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Lydford Gorge, Devon

Lydford Gorge on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon is a spectacular 2km long river gorge, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Certainly if you're at school and finding lessons about river features in geography boring, Lydford Gorge will liven things up for you. The site displays a dramatic range of features which demonstrate the working of "river capture" and gorge formation. There is the 100 foot high White Lady Waterfall, and the Devil's Cauldron, a fitting name for a series of powerful whirlpools. Geologically the waters of the gorge have exposed dark slate rock of Devonian age, around 400 million years old. This was the time period when sea creatures were making their first tentative steps on to the land.

Lydford Gorge has long been a tourist attraction. During the reign of Elizabeth I a tradition developed for young noblemen to be sent on a "grand tour" of Europe to finish their education. War with France in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries meant that the nobles had to take their tour in Britain. Lydford Gorge was one of the places they often came. Deep in the gorge, in green dim light on a bright day, it is hard to remember that you are in England.

A walk through Lydford Gorge is exciting, but the steep slopes and narrow paths can be difficult and even dangerous. The ledge at the Devil's Cauldron in particular had me clinging to the handrail. There is no fence here, and the path consists of wet slate steps about two foot wide. You can walk the whole length of the gorge on marked paths, or do shorter walks at each end, to see the White Lady Waterfall and the Devil's Cauldron. A number of emergency telephones are also provided in the gorge - mobile phones probably won't work.

 

 

The White Lady Waterfall

The National Trust own the site, and provides refreshment, shop and toilet facilities at both the White Lady and Devil's Cauldron entrances. The Trust also provides various resources for both school groups and for the general visitor, relating to geology and wildlife in the gorge. A bird hide and guided walks are available.

Opening Times:

12th March to 2nd October, open daily 10am - 5pm.

3rd to 30th October, open daily 10am - 4pm.

Parts of the gorge are closed November to February due to the weather, maintenance, higher river levels and reduced daylight. Walks to the White Lady Waterfall are possible 10.30am - 3.30pm from 2nd January to 11th March and 31st October to 31st December.

 

 

Address: Lydford Gorge, Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH

Directions: Lydford Gorge is off the A386 between Oakhampton and Tavistock. There are two entrances, the main car park and entrance at the Devil's Cauldron end of the gorge, with a second entrance at the White Lady Waterfall end. Click here for an interactive map centred on Lydford Gorge.

Access: The shop, tearooms, toilets and bird hide are wheelchair accessible. But note walking in the gorge is difficult. There are steep slopes. Paths can be narrow and sometimes slippery.

 

 

 

 

Contact:

telephone: 01822 820320

fax: 01822 822000

web site: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lydfordgorge/

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