Getting here
50.63683, -4.13667
Best for
5 activitiesWildlife
Free75%Ancient woodland
Dog walks
Free72%Dogs allowed with public access
Heritage
Free68%Ancient woodland — historic landscape
Waterside walks
Varies68%Reservoir — waterside public access
Picnic day out
Free52%Reservoir — waterside day out
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶
Walking
8
8 named nearby
Named route
🚴
Cycling
29
29 named nearby
Named route
Named routes and paths nearby
Dartmoor Way · Walking0
West Devon Way · Walking0
The Lichway · Walking19 km
Two Castles Trail · Walking0
Main Route · Cycling
Main Route · Cycling
About this reservoir
Lydford is a reservoir managed by Forestry England within their forest estate. As an ancient woodland, it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD — a rare and irreplaceable habitat rich in biodiversity and historical character. Managed by Forestry England, the site is actively maintained for recreation and conservation.
Wildlife to spot
Photos
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🌱 Visiting this spring
- 🌸Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays
- 🐦Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April
- 🦌Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best
✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Weather for this location
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Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km
✦Motte with two baileys and a multivallate hillfort at Burley WoodHistoric site3.4 km→⛪St Petrock's ChurchReligious grounds2 km→✦Lydford CastleHistoric site2.1 km→✦Ringwork, castle, town banks, site of Saxon town and defencesHistoric site2.1 km→✦Earthworks on Brent TorHistoric site4.1 km→✦Gallows HillHistoric site2.5 km→