Devon’s tallest waterfall plunges 30 metres down a moss-covered cliff into the River Lyd, tucked inside what may be the deepest gorge in southwest England. The path down to the Whitelady Waterfall involves a steep descent through temperate rainforest — one of the rarest habitats on the planet, covering less than 1% of Earth’s surface.
Quick overview
Whitelady Waterfall sits within Lydford Gorge, a National Trust property. Entry costs £13 for adults during the main season (mid-March to early November), but the site is free to visit during winter months when only the waterfall trail remains open. National Trust members enter free year-round.
The waterfall is accessible via a 1.1-kilometre walk from the Waterfall car park, taking most visitors 15–20 minutes. The descent is steep but doesn’t require climbing steps, though the path can be slippery.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for |
|---|---|---|---|
| £13 adult/£6.50 child (free Nov–Mar) | 10am–4:30pm (seasonal) | Lydford, Okehampton EX20 4BL | National Trust members, under-5s |
How much does Whitelady Waterfall cost?
Access to Whitelady Waterfall is included in the Lydford Gorge admission fee. During winter (3 November 2025 to 13 March 2026), the National Trust doesn’t charge an entrance fee, though donations are welcomed.
Ticket prices (14 March–2 November 2026)
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £13.00 | Ages 18+ |
| Child | £6.50 | Ages 5–17 |
| Family | £32.50 | 2 adults + up to 3 children |
| Single adult family | £19.50 | 1 adult + up to 3 children |
| Under-5s | Free | Children under 5 |
| National Trust members | Free | Valid membership required |
Your ticket grants access to both entrances (Waterfall and Devil’s Cauldron) on the same day. Tickets purchased at one entrance are valid at the other — you don’t need to buy separate admission.
These ticket prices were checked and verified in January 2026.
What time does Whitelady Waterfall open?
Main season (14 March–2 November 2026): Open daily 10am–4:30pm. Last entry is 4:30pm in most months, but moves to 3:30pm during October and November when daylight hours shorten.
Winter (November to mid-March): The Waterfall trail remains open during winter, along with the bird hide trail. Opening hours are more limited, and the site may close during high winds or heavy rain for safety reasons. The Devil’s Cauldron trail closes completely from early November to mid-March for essential maintenance including tree work, path repairs, and rock face inspections.
Weather closures: The gorge closes during periods of high wind and heavy rain when falling branches pose a hazard. Always check the National Trust website or call ahead (01822 820320) before travelling, particularly in winter or during unsettled weather.
Do I need to book Whitelady Waterfall tickets in advance?
No advance booking is required for general visits. Simply turn up at the Waterfall entrance, pay admission (or show your National Trust membership card), and access the trail.
However, if you need to hire a Tramper mobility vehicle, you must book at least three days ahead by emailing [email protected] or calling 01822 820320. Trampers are available March to October only and bookings can be made up to four weeks in advance.
Group visits (15 or more people) should be arranged in advance to ensure the site can accommodate your party.
Parking advice
Free parking is available at both Lydford Gorge entrances. For Whitelady Waterfall, use the Waterfall entrance car park (postcode EX20 4BL). This is the southern entrance, about 1.6 kilometres from Lydford village centre.
The car park accommodates cars, campervans, and motorhomes, though spaces for larger vehicles are limited. Long vehicles over 8.5 metres and caravans cannot be accommodated due to the narrow access road — there’s a 17-ton weight restriction on the old railway bridge near the entrance.
No overnight parking is permitted. Designated accessible parking spaces are available near the visitor facilities.
During busy summer periods (weekends and school holidays), the car park can fill by late morning. Arriving before 10:30am or after 2pm typically ensures a space. If the Waterfall entrance is full, you can try the Devil’s Cauldron entrance (EX20 4BH) 1.6 kilometres away — your ticket is valid at both.
History
Lydford Gorge formed through a geological phenomenon called river capture. Originally, the River Lyd flowed a different course entirely. Thousands of years ago, a tributary stream worked backwards through the rock, eventually “capturing” the Lyd and diverting it through what’s now the gorge — cutting the dramatic ravine in the process.
The rocks exposed in the gorge date from 370 to 350 million years ago, spanning the Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous periods. You’ll see mudstones, sandstones, limestones, and cherts containing fossil remains of ancient sea creatures, including bryozoans — tiny filter-feeding animals that lived in colonies similar to modern coral.
Whitelady Waterfall formed where a tributary stream meets the main River Lyd, plunging over the gorge’s cliff edge. The name comes from local folklore about a ghostly spirit dressed in white who haunts the falls. Legend claims anyone who sees her whilst drowning in the river will be saved — her flowing white gown resembles the cascading water.
The gorge became a tourist attraction during Victorian times, when the emerging Picturesque movement made dramatic natural landscapes fashionable. Wealthy visitors would make excursions from nearby Okehampton and Tavistock to admire the “sublime” scenery. The National Trust acquired the site to preserve it for future generations.
The temperate rainforest surrounding the waterfall is now globally rare, found in fewer than a dozen locations worldwide. Climate change threatens this fragile ecosystem, which the National Trust is working to protect and monitor.
What to see at Whitelady Waterfall
The waterfall itself drops 30 metres down a vertical cliff face into a plunge pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks. After heavy rain, the falls transform from a gentle cascade into a thundering torrent that sends spray across the viewing area. In drought conditions, the flow can reduce to a trickle — visiting after rainfall shows the waterfall at its most powerful.
Temperate rainforest cloaks the gorge in ancient oak woodland draped with mosses, lichens, and ferns. This globally rare habitat relies on Devon’s mild, wet climate. Look for the bright green cushions of moss covering tree trunks and rocks, creating the otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
The River Lyd winds through the gorge bottom, sometimes gentle and meandering, other times plunging through narrow gaps. The crystal-clear water reveals the rocky riverbed, though swimming is strictly prohibited due to dangerous currents and the remote location making rescue difficult.
Fossil-bearing limestone is visible in places along the path, part of the Liddaton Formation laid down when Devon was covered by warm seas. Sharp-eyed visitors might spot the remains of ancient bryozoans — each about 0.5 millimetres long — embedded in the exposed rock.
The old Great Western Railway line runs near the waterfall trail. Closed in the 1960s, the trackbed now forms part of the Granite Way cycle route. Deep cuttings have returned to nature, colonised by woodland.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Access to Whitelady Waterfall trail (1.1km each way)
- Entry to the bird hide trail along the old railway line
- Access to Devil’s Cauldron trail (when open, March–November)
- Lyd Link Path connecting both trails
- Free seasonal wildlife spotter sheets
- Use of public toilets at visitor facilities
- Tea-room access (separate charges for food/drink)
- Second-hand bookshop at Devil’s Cauldron entrance
Not included: food and drinks (available to purchase), Tramper hire (must book ahead), parking (free but donations welcomed).
Things to do near Whitelady Waterfall
Okehampton Castle (9 miles, 15-minute drive) — Devon’s largest castle ruin sits dramatically on a spur above the River Okement. Built after the Norman Conquest, the castle includes a motte, bailey, and stone keep. English Heritage manages the site, which also offers woodland walks and picnic areas. Open spring to autumn.
Castle Drogo (14 miles, 25-minute drive) — The last castle built in England, completed in 1930 and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. This 20th-century fortress perches above the Teign Gorge with spectacular views across Dartmoor. The National Trust property includes formal gardens, woodland walks, and a circular route through the gorge itself.
Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton (9 miles, 15-minute drive) — Three floors of exhibits covering life on Dartmoor from prehistoric times to the present day. Housed in an early 19th-century mill with a working waterwheel. Collections include farming equipment, domestic items, and displays about Dartmoor’s tin mining heritage.
Granite Way cycling/walking trail (starts 500m from site) — An 11-mile traffic-free route along a disused railway line between Lydford and Okehampton. The trail crosses the impressive Meldon Viaduct and passes Meldon Reservoir. Suitable for cyclists, walkers, and wheelchair users. Bike hire available in Okehampton.
Brentor (4 miles, 10-minute drive) — A volcanic outcrop crowned by the tiny St Michael de Rupe church, one of Dartmoor’s best-known landmarks. The short but steep climb rewards you with 360-degree views across Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley, and into Cornwall. The church dates from the 12th century and sits at 330 metres above sea level.
Practical tips
Location and access: Lydford Gorge is on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, between Okehampton (9 miles north) and Tavistock (9 miles south). Exit the A30 at Sourton Down, take the A386 towards Tavistock, then turn onto the unnamed road for Lydford village. The Waterfall entrance is one mile past the village. Sat nav postcode: EX20 4BL.
Getting there: Self-drive is most convenient, though regular buses run between Okehampton and Tavistock (Dartline Coaches 118), stopping at both Lydford Gorge entrances Monday–Saturday. Sunday services are less frequent. Trains run to Okehampton station from Exeter, where you can connect with the bus. Cycle hire is available from Devon Cycle Hire at Sourton Down or Granite Way Cycles in Okehampton.
Time needed: Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the return walk to Whitelady Waterfall. If you’re doing the full circular walk including Devil’s Cauldron, budget 2–3 hours. The bird hide trail takes 30 minutes return.
What to wear: Sturdy walking boots with good grip are essential — the path is steep and can be extremely slippery even in dry weather. Waterproof jacket recommended as the gorge creates its own microclimate. In winter, wear warm layers and consider bringing walking poles for the descent. The terrain is rough and uneven throughout.
Accessibility: A no-steps route descends to the waterfall, making it theoretically accessible for pushchairs and mobility scooters, though the steep gradient and uneven surface make this challenging. Tramper mobility vehicles are available to hire (March–October, book ahead). Wheelchairs will struggle on the rough, sloping terrain. For specific access requirements, contact the site directly at [email protected] or 01822 820320.
Photography: The waterfall photographs best after heavy rain when the flow is strongest. Overcast conditions often produce more atmospheric shots than bright sunshine. The moss-covered rocks and ancient woodland provide excellent close-up opportunities. Take care with equipment on the slippery paths.
Dogs: Welcome on leads throughout the site (three-pawprint rating). The no-steps waterfall route is suitable for most dogs, though the Devil’s Cauldron trail includes rock-hewn steps that some dogs may find difficult. Water bowls available at visitor facilities.
Food and facilities: Tea-rooms at both entrances serve hot meals, snacks, cakes, and cream teas. The Waterfall entrance tea-room offers jacket potatoes, sandwiches, and soups. Toilets are located at both car parks. The Castle Inn pub in Lydford village serves lunch and dinner. No toilets exist along the walking trails themselves.
FAQs
Can you swim at Whitelady Waterfall? No, swimming is strictly prohibited throughout Lydford Gorge. The river has strong currents, hidden hazards, and the gorge’s remote location makes rescue extremely difficult. The National Trust asks all visitors to respect this rule for their own safety and to protect the fragile ecosystem.
When is the best time to visit Whitelady Waterfall? Autumn and winter (October–March) offer the most dramatic waterfall flows after rainfall, though paths are more slippery and daylight hours are shorter. Spring (April–May) brings wild garlic and bluebells carpeting the gorge floor with colour and scent. Summer sees the heaviest crowds but longer daylight hours. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends.
Is Whitelady Waterfall suitable for young children? Yes, the no-steps route makes it accessible for families with reasonably fit children. However, parents must supervise children closely as there are unfenced drops into the gorge. The path’s steep gradient and slippery surface means buggies aren’t practical — consider a child carrier backpack instead. The 2.2-kilometre return walk may be too long for very young children.
How long does the walk to Whitelady Waterfall take? Most visitors walk down to the waterfall in 15–20 minutes from the car park. The return journey uphill takes slightly longer, typically 20–25 minutes. Factor in time to view and photograph the falls — 45 minutes to 1 hour total is realistic. The gradient is steep throughout, so fitness level affects timing.
What’s the difference between Whitelady Waterfall and Devil’s Cauldron? Whitelady Waterfall is a 30-metre cascade on a tributary of the River Lyd, accessible via a steep but step-free path suitable for most abilities. Devil’s Cauldron is a deep pothole in the main river gorge, reached by a more challenging one-way trail with rock-hewn steps carved into the cliff face. The Cauldron trail closes November–March for maintenance, while the Waterfall trail stays open year-round. Your ticket covers both.
