Watersmeet House, Watersmeet Road, Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6NT
National Trust – Watersmeet
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours, Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8In a steep, wooded Exmoor valley, the East Lyn River meets Hoar Oak Water beside Watersmeet House, a former fishing lodge built in 1832. The river, gorge and woodland make the walk here as much the point as the house.
The appeal is the meeting of river and woodland: two streams converge in a steep, tree-filled gorge, with paths following the water to a historic fishing lodge. It offers a vivid sense of landscape and discovery, but the steep, uneven approach is part of the visit.
Atmospheric · Peaceful · Wild
Find your way
Open mapWatersmeet House, Watersmeet Road, Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6NT
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The experience
Come for the wooded gorge and the meeting of the rivers. Walk in from Lynmouth or use a car park above the valley, explore the paths around the confluence, and pause at Watersmeet House if it is open. Routes are steep and uneven in places.
Things to do
Follow the East Lyn from Lynmouth
Walk upstream along the riverside path through the wooded valley to Watersmeet House. The route is described as about 1½ miles from Lynmouth, with uneven, hilly terrain; check conditions before setting off.
Allow time for the return walk; check current route conditions.
See where the two streams meet
Look for the meeting point of the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water in the wooded gorge beside Watersmeet House.
Pause at Watersmeet House
The former fishing lodge is now a National Trust information point, shop and tea-room. Check opening times before relying on refreshments.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow time for the walk and return; distance depends on your starting point.
Quick escape: walk to the confluence
- 01
Start from Lynmouth and follow the riverside path upstream towards Watersmeet House.
- 02
Pause at the confluence of the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water.
- 03
Return by the same route; expect uneven, hilly terrain.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: explore the valley
- 01
Choose a starting point in Lynmouth or one of the car parks above the valley, checking the route and current access first.
- 02
Walk to Watersmeet House and explore the riverside setting around the meeting of the two streams.
- 03
If open, take a break at the National Trust tea-room.
- 04
Return by your chosen route, allowing for the steep sections and climb back to higher parking.
Verified history
Watersmeet House was built in 1832 as a fishing and hunting lodge for Walter Stevenson Halliday. It now serves as a National Trust tea-room and information point.
Hidden details
The house’s original purpose — Watersmeet House is not simply a riverside refreshment stop: it began as a fishing and hunting lodge, built in 1832.
When to go
· Check current access and weather conditions; no specific best time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources describe Watersmeet as a place to visit throughout the year but do not establish a particular best season. River and path conditions can vary; check locally before setting out.
The paths are naturally uneven and include steep sections and steps. Check the weather and current path notices before walking.
Worth pairing with
Lynmouth
Use Lynmouth as the starting point for the riverside walk to Watersmeet; the National Trust describes the walk upstream as approximately 1½ miles.
What to look for
- 01
Watch where the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water come together
- 02
notice how the paths follow the river through the wooded gorge
- 03
look for the former fishing lodge beside the confluence.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Year-round; choose conditions to suit the walk and check current access.
The setting can be enjoyed throughout the year. Check weather and path conditions before a walk, and check the tea-room’s opening times if refreshments are part of your plan.
How long to spend
1–2 hours, Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Dogs · Couples
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10:30am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Thursday: 10:30am-5pm
- Friday: 10:30am-5pm
- Saturday: 10:30am-5pm
- Sunday: 10:30am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Watersmeet is reached on foot from Lynmouth or from car parks above the valley. The paths include steep sections, steps and uneven surfaces; there is no parking at Watersmeet House itself. Check current path closures and access information before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
No parking at Watersmeet House. The National Trust lists pay-and-display parking on the A39 above the house and car parks at Combe Park and Countisbury; routes and terrain differ. Check current parking arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
An accessible toilet is listed at Watersmeet House when the tea-room is open. Check current opening information.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The National Trust lists a tea-room at Watersmeet House. Opening times vary; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are allowed at most parts of Watersmeet; check the National Trust’s current guidance for local restrictions.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source describes partially accessible grounds, naturally uneven paths, steep sections and many steps. A drop-off point near the tea-room may be available for blue badge holders by advance arrangement; call the National Trust to check. The source row also reports no wheelchair-accessible entrance.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
River, Stream, Waterfall
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around National Trust – Watersmeet
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
