This wooded gorge around 2km long has, in places, steep rocky slopes dropping approximately 18m. The upper path offer superb views of the river below. The lower path goes around the edge of the water, the river's northwestern bank. The third path..

The castle shows the military importance of Lydford which, from 7-13C, was a Saxon outpost; the keep, which today stands ruined, was built in 1195 to hold prisoners.

St Petroc's, founded in the 6C, was rebuilt and enlarged in the Norman style in the 13C; the southern side and the tower were added in the 15C, and further changes were made in the 19C.