Family-friendly things to do at Lydford Gorge

View of the suspension bridge over the River Lyd surrounded by trees at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Bridge over the river at Lydford Gorge | © National Trust Images/Dianne Giles

A walk at Lydford Gorge takes you into a temperate rainforest, past cascading waterfalls and fascinating rock formations. On the way try some of our favourite '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities and get back to nature.

Planning your family visit

All facilities, including the toilets, are closed for winter
Bird hide open and birds fed twice weekly
Nature activities on chalkboards around walking trail
Unsuitable for buggies or pushchairs due to uneven terrain, narrow paths and steep slopes
The trail has steep slopes, slippery surfaces, and un-barriered drops next to the river

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.

Lydford Gorge and Whitelady Waterfall in autumn in Devon — Lydford Gorge and Whitelady Waterfall, Devon | © National Trust Images/Dianne Giles

Choice of walking trails

Railway path

Perfect for little ones to explore as this mainly flat route follows the line of the old Great Western railway to the bird hide. From here it can be made into a short circular walk with some narrower paths and steeper slopes or just return the way you came to keep it simple.

Waterfall trail

Good for a range of ages, this circular trail takes you down into the gorge, to see the 30-meter high Whitelady Waterfall. It takes around 1 hour, over pretty good paths with some slippery bare rock, and mud in places. You could also take in the bird hide and make a circular walk if you choose a different route to come out of the gorge.

Wellied feet walking along a log — Pull on your wellies for a winter wander | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Join in with '50 things to do before you're 11¾’

Lydford Gorge is a perfect place for ticking lots of things off the list. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

No. 6 Go welly wandering: Get out and about in the rain - wellies essential - and splash through the puddles and mud. Can you leave a trail of footprints? Or perhaps spot some other footprints left behind by a wild animal?
No. 19 Play Pooh sticks: The River Lyd will be flowing well after some winter rain - just right for a fast game of Pooh sticks. The suspension bridge at Whitelady Waterfall is a great place to play. Get the whole family lined up with their chosen stick to see who will win.
No. 44 Watch a bird: Why not escape to the bird hide this winter? As well as a dry place to sit - perhaps with a tasty snack - you can watch the woodland birds on the feeding station. Find the hide at the end of the railway line an easy stroll from the car park along the line of the old Great Western Railway.
No. 1 Get to know a tree: Now the trees have lost their leaves the views in the gorge can be very different. Can you see how steep the gorge is? Can you spot any funny shapes in the bark or branches?
No. 15 Go on a wintry adventure: You don’t need snow to have a wintry adventure at the gorge. On a bright frosty morning the mist hangs in the valley making it feel magical.

Planning a visit from spring

We plan to reopen from Saturday 1 March 2025. This is when the visitor welcome, tea-rooms, second-hand bookshop, and toilets will be open again. Plus, in addition to the walking trails to Whitelady Waterfall and the bird hide, the Devil's Cauldron walking trail, some seasonal routes, and the orchard will be open once more to explore.

Family with two children walking their dog on a lead up some of the narrow steps at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Family walking their dog on a lead in the depths of Lydford Gorge | © National Trust/Dianne Giles

Hike the Devil's Cauldron trail

This circular one-way route is the best way to explore the deepest part of the gorge known as the ravine. Here the river plunges and tumbles through narrow gaps and into deep potholes. During the winter closure the rangers can work on the narrow paths here and complete essential maintenance.

Visitors taking photos with mobile phones on the viewing platform of the Devil's Cauldron at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Capture the drama of the Devil's Cauldron at Lydford Gorge | © National Trust Images/John Millar

View the Devil's Cauldron

Brave the narrow rock-hewn steps onto the Devil's Cauldron viewing platform, which is suspended over the water in the depths of this natural pothole. In winter this section can flood and so the floor and walls of the viewing platform are lifted to allow the river and winter debris to pass without damaging it.

A man and two children build a den amid trees at Lydford Gorge, Devon, making a conical shape with long branches — A family build a den in the orchard meadow at Lydford Gorge, Devon. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Fun in the orchard

This is a great space to escape the crowds and there's plenty of space for picnics and free play. During most school holidays there is a family-friendly trail running too. Over winter the grass here is grazed by a flock of local Whiteface Dartmoor sheep to help improve the meadow habitat.