The Gorge and its Location

Just south of the centre of Lydford, at the bottom of the hill that acted as part of King Alfred's defences of the Saxon town is a stone bridge over the Lyd, a river that flows fast and southwards from the hills of Dartmoor.   Immediately below the bridge the river falls sharply down into the deep and beautiful, tree-lined ravine known as Lydford Gorge.

This is the deepest gorge in south-west England, and stretches a distance of about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the spectacular "Devil's Cauldron" whirlpool at the bridge end to the very fine 30-metres-tall "White Lady Waterfall" at the other end.   There are excellent beautiful walks from one end of the Gorge to the other, alongside the River Lyd and on the winding upper path that gives a view steeply down into the Gorge through the very tall and slender trees that stretch upwards to find the light.

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.   In the years at the beginning of the 19th Century during the war against Napoleon of France, Lydford Gorge became, for many travellers, a replacement for the Grand Tour of Continental Europe, and was much appreciated and valued for its grandeur and beauty.


Visiting the Gorge

Lydford Gorge is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public throughout its length during the Summer months, and open at the White-Lady (southern) end in the Autumn, Winter and Spring. There is an entrance at each end of the Gorge, and a refreshment-room / restaurant at the Devil's Cauldron (northern) end.

Please note that walking in the gorge is strenuous, with steep, narrow and uneven and sometimes slippery paths, especially along the river-side path. Effective walking boots are essential. Due to its rugged nature and steep vertical drops it is essential that children are supervised at all times.