Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
Pinpoint
Silver St, Lydford, Okehampton EX20 4BH
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lydford-castle-and-saxon-town
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
A stout 13th-century tower doubling as a medieval prison, set on a mound above a village that was already old when the Normans arrived — Lydford was one of four Anglo-Saxon burhs Alfred the Great established in Devon, first recorded in 997. English Heritage keeps it free and unstaffed, at the edge of Dartmoor.
Worth the trip
The tower itself — a working prison for centuries, and a rare chance to stand inside a medieval jail rather than just read about one.
Before you go
It's a small site, easily paired with the village church nearby; there's a pay-and-display car park close by, but reviewers note you can also find free parking on the street.
Reviewers consistently enjoy Lydford Castle's free access and the historical context provided by its information boards, noting that the tower can only be viewed from a small platform rather than fully explored inside. Several suggest combining the visit with the nearby Lydford Gorge, and nearby parking, pay and display or free on the street, is mentioned as convenient.
Medieval prison tower plus Norman earthworks
“Nice scenic drive. Area is small with castle, historical church. If u want to explore can go around. Abundance of natural beauty. Paid parking available. Can park free on streets.”— Nadeem Mustafa, visitor review
