One of my favourite local things to do in Devon is walk through the National Trust’s Lydford Gorge, which lies halfway between Okehampton and Tavistock.

It’s a mysterious and beautiful place – at times wild and at others, meditatively calm. I love to walk in early May when the bluebells compete with the wild garlic and sunlight dances through the newly opening oak leaves. Some say that there’s a ley line running the length of the Gorge which could explain the wonderful feeling some people experience here.

It’s best to start at the waterfall entrance dropping over a hundred feet through steep-sided mossy slate to the base of the enchanting Whitelady Waterfall. Following the river upstream at a steady pace it will take about an hour to emerge at the main entrance just outside Lydford village. At this point you have a choice of the tearoom for a welcome cup of coffee and cake, or a short walk into the village to The Castle Inn where my favourite lunch is fish pie and a half of Rattler. Once refreshed, it’s a thirty-minute walk back along the lovely wooded path above the Gorge.

TiYK Top Tip! It’s tough going so make sure you wear suitable footwear! You will get full mobile coverage throughout if you are on Orange – none of the other networks work making this a great spot to get some proper peace and quiet!

Photo courtesy of Local Surfer on Flickr