Visit The Glen Lyn Gorge
Where the once destructive waters of the East Lyn River now provide hydroelectric power for the village. Make electricity! Fire water canons! Spin water wheels! Fun in any weather for children of all ages!
The entrance to The Glen Lyn Gorge is at the road junction in Lynmouth - where the West Lyn and the East Lyn rivers meet at the high tide mark.
The Glen Lyn Gorge is quietly withdrawn from crowds and traffic, surrounded by 400 square miles of the Exmoor National Park.
www.glenlyngorge.com/Glen_Lyn_Gorge.htm
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Good Energy: 20 years and still flowing – we’re proud of our long relationship with Glen Lyn Gorge
Navigating the choppy waters of the ever-changing electricity market can be a challenge for any business but imagine what it would be like without a computer and the Internet.
Impossible? Not necessarily. One of our longest running partnerships is with the Glen Lyn Gorge hydroelectric plant in Devon. In all the time we’ve worked with them we’ve never exchanged an email. All our dealings have been through the post or over the phone because that’s the way Glen Lyn prefer it and we’re happy to accommodate that.
Glen Lyn is a small-scale hydro scheme with a capacity of 300kW, which generates 1.5 million kilowatt-hours (1.5 GWh) per year. The scheme came on line in 1987 and was the brainchild of Ken Oxenham. His son Matthew now runs the plant. He is a committed environmentalist who avoids computer use where possible; “I’ve chosen to make a principled stand on computers because of the amount of energy they use.”
For more than 20 years they have relied on us to make sure they get the best deal for their power through one of our PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements). In addition we handle Glen Lyn’s monthly ROC (Renewable Obligation Certificate) and REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) submissions to Ofgem. We ensure they arrive before the deadlines and that Matthew is paid on time.
“I stay with Good Energy because of my principles and theirs, particularly their commitment to renewable energy. I only have positive things to say about Good Energy”, says Matthew.
Our customers and generators are at the heart of everything we do at Good Energy. Our dedicated PPA team works hard to save generators time and money, providing personalised service that fits around them.
Matthew appreciates such service because it is something he practises at the Glen Lyn Gorge. The hydro plant is the centrepiece of a visitor attraction called ‘The power of water – focusing on climate science’ and it highlights the role hydroelectricity can play in reducing the environmental impact of energy.
Practising what they preach, they are half way through an upgrade of the existing hydro scheme and by 2023 hope to double capacity to 600kW. We’re proud to work with people committed to tackling climate change through sustainable energy.
Photo: Rob Farrow https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4148065
Countryside Mobility Glen Lyn Gorge is a dramatic gorge near the mouth of the River Lyn near Lynmouth on Exmoor. A number of steep paths lead to waterfalls and viewing areas with great views into the gorge, across Lynmouth and over to the Welsh coast.
The Tramper can be used on a growing range of paths around the property. The easiest route takes you up a slight incline to Moses' Pool where you can enjoy overlooking one of the lower sections of the gorge at the base of the boulder field produced by the 1952 flood disaster. A steeper woodland path takes you to the Upper Gorge and many waterfalls. Some of these areas are equipped with picnic tables.
Opening times and Tramper availability vary throughout the year due to the owner's other commitments running boat trips from Lynmouth. Telephone booking the day before a visit is therefore advised. Open most days from Easter to October but can also sometimes open in winter (phone ahead to enquire about this possibility).
PLEASE NOTE: FOR SAFETY REASONS TRAMPER USERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED. THE STEEP SLOPES AT THIS SITE MEAN THAT THE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED WEIGHT IS 20 STONE.
The Power of Water Exhibition tells the story of two great events in Lynmouth’s history: The 1952 flood disaster and the epic 1899 overland launch to Porlock of the lifeboat Louisa. See how the once destructive waters of the Glen Lyn Gorge now provide “green energy”. A manual wheelchair is provided to access this area.
For those wishing to stay and enjoy more of the beautiful Exmoor coast and countryside there is also self catering accommodation available with log fires and sea views.
There is a public pay and display car park opposite the gorge entrance and accessible toilets in Lynmouth at the National Park Visitor Centre which is also well worth a visit.
https://countrysidemobility.org/locations/glen-lyn-gorge
Exmoor National Park - Hydropower On Exmoor, the most successful electric hydro scheme to date was built in 1983 in the West Lyn Gorge at Lynmouth. This has a power output of 300 kilowatts, and each year generates 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of energy for the grid. The visitor centre there includes much of interest, including working models.
Recently, the West Lyn scheme was granted a licence to increase the energy generated.
https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/planning/planning-advice/hydropower
The Lynmouth Power Station 1890 The history of the first hydro-electric power station on the East Lyn.
http://www.lyntonandlynmouth.org.uk/about-the-area/history/item/41-the-lynmouth-power-station-1890/
