A beautiful village on the very western fringe of Dartmoor National Park. Lydford grew on the site of a Saxon town founded by Alfred the Great in AD 890. In the centre of Lydford stands a medieval castle that was once infamous as a grim gaol. You can still trace the outlines of the original Saxon town layout.
Just behind the parish church of St Petrock are the partial ruins of a Saxon and early Norman earthwork that was the precursor of Lydford Castle. In the churchyard is the grave of George Routleigh, a watchmaker whose inscribed tombstone (now inside the church) carries a famous verse. Also inside the church is a very simple late Saxon tub font.
A short walk from the village centre is the National Trust property of Lydford Gorge, where the swiftly flowing River Lyd passes through a steep-sided valley. Over the course of 1.5 miles, the river has peaceful walks, a dramatic whirlpool known as the Devil's Cauldron, and a 30-metre waterfall known as The White Lady.
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About Lydford
Address: Lydford,
Dartmoor,
Devon,
England
Attraction Type: Village
Location: On a minor road off the A386 north of Mary Tavy. There is a car park opposite the castle.
Location map
OS: SX515836
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
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Alfred the Great (Person) - castle (Architecture) - Medieval (Time Period) - Norman (Architecture) - Saxon (Time Period) -
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Lydford Gorge - 0.8 miles (Countryside) 
Lydford, St Petrock's Church - 0.8 miles (Historic Church) 
Lydford Castle - 0.8 miles (Castle) 
Brentor Church - 3.7 miles (Historic Church)
Coombe Trenchard House and Garden - 4.2 miles (Historic House)
Windy Post Cross and Bullseye Stone - 5.9 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Merrivale Prehistoric Site - 6.1 miles (Prehistoric Site)
Wistman's Wood - 7.3 miles (Countryside) 
