Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, Devon

Opened in 1890, the steepest and longest waterpowered funicular in the world climbs 499ft at 30 degrees on a 862ft track, linking the towns separated by a cliff.

The emissionfree lifts use no electricity, just water extracted from the West Lyn River more than a mile away, and gravity. ■■More info: cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk