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Lydford Gorge

Devon

The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall

Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH

View of the River Lyd flowing through a narrow slit in the rock walls of Lydford Gorge and foaming white in the Devil's Cauldron

Planning your visit

Lydford Gorge map 2026 

Lydford Gorge map 2026

Bringing your dog to Lydford Gorge 

Lydford Gorge is a three pawprint rated place. Discover how to have a dog-friendly visit, including where to walk, what to be aware of and what facilities are available for your four-legged friend.

Close-up view of a brown and white dog, held on a lead, with fallen leaves on the ground, at Clent Hills, Worcestershire

Accessibility at Lydford Gorge 

Find out about accessibility at Lydford Gorge and how to make the most of your visit to this deep river gorge filled with rare temperate rainforest habitat.

The all-terrain mobility Tramper in front of Whitelady Waterfall at Lydford Gorge, Devon

The Tramper at Lydford Gorge 

A Tramper can be hired to access Whitelady Waterfall and the bird hide in the gorge, thanks to Countryside Mobility South West.

Visitor on all-terrain mobility Tramper viewing Whitelady Waterfall in the background, Lydford Gorge, Devon

Group and school visits 

If you're looking to organise a group or educational visit please get in touch in advance by emailing lydfordgorge@nationaltrust.org.uk or calling 01822 820320.

Colourful autumn leaves fill the woodland with dark tree trunks interspersed.

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Women walking on a path through woodland tree trunk in foreground

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.

Sun dappled waterfall at Lydford Gorge, Devon

Information on ticks and Lyme disease 

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks – find out how we manage the risks at our places and find helpful links to the NHS here.

Shades of orange and golden brown fill the woodland viewed across the gorge between two moss-covered tree trunks.

Plans for the future

Reduced opening in winter

The Devil’s Cauldron trail, Lyd Link path and seasonal trails are closed for safety and essential maintenance work every winter. From Monday 2 November 2026, only the waterfall trail and railway path will be open for walks, all other facilities - including the toilets - will be closed until we reopen in spring 2027.

Ranger in red top working with a pick axe to repair a path at Lydford Gorge

Our work at Lydford Gorge 

At Lydford Gorge in Devon we've closed a section of the gorge walking trail, which has become unsafe due to the effects of a changing climate, to help us protect the rare temperate rainforest it contains.

Three rangers working from ropes on the steep slopes of Lydford Gorge, Devon
Two visitors walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal with the abbey ruins in the background

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