Family-friendly things to do at Lydford Gorge

Family with dog on lead walking along the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon — A family walking along the River Lyd at Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust/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

Free entry for under 5s
Map with colour-coded walking routes given on entry
Baby-changing facilities at both toilet locations
High chairs and children's meals available in the tea-rooms, Devil's Cauldron tea-room has a bigger range of food choices
Free seasonal spotter sheets to pick up in visitor welcome
Nature area in the second-hand bookshop, with seating, and childrens books for sale
Baby carriers admitted, a limited number available on loan from visitor welcome - first come first served
Unsuitable for buggies or pushchairs due to uneven terrain, narrow paths and steep slopes

No swimming at Lydford Gorge

We ask visitors not to swim, however tempting, as it's not safe. If something were to go wrong the area is very inaccessible. Please avoid disturbing the wildlife and special habitats of the gorge and don't go in.

Visitors by the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon, standing on a grassy bank with large trees behind and flat shore on the nearer bank — Visitors admiring the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust Images/John Millar

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 a break half-way around to stop by the bird hide and see what's visiting the feeding station.

Devil's Cauldron trail

This slightly more challenging trail takes you into the deepest part of the gorge on a 45-minute circular one-way route. The paths can be steep, narrow and slippery in places. There the seven narrow steps, with a handrail but no barrier, that take you into the Devil's Cauldron pothole on a platform over the water - however this section can be avoided. Once in the cauldron there are dripping moss-covered rock on all sides and the water roars past just below your feet.

Tall white waterfall dropping almost vertically through the middle of green trees, feeding into a calm, reflective pool — Whitelady Waterfall in summer, Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust Images/Paul Stapleton

Summer fun

Lydford Gorge is a temperate rainforest, a habitat that is globally rare. Nearly every surface is covered with plants, moss, lichen, and liverworts. As the River Lyd and Whitelady Waterfall crash through the gorge they release moisture into the air and help to keep it lush and green. While on a walk, look out for chalkboards to learn some river factoids, plus try out some fun, moss-themed activities.

The orchard meadow at the Devil’s Cauldron entrance has space to explore and plenty of room for picnics.

Stop by the second-hand bookshop and leave us a thought or a drawing on our Comment Tree.

Moss and more trail

Saturday 20 July to Monday 2 September, running every day between 10am and 4pm.

Free event (admission applies), booking not needed. Pick up a trail sheet from the visitor welcome team.

Follow the trail around the orchard to investigate the tiny world of moss and how by making tiny changes we can help tackle climate change.

Please note there's some rough ground and slopes, sorry it's not buggy friendly, dogs on leads are welcome.

More about events

Rainy day adventures

Don't let rain keep you inside – being a temperate rainforest, Lydford Gorge is real adventure when it’s raining. So put on your waterproofs and get outside. There are plenty of puddles to splash in and the raindrops on the river make some mesmerising patterns. Water trickles down the rock faces and over the ferns and mosses as it makes it way to the river, creating an ever-changing soundscape as you walk through.

Try out some ‘owl ears’ to get the full effect. Cup your hands behind your ears and turn you head to intensify the different sound around you.

Family standing on bridge looking for fish in the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Family looking for fish in the river at Lydford Gorge | © National Trust/Dianne Giles

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 this summer:

No. 8 Spot a fish: Brown trout live in the River Lyd and can often be seen swimming in the deeper pools. To be in with the best chance of spotting a fish, choose a dry day and from a high spot next to the river look somewhere the sun is not reflecting off the water.
No. 19 Play Pooh sticks: The suspension bridge at Whitelady Waterfall is a great place to play Pooh sticks. The whole family can line up with their chosen stick to see whose will win. If you also choose to hike the Devil's Cauldron trail then you could play Pooh sticks on all the bridges and see which is your favourite.
No. 4 Build a den: Try using the trunk of one of the bigger trees in the orchard meadow to build a den against.
No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure: The Devil’s Cauldron trail and Whitelady Waterfall trail both have some lovely temperate rainforest habitat. See mosses, liverworts, and ferns, that love the damp and shady environment on the Devil's Cauldron trail. Descend into the ancient woodland with its tall trees on the Waterfall trail. Follow the colour-coded route on the map to find your way.