Lydford Gorge (National Trust), Lydford, Dartmoor National Park

Lydford Gorge (National Trust), Lydford, Dartmoor National Park

[Main photo: view of the path running alongside the River Lyd in Lydford Gorge. Browse the images in the photo gallery to see Lydford Gorge through the seasons]

 

The highest natural waterfall in South West England

Lydford Gorge is a major visitor attraction in Dartmoor National Park. On the outskirts of Lydford, running down the western border of the park, the gorge is managed by the National Trust. The gorge is home to the thunderous Devil's Cauldron and the highest natural waterfall in South West England. The circular walk around the lip and floor of the gorge is an extraordinary experience.

 

Location of Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge is located on the western border of Dartmoor National Park roughly half way between Okehampton and Tavistock. The gorge is at the southern end of Lydford village. The A386 is just to the east and Dartmoor’s high moor rises beyond that.

We’ve positioned Lydford Gorge on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.

 

Directions to, and parking at, Lydford Gorge

To visit, head for Lydford via the A386 that skirts the western side of Dartmoor. As is the case with most National Trust properties, Lydford Gorge is well signposted.

There are two entrances and car parks.

The Devil’s Cauldron entrance and car park is at the northern end of the gorge closest to the centre of the village. There’s a visitor centre, shop, tea room, toilets and kids' play area.

The Waterfall entrance and car park is at the southern end. Again, there are toilets and refreshments available.

We’d recommend starting from the Devil’s Cauldron entrance if the gorge is fully open. Check the National Trust’s Lydford Gorge website for further info as they shut some routes after bad weather or during winter months when light hours are short and the weather more demanding. Note that some trails are still open in winter. 

 

Lydford Gorge

The River Lyd rises on Dartmoor's high north plateau between Corn Ridge and Great Links Tor. It flows fast down the flank of the moors to Lydford where it has cut a gorge and steep-sided wooded valley into the landscape. Waterfalls cascade from the valley walls. Water thunders and rolls across polished rock.

The gorge is one of Dartmoor’s many steep-sided wooded valleys (see below for more). It’s a great example of temperate rainforest.  Look out for the mosses and lichens on the rocks and trees.

The White Lady Waterfall is the highest natural waterfall in South West England. It’s located at the southern end of the gorge.

Tunnel Falls is about half way up the gorge. At Tunnel Falls, the gorge walls tower above you and the river roars below. You walk this section of the gorge on an elevated walkway before passing through a short tunnel cut through rock after which Tunnel Falls is named. The vertical rock walls are particularly impressive here.

Devil’s Cauldron. Devil's Cauldron is at the upper end of the gorge. The river rages through a narrow stretch of rock. Metal walkways run above the water. The power and noise of the water is intoxicating.

Tucker’s Pool. This is at the top of the gorge near Lydford Viaduct. You pass under the pretty bridge that connects Lydord Gorge with the main village.

 

Recommended route around Lydford Gorge for the first time

Our recommended route is a full loop of the gorge. Again, check the National Trust’s Lydford Gorge website for further info as they shut some routes after bad weather or during winter months when light hours are short and the weather more demanding.

Start from the main Devil’s Cauldron entrance that's just down the road from English Heritage's Lydford Castle (English Heritage) and Lydford St Petroc's Church. Show your National Trust member card, or buy a ticket, in the office by the shop. We've walked here dozens of times over the years and the staff have always provided a map of the walk.

Leave the ticket office and you'll pass a toilet block and tea room before you pick up signs on the lip of the gorge that guide you one way along the upper wall of Lydford Gorge to the area at the top of Lydford Gorge White Lady Waterfall.

Now descend to the riverside by the gorgeous White Lady Waterfall. There are two paths on which you can descend. One is steep and direct. The other is more gentle but takes a little longer to walk.

From White Lady Waterfall, you cross a bridge and then follow the west bank of the Lyd on a dramatic path. Be careful as it can get slippery when wet and, in parts, there are pretty big drops by the side of the path. As you head up the river, you move through breathtaking scenery. Gorge walls tower above you. The river roars below. The highlight, arguably, is the Devil's Cauldron at the upper end of the gorge. The river rages through a narrow stretch of rock. Metal walkways run above the water. The power and noise of the water is intoxicating. From the Devil's Cauldron area, a path ascends to the tea room.

We've walked this route on many occasions. Depending on your pace, it takes between three and four hours. Cream tea or ice cream is obligatory afterwards.

 

Other routes within Lydford Gorge

As is the case with all valleys on Dartmoor, you can explore them on many routes. Here are other routes.

 

Waterfall Trail

Start at Waterfall car park and entrance at the southern end of the gorge. Follow the path that runs under the railway path/bridge.

You have two choices for the descent. One is a steep path that zig-zags down to the foot of the White Lady Waterfall. The other is a more gentle descent that takes you to a pretty area on a bank of the River Lyd from which you wander to the waterfall. It's a quite stunning sight, especially after a period of heavy rain on the high moor.

Return on either route.

 

Devil’s Cauldron Trail

Start from the main Devil’s Cauldron entrance that's just down the road from English Heritage's Lydford Castle (English Heritage) and Lydford St Petroc's Church. Show your National Trust member card, or buy a ticket, in the office by the shop.

Leave the ticket office and you'll pass a toilet block and cafe before you pick up signs on the lip of the gorge that guide you one way along the upper wall of Lydford Gorge.

You’ll come to a fork in the path. One way takes you along the top of Lydford Gorge as described in our recommended route. The other takes you down to the River Lyd. Head down to the valley floor. Cross the bridge and turn right towards the Devil’s Cauldron.

At the upper end of the valley floor is the Devil's Cauldron where water powers through a narrow neck of rock. It's amazing. We'd also suggest you Facebook the National Trust's Lydford Gorge videos to see this place after really heavy rain when it's closed to the public.

From the Devil's Cauldron, follow the path that climbs to the tea room.

 

Lydford Gorge Trail

Start from the main Devil’s Cauldron entrance that's just down the road from English Heritage's Lydford Castle (English Heritage) and Lydford St Petroc's Church. Show your National Trust member card, or buy a ticket, in the office by the shop.

Leave the ticket office and you'll pass a toilet block and cafe before you pick up signs on the lip of the gorge that guide you one way along the upper wall of Lydford Gorge to the area at the top of Lydford Gorge White Lady Waterfall.

Again, note that this is a one way walk. The paths get narrow so it's important you complete the walk in the right direction!

From there, the path drops to the valley floor. As mentioned above, you have two choices for the descent. One is a steep path that zig-zags down to the foot of the White Lady Waterfall. The other is a more gentle descent that takes you to a pretty area on a bank of the River Lyd from which you wander to the waterfall. It's a quite stunning sight, especially after a period of heavy rain on the high moor.

Cross the wooden bridge and follow the path that runs up the side of the River Lyd. There are hand rails and special walkways in sections of the gorge and it can be slippery owing to spray from the river. We've walked with kids as young as four so it's not difficult but take care as there are some big drops.

The gorge becomes increasingly beautiful, and loud, the further up you go. The whirlpools below huge vertical rock faces at the Tunnel Falls are superb.

Cross the bridge before the Devil’s Cauldron and head on up to the tea room.

It’s likely you’ll take this route if they’ve shut the Devil’s Cauldron section of the gorge. This happens if they’re working on the area or after bad weather.

 

Railway Line

Start at Waterfall car park and entrance at the southern end of the gorge. Follow the path that takes you up onto the old railway line.

Walk to the bird hide and then drop down to the White Lady Waterfall.

It’s then a stiff yomp back up to your starting point on one of the two paths mentioned above.

 

Views of Lydford Gorge

At points there are great views from the path that runs along the top of the gorge.

White Lady Waterfall view. This is the most photographed view in Lydford Gorge. 

Views along the valley floor. The path follows the course of the River Lyd. The views at Tunnel Falls are great. Look out for the mosses and lichens on the rocks and trees.

Devil’s Cauldron. The views at the upper end of the valley floor at the Devil's Cauldron where water powers through a narrow neck of rock are amazing.

 

The area around Lydford Gorge

Once you've finished at the gorge, pop up to English Heritage's Lydford Castle. Lydford Castle is an English Heritage property at the heart of this beautiful and historically important village on the western border of Dartmoor National Park. According to English Heritage, 'Lydford Castle was probably built about 1195 to serve as a prison'. During the medieval period, conditions at the prison were notoriously bad.

The Castle Inn pub is next door so pop in for a drink and bite to eat.

Brentor. Rising from a patchwork of fields in countryside close to the most westerly area of moorland on Dartmoor at Black Down and Gibbet Hill, Brentor is a famous local landmark topped by a hillfort and church.

Tavistock. Part of a rare UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tavistock is located on the western border of Dartmoor National Park and the eastern border of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's an amazing area that relatively few people know about. Discover the town's fascinating past. Explore abbey ruins and learn why the area was so important to the international mining industry. Spend some time in Tavistock Museum. Walk the wild western flank of Dartmoor which has some of the most stunning tors in the National Park. Cycle Drake's Trail to Plymouth. Relax in the town's many pubs, restaurants and cafes. Shop in Tavistock Pannier Market. Visit local tourist attractions including Lydford Gorge (National Trust) and Buckland Abbey (National Trust), Morwellham Quay and the brilliant Tamar Trails Centre

Sourton Tors. Sourton is a small village on the A386 road that skirts the western side of Dartmoor National Park's high moors. Sourton Tors are a collection of rocky outcrops that rise on steps of moorland above the village. The number of outcrops and the fact that they are dispersed across steps of moorland make the tors particularly impressive. What makes them essential visiting is the huge view west over the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into Cornwall. The location is magnificent at sunset and perfect for a summer picnic.

Okehampton. Okehampton sits below the highest ground on Dartmoor and in southern England. If you want to walk the National Park's highest peaks then Okehampton is an ideal base. In addition to walking, Okehampton offers a range of other outdoor activities from cycling to abseiling, horse riding to wild swimming Visit the many tourist attractions in the local area including Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) and the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Lydford Gorge (National Trust) and Castle Drogo (National Trust). Rivers flow from the high moor to cut amazing river valleys and feed reservoirs. The Upper West Okement Valley and Meldon Reservoir are remarkable. The town is located by the A30 and provides easy access to the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bodmin Moor and the North Cornwall coastline. The vast low tide beaches at Bude are 45 minutes away. Follow the A386 to RHS Garden Rosemoor and North Devon

The Granite Way. The Granite Way is an 11 miles or 18 kilometres multi-use recreation route running between Okehampton and Lydford on the north west fringe of Dartmoor National Park. The Granite Way was fully opened at the beginning of 2014. The entire route is now off-road so it's ideal for family bike trips in the area. We've cycled the trail with young children on numerous occasions. It's also relatively easy to walk it as the surface is flat and true. There are some exceptionally beautiful views. Highlights include the stretch of track over Meldon Viaduct and Lake Viaduct.

 

Places to eat and drink near Lydford Gorge

Tea room on site. There’s a great tea room and outdoor seating at the Devil’s Cauldron entrance to Lydford Gorge.

The Castle Inn is just up the road by English Heritage’s Lydford Castle.

The Dartmoor Inn is located by the A386 at the north turning to Lydford.

Lydford Farm Shop is across the road from The Dartmoor Inn.

Bearslake Inn. Follow the A386 north in the direction of Okehampton and you come to the pretty Bearslake Inn.

The Highwayman Inn. Beyond that is one of the UK’s most eccentric pubs. The Highwayman Inn is situated by the A386 in Sourton.

Okehampton is a major Dartmoor gateway town. There are plenty of cafes and pubs in which to eat and drink. We’d suggest you have a wander and take your pick. It’s a small place.

Tavistock is another major Dartmoor gateway town. There are plenty of cafes and pubs in which to eat and drink. Again, we’d suggest you have a wander and take your pick. It’s a small place.

 

Other gorges, cleaves and valleys in Dartmoor National Park

Lydford Gorge is one of many amazing gorges or wooded valleys that fringe the plateaus of Dartmoor National Park. Tavy Cleave and Meldon Woods are nearby. Also visit Teign Gorge and Dart Gorge, Lustleigh Cleave and Dewerstone Valley.

Tavy Cleave. Cut by the River Tavy, tors rise high above the valley floor. Remarkable place that’s popular with walkers, photographers and swimmers.

Meldon Woods. The West Okement River flows from Dartmoor’s north moor past the famous Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve to Meldon Reservoir. From there, it flows under Meldon Viaduct to Meldon Woods. These woods are known for their bluebells which are normally at their peak in the first half of May.

The Teign Gorge. In the north eastern section of Dartmoor near Chagford.

The Dart Gorge is located in the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park near the village Holne and above the national park gateway town Ashburton.

Lustleigh Cleave/Bovey Valley Woodlands. Lustleigh Cleave and the Bovey Woodlands are located in the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park near the village Lustleigh and the national park gateway town Bovey Tracey.

Dewerstone Valley/North Wood (The Dewerstone area). This stunning valley is cut by the River Plym. It’s famous for its crags or vertical rock walls that are popular with climbers. We recommend wandering up to the Dewerstone Rock and then looping around Cadworthy Wood and North Wood via Cadover Bridge. Great circular walk that enables you to explore multiple woods.

West Cleave/Halstock Wood. Extraordinary place that few people explore. Moor Brook and the East Okement River meet at the bottom of West Cleave and continue to the northern border of Dartmoor National Park and Okehampton.

Belstone Cleave/Skaigh Woods. Belstone is a gateway village to Dartmoor’s north moor and some of the national park’s best tors. The village also overlooks a heavily wooded river valley. Enjoy a circular walk to Sticklepath and back.

 

Other waterfalls in Dartmoor National Park

Canonteign Falls. Canonteign Falls is one of Dartmoor’s most popular family visitor attractions. Located on the eastern border of the national park near Bovey Tracey, it’s easily accessible from Exeter, The English Riviera and South Devon. Home to the highest waterfall in England (as opposed the highest natural waterfall), it’s a stunning place with beautiful woodland, lakes and sculptures. There’s a great cafe, shop and kids’ play areas on site. They’ve expanded the attraction over the years and added lots of new things to do so you can easily spend a day enjoying the place. If you live in the West Country, or visit regularly, we’d recommend buying an annual membership to see the country park change with the seasons through spring, summer and autumn. The wider area is packed with things to do as well.

Becky Falls. Becky Falls Woodland Park is one of Dartmoor's most popular family attractions. Most people visit to experience its waterfalls. The upper, or main, waterfalls are the highlight. That said, we really enjoy following the Becka Brook downstream to the lower waterfalls. This section of the woodland park is the most wild. If you can, visit after a period of rain. The noise is intoxicating. The waterfalls are powered by the Becka Brook. This brook rises on moorland between, roughly speaking, Haytor Rocks and Widecombe-in-the-Moor. It flows through Becky Falls Woodland Park into Houndtor Wood and joins the River Bovey in the Bovey Valley near Hisley Bridge.

East Dart River Waterfall. The East Dart River rises on Dartmoor's high north plateau near Whitehorse Hill and Cranmere Pool. From this boggy, flat ground, the river flows south past Black Hill and Cut Hill to Sandy Hole Pass. Beyond this, it curves around Winney's Down and water tumbles over rocks to form the East Dart River Waterfall. It's a beautiful, remote spot about two miles north west of Postbridge. It's a great place to which to walk as part of a circular yomp from Postbridge. You might also see people wild swimming in the water downstream of the waterfall in summer months.