosphere was UK’s first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and is here to inspire a positive future by connecting visitors with nature, culture, heritage and the landscape that makes this North Devon & Exmoor region worthy of the UNESCO designation. The Cliff Railway is committed to a number of conservational pledges, including wildflower planting areas of the site, installing bird boxes, conservation events, and the promotion of ongoing sustainability and green values within tourism.
'Gold' status with Green Tourism
We have achieved the Green Tourism 'Gold' status. This recognises that the Cliff Railway is achieving the highest category for sustainable and ethical tourism and continues to promotes greener ways for businesses and organisations to operate. Our partnership demonstrates a hallmark of ‘green quality’ to our eco-minded visitors. Our Green Journey at the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway includes an ongoing commitment towards sustainable tourism, ethical values, and a responsible environmentally-friendly practice, including the conservation of the local environment and its economy, the support of local ethical suppliers, and ensuring a happy, valued, and eco-aware workforce.
Green, Carbon Free & Water Powered
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is one of the greenest tourism attractions in the world! This fully water powered Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and requires only the power of gravity and natural Exmoor river water to operate. The water from the West Lyn River is temporarily 'borrowed' for ballast, and released, completely unchanged, onto the beach close to the natural river mouth. It remains the UK's only fully water powered railway and one of only three examples remaining worldwide.
Local & Ethical Suppliers
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway and The Cliff Top Cafe support local businesses and ethical suppliers. Local business support and a sustainable local economy is important to us and for the community of Lynton & Lynmouth and we strive to use local business for professional services, printing, distribution, food and drink, laundry services, Office and IT, and for many of our general maintenance materials.
Reducing Energy and Waste
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway and Cliff Top Cafe are committed to recycling and reducing waste. We actively strive to remove plastics and packaging within our food purchases, source locally, and reduce the amount of single use items that we purchase. We have reduced energy by installing LED track lighting technology and also actively recycle office paper and ensure that all printed media is on carbon balanced paper, eco-friendly inks, and 100% recyclable.
A Local & Committed Workforce
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is an important local community employer. The majority of our staff live in the community of Lynton & Lynmouth and several have enjoyed long service with the company. Under the Equality Act 2010, and the Modern Slavery Act 2015 we ensure that all staff are legally protected from discrimination in the workplace, and we strive to maintain, invest in and develop our staff at the Cliff Railway. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity by ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chain or in any part of our business. .
Collaboration with Local Business
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is very aware of our responsibility towards the community of Lynton & Lynmouth. This includes collaborative working with other businesses and groups in promoting the area, in supporting community events, and developing, promoting and maintaining tourism for the area. We work with many local organisations including Exmoor National Park, Lyn Economic Tourism Alliance, Town Council, Beach Clean organisations, and local charity groups. Our annual Cliff Railway Day is run as a collaborative effort with local tourism providers, family attractions and organisations.
Charity Support & Volunteering
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway continues to support local community events, both financially and with volunteered staff support, and actively encourage local charities to promote themselves and fund raise at the Cliff Railway site, we have supported conservation charities, emergency services, children's services and animal charities at our site and during our community events and supported other worldwide conservation and ecology projects. We also have volunteer Coastguard staff and volunteer town council representatives within our team.
Educational Support & Learning
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway offers a valuable resource for learning. The heritage nature of the railway, the sustainability, and the unique water-powered movement offers an amazing and diverse learning experience for all. We are working with local partners to develop STEM learning objectives, and to encourage educational visits from organisations, outward bound centres, and schools.
Getting here by Public Transport
The Lynton & Lynmouth is wonderfully remote but worth the journey. England's 'Little Switzerland' offers beaches, dramatic sea cliffs, river walks, harbours, shops and cafes, all set on the edge of Exmoor. There is a regular 309 / 310 bus service to and from Barnstaple and local taxi services. For more travel information visit the Lynton & Lynmouth website.
Respect Lynton & Lynmouth
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is located on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the UK and on the edge of Exmoor National Park. We have a responsibility to both promote and to protect this resource for visitors. The Cliff Railway is active in promoting Lynton & Lynmouth as a visitor location but is mindful of the impacts that tourism can have on the landscape and heritage. We strive to work with business partners, such as Visit Exmoor, North Devon Biosphere Project and the National Trust in promoting and protecting the area and ensuring that our visitors respectfully visit this wonderful location.
Our Sustainable Future
The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway is committed to the ongoing communication and promotion of sustainable tourism, and continues to review our green initiatives. We are aligned with national and international sustainability objectives and recognise the importance in setting a future focused sustainable vision, both within our business initiatives, for our visitor experience, and our ongoing investment in our staff.