Pictures of Lydford Castle

a Castle in the town of Lydford, in the county of Devon

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About Lydford Castle

A simple square keep is all that remains of Lydford Castle. The castle, standing on a small mound in the shadow of the church has dominated this secluded village ever since it was built in 1195.

This is one of two castle's which once occupied a site at either side of St. Petrocks church which is located at the south-west corner of the village. The early castle was built soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In those days it must have looked somewhat spectacular with its impregnable walls standing loftily above Lydford Gorge. Nothing now remains of this, save for earthworks, but for the stunning views alone, the site is well worth a visit.

The keep of the present castle is interesting, part of the building appears to exist beneath a grassed mound, thus what is left of the roofless keep rises to show walls that are exceedingly thick on the lower ground and less so above. Looking at the outline of the castle, parts of which can be identified behind the keep, you can immediately see what a daunting place this must have been for those incarcerated during the time the castle was in use. During the Middle-Ages, it was used as courts and as a place of imprisonment for offenders against local forest and stannery laws.

Lydford Castle is in the care of English Heritage and can be viewed at any time, despite the fact that it is difficult to negotiate this depleted castle is well worth exploring. It gives tremendous views of the seething waters of dramatic Lydford Gorge, and is evocative of a time when tin miners ruled the region.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Lydford Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Lydford Castle

Lydford Gorge	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)	Pictures
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Okehampton Castle	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Grey Wethers Stone Circle	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction E)	Pictures
The Nine Maidens Stone Circle	(8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Fernworthy Stone Circle	(9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Dartmoor National Park	(10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Launceston Castle	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Buckland Abbey	(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction S)	Pictures
Grimspound	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Devon
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Lydford Castle

Tavistock, a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon (6.5 miles, 10.4 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 (8.1 miles, 13.1 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 (8.8 miles, 14.1 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 (8.9 miles, 14.3 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 (9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction E)
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

Yelverton, in the county of Devon (10.4 miles, 16.8 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

Gidleigh, in the county of Devon (10.6 miles, 17.0 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

Launceston, in the county of Cornwall (10.8 miles, 17.3 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 (12.2 miles, 19.6 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 (12.4 miles, 20.0 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

All towns in Devon
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Gunnislake Station	(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction SW)
Calstock Station	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction SW)
Plymouth City Airport	(15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction S)
M5 Junction 31	(26.5 miles, 42.6 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 30	(29.0 miles, 46.6 km, direction E)
Exeter Airport	(31.1 miles, 50.0 km, direction E)
Lydford Castle to London	(183.6 miles, 295.4 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Lydford Castle

Hotel Name
Fox & Hounds Hotel	(1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NE)
Browns Tavistock	(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction S)
Bedford Hotel	(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction S)
The Coachouse Hotel & Restaurant	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction SW)
Lifton Hall Hotel	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction W)
Two Bridges Hotel	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SE)
The Old School Guesthouse	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)
Moorlands Links Hotel	(11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction S)
The Bickford Arms	(13.3 miles, 21.5 km, direction NW)
Bovey Castle	(13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction E)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts