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Family-friendly things to do at Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge in autumn with suspension bridge over the river, Devon
Lydford Gorge, Devon, in autumn | © National Trust Images/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.

Reduced opening in winter

The waterfall trail and railway path are open for walks, the waterfall tea-room is open Friday to Sunday, 10am-2.30pm, until Sunday 13 December. Toilets are open when the tea-room is open. The Devil’s Cauldron trail, Lyd Link 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.

Planning your family visit

  • Waterfall tea-room open Friday to Sunday, 10am-2.30pm, until Sunday 13 December
  • Toilets only open when the tea-room is open
  • Learn about local folklore on chalkboards around the 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 walking trails

1.75 mile / 2.8 km

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 passing.

The white cascade of Whitelady Waterfall flows down the rock with trees around turning autumn colours of orange, gold and brown.
Whitelady Waterfall flows into an autumnal woodland. | © National Trust/Mel Peters

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

Planning a visit from spring

We plan to reopen from Monday 15 March 2027. This is when the visitor welcome, tea-rooms, second-hand bookshop, and toilets will be open again. And in addition to the walking trails to Whitelady Waterfall and the bird hide, the Devil's Cauldron walking trail, Lyd Link and some seasonal routes, plus the orchard, will be open once more to explore.

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

Discover more at Lydford Gorge

Find out when Lydford Gorge is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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