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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. Perfect for a nature-filled family adventure.

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 for free from visitor welcome - first come first served
  • Unsuitable for buggies, pushchairs or bikes due to uneven terrain, narrow paths and steep slopes

Choice of walking trails

1 mile / 1.6 km

Perfect for little ones

The railway path is a mainly flat route that follows the line of the old Great Western railway to the bird hide and takes around 15 minutes. From here it can be made into a short circular walk with some narrower paths and steeper slopes through the woodland or just return the way you came to keep it simple.

The railway path to the bird hide, Lydford Gorge, Devon
Follow the line of the old Great Western Railway, Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Be aware

On the Devil's Cauldron trail there are seven narrow steps, with a handrail but no barrier, that take you into the pothole on a platform over the water. There is an overhang above the steps so we don't recommend taking backpack child carriers down. This short section can be avoided, or the party can take it in turns to go down.

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 about some of the flora and fauna in the gorge, plus try out the fun 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.

Lydford Gorge A to Z Challenge

Running daily 10am-4.30pm, until Sunday 13 July.

Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor welcome before you head off on your walk. Then see if you can spot something that begins with every letter of the alphabet, you may need to get creative. There are some other challenges to have a go at on your way too.

Choose your own adventure trail

Thursday 17 July to Sunday 7 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, answering questions and playing games, to follow your own path on this temperate rainforest adventure.

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

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 sounds 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’ at Lydford Gorge

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 standing on the new railway inspired bridge at Pixie Glen bridge in Lydford Gorge, Devon

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