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The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall
Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH
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.
Ticket type | Gift aid | Standard |
---|---|---|
Adult | £6.00 | |
Child | £3.00 | |
Family | £15.00 | |
Family, one adult | £9.00 |
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 |
Second-hand bookshop at Devil's Cauldron entrance. Pop-up bookshop at Waterfall entrance
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
Limited spaces for long vehicles and not suitable for caravans. Free parking, no overnight parking allowed
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
Available at both entrances, outside and to the right of visitor welcome
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 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.
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
Second-hand bookshop is 15 meters from accessible parking spaces in the Devil's Cauldron car park
Two accessible parking spaces at each entrance
Tramper available to hire March to October, please book in advance
Powered mobility vehicle available - more informationFixed induction loops at all till points
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 menu for Devil's Cauldron tea-room
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
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
Available from Devil's Cauldron and Waterfall visitor welcome for transfer to tea-rooms and toilets, not suitable to take into the gorge
Follow the brown signs from the A30 or A386. Lydford Gorge is situated half way between Okehampton and Tavistock. The Devil's Cauldron entrance is just west of Lydford village the Waterfall entrance is 1 mile further on.
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.)
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 do avoid walking this if you can.
Okehampton, 10 miles
Services between Okehampton (including train station) and Tavistock stop at both entrances to Lydford Gorge.
Dartline Coaches 118. Visit www.travelinesw.com for times. Alight at Lydford Gorge main entrance for Devil's Cauldron entrance. Alight at Lydford Gorge lower entrance for Waterfall entrance.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Section closed for safety and maintenance over winter.
A 30-metre-high cascade that flows down the cliff face into the River Lyd.
The viewing platform for the Devil’s Cauldron is now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back in spring.
A small hide looking out over the woodland with a feeding station attracting a range of birds.
The orchard meadow is now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back in spring.
Devil's Cauldron tea-room and waterfall tea-room are both now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back in spring.
The bookshop is now closed for winter. To arrange a donation please get in touch.
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.
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.
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.
Take an easy stroll along the line of the old Great Western Railway, passing through deep cuttings that have now returned to nature.
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.
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.
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
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.
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.
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.
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Lydford Gorge.
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.