At the southern end of Lydford village the River Lyd flows steeply down through a deep and beautiful, tree-lined ravine known as Lydford Gorge. It’s the deepest river gorge in the South West, is 1.5 miles (2.4km) long, and is filled with temperate rainforest, a globally rare habitat. Historically the gorge provided natural defences that was part of the key Boroughs created by Alfred the Great to protect Wessex.
At the northern end of Lydford Gorge you can explore the ravine and the Devil’s Cauldron, a large pothole in the deepest part of the gorge with a viewing platform over the river. This circular walk takes around 45 minutes.
At the southern end of the gorge you can walk down through ancient woodland to see the 30-meter-high Whitelady Waterfall, which cascades down a steep rock face to join the River Lyd. You can also take in a section of the old Great Western Railway with its cuttings now covered with dripping water and plants. A circular walk here takes around 1 hour.
Lydford Gorge has been owned by the National Trust since 1947. The gorge itself is a classic example of river gorge formation followed by river capture, when the River Lyd captured the headwaters of the River Burn, and the additional water flowing in the River Lyd helped it erode down through the rock.
During the 17th century Lydford Gorge was infamous for being the hide-out of a large family of outlaws, the Gubbins, who terrorised the neighbourhood and stole sheep from the farms of Dartmoor. At the beginning of the 19th Century, during the war against Napoleon of France, Lydford Gorge became a replacement for the Grand Tour of Continental Europe, and was much appreciated and valued for its grandeur and beauty. Today the temperate rainforest that fills the gorge makes it feel like you’ve entered a prehistoric world full of sounds, sights and smells to enthral the senses.
Key information
For opening times and prices please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge
Map with colour-coded walking routes given on entry.
Dogs welcome – please keep them on a short lead at all times and out of the river.
Devil’s Cauldron tea-room and waterfall tea-room.
Second-hand bookshop with nature corner.
Narrow paths with uneven surfaces by deep fast-flowing water.
Unsuitable for buggies or pushchairs due to terrain.
Baby carriers admitted, a limited number available on loan from visitor welcome – first come first served.
The gorge is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), please help to look after it by taking only photographs and leaving only footprints.
Accessibility
Steep routes and rugged steps. Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilets. Induction loop. Bookable Tramper available to hire March to October. Please get in touch to discuss access arrangements.
Contact Lydford Gorge
For enquiries please email [email protected] or call 01822 820320