the nearby Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, to connect with the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, although neither plan ever came to fruition. On 12 January 1899, the pier was severely damaged by a storm, with another a year later. It was never repaired, and the remains were finally demolished for scrap in 1902, although some evidence of its existence can still be seen on the shoreline today. The Colonel continued pouring money into the area, in an effort to see his dream become reality. In July 1900, he was forced into bankruptcy, with debts of over £170,000. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison, for using clients' savings to fund the Woody Bay developments, and died in 1907 along with any prospect of further intensive developments around Martinhoe. Present day Woody Bay railway station is the base of the modern Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, a charitable trust which has re-opened some of the original route for steam trains. References J Travis: An Illustrated History of Lynton and Lynmouth 1770-1914 Breedon Books, 1995. J Travis: Lynton and Lynmouth, Glimpses of the Past, Breedon books, 1997. External links Exmoor national Park Bays of Devon Exmoor