Cherished Moments at Exmoor Cliff Retreat
Some stays are relaxing.
Others become part of your story.
At Exmoor Cliff Retreat – our internationally award-winning, adults-only 5-star retreat in Lynton, North Devon – guests return to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Romantic escapes overlooking the Bristol Channel, anniversary weekends on Exmoor, surprise proposals, unforgettable walks, memorable meals and evenings that somehow stay with you long after the journey home.
Perched high above Lynmouth within Exmoor National Park, Exmoor Cliff Retreat combines elegant sea-view bedrooms, award-winning breakfasts, free private parking and warm, personal hospitality to create something more than simply a place to stay.
Because the best memories are rarely planned perfectly.
They simply happen in the right place.
Movies & Memories
Tucked away in the heart of Lynton is one of the area’s most charming hidden gems – the historic Lynton Cinema.
Believed to be the smallest cinema in the UK, this beautifully restored picture house has become a much-loved part of the local community and a wonderfully nostalgic experience for visitors discovering Exmoor and the North Devon coast.
For many of our guests, an evening at the cinema followed by a peaceful stay overlooking the Bristol Channel becomes one of those unexpectedly memorable moments that define a trip away. No queues. No crowds. Just proper old-fashioned atmosphere in one of England’s most unique coastal villages.
It is exactly the kind of quietly special experience that makes people fall in love with Lynton and Lynmouth.
Long Walks & Sunsets
This is a landscape that was never designed to be rushed.
Exmoor Cliff Retreat sits high above Lynmouth Bay on the edge of Exmoor National Park, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking coastal and countryside walks anywhere in England. Step outside our front door and within minutes you can find yourself walking dramatic cliff paths, wooded river valleys, open moorland or winding coastal trails with uninterrupted sea views across the Bristol Channel towards South Wales.
Guests often arrive intending to “do a few walks”… and leave completely captivated by the scenery around them.
Early mornings bring soft light rolling across the valleys. Afternoons reveal the rugged beauty of the South West Coast Path, the Valley of Rocks and Watersmeet. And then come the sunsets – those extraordinary evenings when the sky turns gold, orange and deep pink above the sea below Exmoor Cliff Retreat.
It is one of the reasons so many guests return year after year.
Because on Exmoor, walking is not simply exercise.
It becomes part of how you experience the place itself.
And after a long day outdoors? Returning to a warm, elegant room, a hot shower and the calm atmosphere of Exmoor Cliff Retreat is all part of the ritual.
Dinner for Two
One of the loveliest parts of a stay at Exmoor Cliff Retreat is that memorable evenings begin just moments from our doorstep.
Lynton and Lynmouth may be small coastal towns, but they are home to some genuinely special dining experiences. Guests regularly enjoy romantic dinners and relaxed evenings at favourites such as The Old Bank, The Oak Room and Kensington Restaurant — each offering their own atmosphere, character and flavour of North Devon hospitality.
From intimate candlelit meals and locally sourced seafood to relaxed glasses of wine after a day exploring Exmoor, the experience here is less about rushing from place to place… and more about slowing down and enjoying where you are.
And afterwards? The sea air, village lights and gentle walk back up to Exmoor Cliff Retreat somehow become part of the evening itself.
Celebrating Special Moments
Birthdays. Anniversaries. Engagements. Reunions.
National Celebrations
Sometimes the occasion matters. Sometimes simply getting away together is reason enough.
Over the years, Exmoor Cliff Retreat has quietly become part of many guests’ traditions and celebrations. We have welcomed honeymooners, returning couples, surprise birthday weekends and guests marking life’s milestones beside the coast of Exmoor.
There is something about this corner of North Devon — the scenery, the calm, the atmosphere — that turns ordinary weekends into meaningful memories.
And being part of those stories is something we never take for granted.
Returning Again & Again
For many guests, Exmoor Cliff Retreat is no longer simply somewhere they discovered once. It has become somewhere they return to.
Some visit every year. Others return in different seasons to experience Exmoor in a completely new way — spring coast walks, long summer evenings, autumn colours across the valleys or dramatic winter seas rolling into Lynmouth Bay.
Over time, Exmoor Cliff Retreat has quietly built a reputation not simply as a place to stay… but as a place people genuinely connect with. A place woven into anniversaries, traditions, celebrations and cherished memories beside the sea.
It is those returning faces, familiar conversations and shared experiences that continue to shape the atmosphere and spirit of Exmoor Cliff Retreat.
And somehow, each season brings new stories with it.
Award-Winning Stays... Unforgettable Memories...
Discover why guests from around the world continue to choose Exmoor Cliff Retreat for romantic escapes, special occasions and unforgettable stays along the Exmoor coast.
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The atmosphere was truly in the air when Joe chose Exmoor Cliff Retreat to surprise his girlfriend Sammy for her birthday. With thoughtful touches waiting on arrival and a setting designed to make it feel special, their stay became more than just a getaway — it was a moment to remember. From the sea views to the atmosphere, everything came together beautifully. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or simply something worth celebrating, Exmoor Cliff Retreat is where meaningful moments are made by the sea.
Love was truly in the (sea) air when honeymooners Meg and James chose to celebrate their special getaway at Exmoor Cliff Retreat. With Prosecco on the sun-drenched terrace and a surprise bottle gifted by fellow guests George and Barbara, it was a day full of sunshine, sparkle, and heartfelt kindness — the very essence of what makes a stay with us so memorable. Whether it’s a honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a moment to celebrate, Exmoor Cliff Retreat is where love and luxury meet by the sea.
At Exmoor Cliff Retreat were delighted to celebrate a truly remarkable couple, Frances and Colin Dyson from Birmingham, on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary
Their love story began in 1964 when they honeymooned in North Devon, staying at The Rookery (now Exmoor Cliff Retreat) with the Parkers.
Fast forward 50 years, and they returned to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2014, staying with the Orchards. In September 2024, we were thrilled to welcome them back once again as they mark 60 incredible years of marriage, staying at Exmoor Cliff Retreat.
Lindsey & Jon's Valley of Rocks Engagement
All the way from the sun-kissed landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona, Lindsey and Jon chose Exmoor National Park as the breathtaking backdrop for one of life’s most precious moments. Jon carefully planned a heartfelt proposal in the world-renowned Valley of Rocks – a dramatic and romantic setting that perfectly matched the occasion. Surrounded by towering cliffs and sweeping sea views, Jon popped the question, and Lindsey said yes. Their special journey was made even more memorable by their stay at Exmoor Cliff Retreat, where luxury, tranquillity and natural beauty come together in perfect harmony. For this stunning couple, Highcliffe offered more than just a place to stay – it became part of their love story. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply seeking somewhere extraordinary, Exmoor Cliff Retreat is a place where cherished memories are made.
At Exmoor Cliff Retreat, serendipity has a way of finding our guests. Recently, Julie and Steve from Bristol joined Gloria and Steve from Gloucester – much-loved regulars – to celebrate their wedding anniversaries. In conversation over breakfast, they discovered something remarkable: both couples were celebrating 47 years of marriage, and both had tied the knot on the exact same day in 1977. A coincidence perhaps, but for us it’s another example of the Highcliffe Magic that makes these moments unforgettable
The Coronation of King Charles III Celebrations at Exmoor Cliff Retreat May 2023
AA Guest Accomodation of the Year 2022 England
Lyn Valley Classic - June 2022 - Guests arrive in style
Authors, Hilary Bradt, Gill and Alistair Campbell visit Exmoor Cliff Retreat to celebrate the launch of the new Bradt Guide for Mid & North Devon.
The Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Exmoor Cliff Retreat June 2022
Traveller’s Choice Best of the Best Award - Top 1% in the World and Top 25 in the UK.
Guests enjoy a mimosa breakfast to celebrate Exmoor Cliff Retreat winning a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Best of the Best Award in May 2022.
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