Name: Lydford Castle and Saxon Town
Rating: 5.0

Lydford Castle and Saxon Town

Lydford, Okehampton, Devon EX20 4BH, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Lydford Castle and Saxon Town Beautifully sited on the fringe of Dartmoor, Lydford boasts three defensive features. Near the centre is a 13th century tower on a mound, built as a prison. It later became notorious for harsh punishments, with one of its inmates calling it 'the most annoious, contagious and detestable place within this realm'. To the south is an earlier Norman earthwork castle and to the north, there are Saxon town defences.

The village of Lydford has an unforgettable setting on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, just upriver from the spectacular Lydford Gorge. Its importance in Saxon and medieval times has left its legacy in the street layout and in two castles: a post-Conquest castle, of which the earthworks remain, and a 13th-century tower, built on top of a 12th-century predecessor. This latter castle served as a prison for enforcing the laws that regulated both Dartmoor’s forest and also its important tin industry.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Lydford Castle and Saxon Town: The village of Lydford has an unforgettable setting on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, just upriver from the spectacular Lydford Gorge. Its importance in Saxon and medieval times has left its legacy in the street layout and in two castles: a post-Conquest castle, of which the earthworks remain, and a 13th-century tower, built on top of a 12th-century predecessor. This latter castle served as a prison for enforcing the laws that regulated both Dartmoor’s forest and also its important tin industry.
The Castle: Soon after the siege and capture of Exeter by William the Conqueror in 1068, a small defensive earthwork was built on the extreme south-west tip of the promontory at Lydford.
Excavations have revealed the remains of five wooden buildings protected behind a crescent-shaped earth and timber rampart with a deep ditch. This rare early Norman castle, now owned by the National Trust, is a fascinating site.
Lydford as a Prison: Offenders against the stannary laws continued to be incarcerated at the castle throughout the Middle Ages and fitfully until the 18th century.
The best-known was Richard Strode, MP for Plymouth, himself a tinner, who was thrown in the gaol in 1510 after having the temerity to complain that mining debris in the moorland rivers was silting up the harbour at Plymouth. He later described his accommodation here as ‘one of the most annoious, contagious and detestable places wythin this realme’.
Description: King John’s castle or gaol seems to have consisted of a single tower two storeys high and about 15 metres (50 feet) square. Its walls were more than 3 metres (10 feet) thick and it had deeply splayed, round-headed windows.
During the late 13th century, when the castle was gaining importance as a stannary gaol, the tower was drastically rebuilt. The upper storey was demolished and the ground floor used as the foundation for a much taller building. Earth was piled around its walls, so that the tower appears to have been built on a motte or mound.

Facilities

Parking: There is a carpark opposite The Castle Inn. This is managed by Dartmoor National Park.
Toilets: Public toilets in the car park are open May to October.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Lydford, Okehampton, Devon EX20 4BH, UK

Post Code: EX20 4BH

Council: West Devon

County: Devon

Road Access: In Lydford off A386; 8.5 miles/13.6 km miles south of Okehampton.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop is Lydford Castle Inn, which is alongside the Site. Stagecoach Bus 118 provides an hourly service on weekdays, 3 journeys Sun & BH, linking Tavistock and Okehampton.
Train Access: Okehampton Station (9 miles / 14 km). Bus 118 either departs from the Railway Station, or from Okehampton West Street (walk 0.7 mile / 1 km). Plymouth Station (22 miles / 35 km). Catch Bus 1 from Plymouth North Road East or Royal Parade (Stop A20) to Tavistock Bus Station, then change to Bus 118.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a carpark opposite The Castle Inn. This is managed by Dartmoor National Park.