Pictures of Lydford
in the county of Devon
About Lydford
This delightful town lies on the fringes of Dartmoor. It was fortified by the Anglo-Saxons against the Danes, and it was one of four places in the county of Devon to mint coins. Lydford in the Middle-Ages was perhaps best known as the headquarters of the tin-miners who virtually ruled Dartmoor.
One of the town's most fascinating features is the strong fragment of a castle of the late 12th century. The castle was built on the orders of King John and given to William Bruere, later it passed to King Henry III who gave it to his brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall in 1337. The fortunes of the castle fluctuated and in 1512 it was described as "one of the most heinous and detestable buildings in the realm" at this time it was being used as a prison. Amongst it inmates was Richard Strode MP, thrown in by the tinners through the introduction of a bill not to their liking. The ruin is now in the care of English Heritage and is open to public view.
The stunning countryside surrounding Lydford is mostly lovely pastoral countryside which hides a wealth of historic farms and cottages. Its leafy lanes offer peaceful walks, but the main attraction continues to be magnificent Lydford Gorge and the relic of Lydford Castle. The church though is worth more than a second glance, this has a wonderful screen from 1904, carved bench-ends and a graveyard covered with graves and tombs of centuries.
Lydford makes a pleasant place to stay whilst exploring the wonderful landscape of the Dartmoor National Park.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Lydford
| Lydford Castle | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| Lydford Gorge | (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre | (6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Tavistock Abbey | (6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Okehampton Castle | (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Grey Wethers Stone Circle | (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| The Nine Maidens Stone Circle | (7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Fernworthy Stone Circle | (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Dartmoor National Park | (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Launceston Castle | (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Buckland Abbey | (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Grimspound | (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Dartmeet | (12.3 miles, 19.7 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Spinster's Rock | (12.4 miles, 19.9 km, direction E) | Pictures |
All attractions in LydfordAll attractions in DevonComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Lydford
Tavistock, a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction S)
This pleasant market town plays host to what is possibly Devon's most entertaining annual fair, the Goose Fair, normally...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Okehampton, in the county of Devon (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)
There has been a settlement at Okehampton since the Bronze-Age, later it became a prosperous Saxon town with the Saxon Lords being overthrown at the time of the Conquest.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Princetown, in the county of Devon (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SE)
Princetown is the highest village within the Dartmoor National Park, some call it the bleakest centre of the moors which is probably largely due to the town being the home of notorious Dartmoor Prison.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Two Bridges, in the county of Devon (8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction SE)
Two Bridges is the junction of the two major routes across central Dartmoor, and thus attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Postbridge, in the county of Devon (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction SE)
Postbridge is a tiny hamlet, yet this richly wooded area, at the heart of the moor has become a natural starting point for the thousands of visitors who annually come to explore the splendour and wonders of the moor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Gidleigh, in the county of Devon (10.2 miles, 16.3 km, direction E)
The small wooded village of Gidleigh stands in superb wooded countryside at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Yelverton, in the county of Devon (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction S)
Yelverton, by-passed by the picturesque River Meavy is situated on the south-western fringes of Dartmoor. It is a quaint little town surrounded by fine scenery with easy access to some of the loveliest places on Dartmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Launceston, in the county of Cornwall (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction W)
There is a restless beauty about this stunning region, it has constantly changing vista's, the beautiful stone of enchanting houses glows in the warmth of the sun.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chagford, in the county of Devon (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction E)
With haunting scenery, quaint cottages, pretty streets and alleyways Chagford has something for everyone.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Dartmeet, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (12.3 miles, 19.7 km, direction SE)
A popular tourist and beauty spot on Dartmoor. It is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Callington, in the county of Cornwall (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction SW)
The little town of Callington can be found a short distance from the River Tamar and is close to the River Lynher, in a quiet region which was once known for its prosperous tin mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Drewsteignton, in the county of Devon (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction E)
This attractive village is one of the most beautifully laid out of all Devon villages with pretty cottages set around a fine village square.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Buckland in the Moor, in the county of Devon (14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction SE)
This is one of Devon's "dream villages" with an attractive small church dating from the 13th century and a cluster of picturesque thickly thatched country cottages with the most "English" of country gardens.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Zeal Monachorum, in the county of Devon (17.2 miles, 27.6 km, direction NE)
Set amid the rolling agricultural heartland of Devon, Zeal Monachorum is the very epitome of the perfect, tranquil Devonian village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Saltash, in the county of Cornwall (17.2 miles, 27.7 km, direction S)
Famous for its two great bridges than span the River Tamar, this little town, known as 'the gateway to Cornwall' is both pretty and interesting.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in DevonComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Gunnislake Station | (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction SW) |
| Calstock Station | (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction SW) |
| Plymouth City Airport | (15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction S) |
| M5 Junction 31 | (26.1 miles, 42.0 km, direction E) |
| M5 Junction 30 | (28.6 miles, 46.0 km, direction E) |
| Exeter Airport | (30.7 miles, 49.4 km, direction E) |
| Lydford to London | (183.2 miles, 294.8 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Lydford
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Lydford center |
| Fox & Hounds Hotel | (1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction NE) |
| Browns Tavistock | (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S) |
| Bedford Hotel | (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S) |
| The Coachouse Hotel & Restaurant | (7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction SW) |
| Lifton Hall Hotel | (7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction W) |
| Two Bridges Hotel | (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SE) |
| The Old School Guesthouse | (9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction S) |
| Moorlands Links Hotel | (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction S) |
| Bovey Castle | (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction E) |
| The Bickford Arms | (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction NW) |
| All hotels in Lydford |
