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Lydford Gorge
The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall
Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH
Important notice
Limited opening over winter - see opening times for more information. During periods of high wind and rainfall trees may drop branches or fall over making it hazardous to walk in the gorge. Please check the weather before you travel.
Opening times for 21 December 2024
Asset Opening time Waterfall car park 11:00 - Dusk Waterfall trail 11:00 - 15:00 Waterfall tea-room Closed Devil's Cauldron car park Closed Devil’s Cauldron trail Closed Devil's Cauldron tea-room Closed Second-hand bookshop Closed Toilets Closed Over winter we close for safety and essential maintenance work. The waterfall trail and railway path will remain open for walks, all other facilities, including the toilets, will be closed until we reopen in spring 2025.
MTWTFSS2526272829301234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303112345OpenPartially openClosedRecommended donation – winter entry
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £6.00 Child £3.00 Family £15.00 Family, one adult £9.00 Lydford Gorge (admission from Saturday 1 March)
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £13.20 £12.00 Child £6.60 £6.00 Family £33.00 £30.00 Family, one adult £19.80 £18.00 Group Adult £11.40 Group Child £5.70 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop at Devil's Cauldron entrance. Pop-up bookshop at Waterfall entrance
Picnic area
At Devil's Cauldron entrance in the orchard, 3 picnic tables and space for blankets. At Waterfall entrance, 5 picnic tables on a grass bank next to the car park, plus 3 tables undercover in pop-up bookshop
Car park
Limited spaces for long vehicles and not suitable for caravans. Free parking, no overnight parking allowed
Tea-room
Devil's Cauldron tea-room serving hot and cold drinks, light bites, hot lunches, bakes, and cream teas. Waterfall tea-room, a takeaway offer including hot and cold drinks, snacks, and bakes
Cycle parking
Available at both entrances, outside and to the right of visitor welcome
Toilet
In the courtyard behind visitor welcome at the Devil's Cauldron entrance, and on the rear of the building in the Waterfall car park
Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome - please keep them on a short lead at all times and out of the river
Steep routes and rugged steps. Narrow paths with uneven surfaces by deep fast-flowing water. Poor phone signal. Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilets. Induction loop. Bookable Tramper. Please get in touch to discuss access arrangements - email lydfordgorge@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01822 820320.
Accessible toilet
Partly accessible toilet in the courtyard behind visitor welcome at the Devil's Cauldron entrance, and on the rear of the building in the Waterfall car park
Level access to shop
Second-hand bookshop is 15 meters from accessible parking spaces in the Devil's Cauldron car park
Designated parking
Two accessible parking spaces at each entrance
Powered mobility vehicle available
Tramper available to hire March to October, please book in advance
Powered mobility vehicle available - more informationInduction loop
Fixed induction loops at all till points
Seating available
Seating available at visitor welcome, inside and outside both tea-rooms and in the bookshop. Benches, well spaced, at points around the Devil's Cauldron and Waterfall walking trails
Large print (guide or menu)
Large print menu for Devil's Cauldron tea-room
Steps/uneven terrain
Step-free route to bird hide and Whitelady Waterfall - rough ground and steep slopes in places. Please get in touch to discuss visiting with your own mobility aid or any other access arrangements
Level access to food outlet
Devil's Cauldron tea-room is through visitor welcome, across a section of rough stone paving then 15 meters down a sloped gravel path. Waterfall tea-room is 10 meters from the Waterfall entrance car park along a gently sloping paved path
Wheelchairs available
Available from Devil's Cauldron and Waterfall visitor welcome for transfer to tea-rooms and toilets, not suitable to take into the gorge
By road
From Exeter and Okehampton. Follow brown signs to exit the A30 at Sourton Down and take A386 towards Tavistock, turn off onto unnamed road for Lydford village. The Devil's Cauldron entrance is on your right just after leaving the village, the Waterfall entrance is one mile further on.
From Tavistock. Either take the A386 and follow brown signs to turn off onto unnamed road for Lydford village and reach the Devil's Cauldron entrance first. Or head out of Tavistock on Drake Road past Brentor and and reach the Waterfall entrance first.
The two entrances to Lydford Gorge are just over one mile apart.
Parking. Free. Designated accessible parking available. No overnight parking allowed.
Sat Nav: EX20 4BH for the Devil's Cauldron entrance. EX20 4BL for the Waterfall entrance. (Please be aware that some mobile devices do not take you to Lydford Gorge when selected, please use the post code.)
On foot
Via Blackdown Moor from Mary Tavy or as road directions.
Please note the road from the Devil's Cauldron entrance to the Waterfall entrance is narrow with no footpath, so please avoid walking this if you can.
By train
Nearest train station is Okehampton, 10 miles from Lydford Gorge. Plan your train journey with the Dartmoor Line
Onward travel is possible by bus, the Dartline Coaches 118 bus picks up from the train station every two hours, or by bicycle on National Cycle Network 27. There is no taxi rank at Okehampton station.
By bus
Services between Okehampton (including train station) and Tavistock stop at both entrances to Lydford Gorge.
Dartline Coaches 118. Alight at Lydford Gorge main entrance for Devil's Cauldron entrance. Alight at Lydford Gorge lower entrance for Waterfall entrance. Plan your bus journey with traveline south west
By bicycle
Cycle parking available at both entrances, outside and to the right of visitor welcome.
Both entrances to Lydford Gorge are on Route 27 of the National Cycle Network (NCN27). Approximately 10 miles from Okehampton and 7 miles from Tavistock. This route has some traffic-free sections and some road sections. Find out more about NCN27
Plan your route to Lydford Gorge using the CycleStreets journey planner. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
Plan your CycleStreets journey to the Devil's Cauldron entrance
Plan your CycleStreets journey to the Waterfall entrance
Cycle hire is available from Devon Cycle Hire at Sourton Down and Granite Way Cycles in Okehampton by the train station.
Larger vehicles
We have limited spaces for long vehicles and we're unable to welcome caravans.
Due to narrow access, the Highways Agency recommends the maximum coach size is 43 seats, 10.5m x 2.4m. There is a 17-ton weight restriction on the old railway bridge near the Waterfall entrance (SX502831).
Planning your visit
Winter opening
From Monday 4 November 2024 only the trails to Whitelady Waterfall and the bird hide are open. The Devil's Cauldron trail and seasonal trails are shut every winter for safety and essential maintenance work. This can include tree work, path work and rock face inspections, so please do not pass any locked gates. We plan to reopen from Saturday 1 March 2025.
Article
Bringing your dog to Lydford Gorge
Lydford Gorge is a two pawprint rated place. Discover how to have a dog-friendly visit, including where to walk, what to be aware of and what facilities are available for your four-legged friend.
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The Tramper at Lydford Gorge
The Tramper will be available to hire again from Saturday 1 March 2025. If you’d like to use your own mobility vehicle to access Whitelady Waterfall please get in touch for further information.
Article
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Highlights
Gorge
Section closed for safety and maintenance over winter.
Whitelady Waterfall
A 30-metre-high cascade that flows down the cliff face into the River Lyd.
Devil's Cauldron
The viewing platform for the Devil’s Cauldron is now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back in spring.
Bird hide
A small hide looking out over the woodland with a feeding station attracting a range of birds.
Orchard
The orchard meadow is now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back in spring.
Eating
Devil's Cauldron tea-room and waterfall tea-room are both now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back in spring.
Second-hand bookshop
The bookshop is now closed for winter. To arrange a donation please get in touch.
Things to see and do
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Things to see and do at Lydford Gorge
Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature with a hike in a prehistoric world where the River Lyd crashes, tumbles and trickles around every corner and delights the senses.
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Family-friendly things to do at Lydford Gorge
At Lydford Gorge the best winter adventure is to see Whitelady Waterfall. After heavy rain it’ll be at its roaring best. Get wellies on to splash your way around some fun ’50 things’ activities.
Top trails
Trail
Lydford Gorge Waterfall trail
This rugged circular walk descends into steep-sided Lydford Gorge, to the foot of the 30-metre high Whitelady Waterfall, before returning through oak woods abundant with wildlife.
Trail
Lydford Gorge Railway Path
Take an easy stroll along the line of the old Great Western Railway, passing through deep cuttings that have now returned to nature.
Winter closures
During winter the Devil’s Cauldron trail and seasonal trails are closed for safety and essential maintenance work. This can include tree work, path work and rock face inspections, so please do not pass any locked gates.
Eating and shopping
Donating second-hand books
We'd love your unwanted books, puzzles and card games. If you'd like to make a donation please email lydfordgorge@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01822 820320 and leave a message so that we can organise a suitable time. Every penny we make in the bookshop is spent looking after Lydford Gorge, so thank you for helping.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Lydford Gorge
This steep-sided river gorge, carved into the western edge of Dartmoor, has been drawing visitors in search of the picturesque waterfall since Victorian times. Around every corner the River Lyd plunges, tumbles, swirls and gently meanders as it travels though ancient oak woodland, abundant with wildlife.
Hiking down into the gorge is a challenging and rewarding adventure, be prepared for strenuous climbs and rugged ground - sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended. There are two main walking trails. Explore the ancient woodland and railway to take in the 30m-high Whitelady Waterfall. Or descend into the deepest part of the gorge and brave the Devil’s Cauldron pothole on a platform over the river.
The gorge is filled with temperate rainforest, which is now a globally rare habitat. It’s designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna. Please respect the habitats in the gorge by taking only photographs and leaving only footprints.
History
Article
A history of Lydford Gorge
Discover the history of Lydford Gorge from its earliest fossil formations and importance to the Anglo Saxons and Vikings, to how it influenced the Picturesque and inspired artists.
Our work
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Our work at Lydford Gorge
At Lydford Gorge in Devon we've closed a section of the gorge walking trail, which has become unsafe, while we assess the effects of a changing climate on the rare temperate rainforest it contains.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Lydford Gorge.