RISING SUN
14th century thatched Devonshire inn steeped in charm
STEP INSIDE THIS THATCHED 14th-century inn, and The Rising Sun's uneven oak floors, sturdy walls, dark wood panelling and crooked ceilings take you all the way back to pirating days – through centuries of buccaneering, smuggling and tales from the sea.
Lush hills fringed with flowers rise up behind the inn, while at the front it gazes over a small stone-walled harbour and salmon river. Owners Tony and Clair Vickery have burnished the patina of antiquity at The Rising Sun and pepped it up with all today’s essential comforts. Many rooms have half-tester beds cloaked in designer chintz, while outside you can inhale the heady scent of clambering myrtle.
Dinner in the Michelin-listed restaurant is served amid candlelight in the oak-panelled dining room whose leaded windows frame views of England's highest cliffs. You might just catch sight of a stag or see a kingfisher flash by in scenic Lynmouth Bay.
Hit the Spot
Overlooking the waters of Lynmouth Bay.
Bedtime
Plump for Shelley's Cottage, complete with half-tester bed and private garden.
Be Savvy
Wobbly floors and low doorways come as standard
Be Smitten
It was the poet Shelley's honeymoon spot – very poetic.
Literary past
This is Devon at its chocolate-box loveliest. Leading literary figures of the past have bedded down between these walls. RD Blackmore wrote several chapters of the classic Lorna Doone right here, while the poet Shelley – enraptured by the setting – made The Rising Sun his honeymoon lovenest in 1812.
You can always slumber in supposedly haunted Shelley's Cottage in the grounds, where unsuspecting souls have been awoken by a naughty smack on the bottom – or so they say.
The Rising Sun was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
Lush hills fringed with flowers rise up behind the inn, while at the front it gazes over a small stone-walled harbour and salmon river. Owners Tony and Clair Vickery have burnished the patina of antiquity at The Rising Sun and pepped it up with all today’s essential comforts. Many rooms have half-tester beds cloaked in designer chintz, while outside you can inhale the heady scent of clambering myrtle.
Dinner in the Michelin-listed restaurant is served amid candlelight in the oak-panelled dining room whose leaded windows frame views of England's highest cliffs. You might just catch sight of a stag or see a kingfisher flash by in scenic Lynmouth Bay.
Hit the Spot
Overlooking the waters of Lynmouth Bay.
Bedtime
Plump for Shelley's Cottage, complete with half-tester bed and private garden.
Be Savvy
Wobbly floors and low doorways come as standard
Be Smitten
It was the poet Shelley's honeymoon spot – very poetic.
Literary past
This is Devon at its chocolate-box loveliest. Leading literary figures of the past have bedded down between these walls. RD Blackmore wrote several chapters of the classic Lorna Doone right here, while the poet Shelley – enraptured by the setting – made The Rising Sun his honeymoon lovenest in 1812.
You can always slumber in supposedly haunted Shelley's Cottage in the grounds, where unsuspecting souls have been awoken by a naughty smack on the bottom – or so they say.
The Rising Sun was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
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Dining in
The oak-panelled, candlelit dining room at the Rising Sun – complete with ancient beams and haphazard wooden floor – has all the atmosphere of an olde worlde inn. Look forward to biting into Lynmouth Bay lobster landed at the door, salmon fished from the River Lyn and local game – duck, venison, hare or wild boar – from nearby Exmoor.
Dining out
Take the 100-year-old cliff railway up to Lynton , with its array of tea rooms and eateries.
Where?
The Rising Sun
What's cooking?
Fennel tarte tatin, followed by a trio of local game birds served Wellington style on poppy seed mash with a ginger wine and honey cream sauce.
Dress the part
It's relaxed and pubby
Top table?
Next to the window with views of Lynmouth Bay
See & Do
Take the historic Victorian cliff railway (it's moreover water powered, so eco friendly) 862 feet uphill to Lynton, where there are great views of the north Devon coast. The wilds of Exmoor offer plenty of scope for walking and wildlife spotting (don't miss the Doone valley), while dramatic sea and cliff views await at the Valley of Rocks and Watersmeet – a dramatic river gorge with ancient woodlands – and surrounding coastal paths. Of course, you can always simply hang out and watch life around Lynmouth's pretty little harbour.
Shop
See traditional pots being thrown at Lynmouth Pottery's workshop and studio, then buy some to take home.
After dark
You're in early-to-bed country, so cosy up by the fire with a local ale and make the most of it.
Dates
June
Take in a gig or two at the Lynton & Lynmouth Arts and Music Festival.
The oak-panelled, candlelit dining room at the Rising Sun – complete with ancient beams and haphazard wooden floor – has all the atmosphere of an olde worlde inn. Look forward to biting into Lynmouth Bay lobster landed at the door, salmon fished from the River Lyn and local game – duck, venison, hare or wild boar – from nearby Exmoor.
Dining out
Take the 100-year-old cliff railway up to Lynton , with its array of tea rooms and eateries.
Where?
The Rising Sun
What's cooking?
Fennel tarte tatin, followed by a trio of local game birds served Wellington style on poppy seed mash with a ginger wine and honey cream sauce.
Dress the part
It's relaxed and pubby
Top table?
Next to the window with views of Lynmouth Bay
See & Do
Take the historic Victorian cliff railway (it's moreover water powered, so eco friendly) 862 feet uphill to Lynton, where there are great views of the north Devon coast. The wilds of Exmoor offer plenty of scope for walking and wildlife spotting (don't miss the Doone valley), while dramatic sea and cliff views await at the Valley of Rocks and Watersmeet – a dramatic river gorge with ancient woodlands – and surrounding coastal paths. Of course, you can always simply hang out and watch life around Lynmouth's pretty little harbour.
Shop
See traditional pots being thrown at Lynmouth Pottery's workshop and studio, then buy some to take home.
After dark
You're in early-to-bed country, so cosy up by the fire with a local ale and make the most of it.
Dates
June
Take in a gig or two at the Lynton & Lynmouth Arts and Music Festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Harbourside, Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6EG
Parking
There is free on-street parking nearby from 4pm to 12 noon, and a payable carpark nearby.
Trains
Barnstaple station – 15 miles
Taxis
GBP 40 from the station
Airport
Exeter – 38 miles
Rooms and suites
16 rooms
Special features
Think charm and individuality. Your surroundings may be 14th century, but comforts are definitely not. The best rooms have half-tester beds and sea views.
Also...
Slumber amid thatched-roof charm (with plenty of creaky floorboards) at the foot of the highest hogback cliffs in England.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 130 - 190
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9:30am
Room service
Available until 9:30pm
Children
Welcome, but no under 8's in the restaurant
Pets
Welcome in certain rooms
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English
Wedding license?
No
Your contacts
Tony and Claire Vickery – owners
Location
Harbourside, Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6EG
Parking
There is free on-street parking nearby from 4pm to 12 noon, and a payable carpark nearby.
Trains
Barnstaple station – 15 miles
Taxis
GBP 40 from the station
Airport
Exeter – 38 miles
Rooms and suites
16 rooms
Special features
Think charm and individuality. Your surroundings may be 14th century, but comforts are definitely not. The best rooms have half-tester beds and sea views.
Also...
Slumber amid thatched-roof charm (with plenty of creaky floorboards) at the foot of the highest hogback cliffs in England.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 130 - 190
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9:30am
Room service
Available until 9:30pm
Children
Welcome, but no under 8's in the restaurant
Pets
Welcome in certain rooms
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English
Wedding license?
No
Your contacts
Tony and Claire Vickery – owners
