Lydford Castle, Devon

Lydford Castle was built around 1132 AD. It was a 3-storey tower, commanding a strategic view over much of the surrounding countryside with Lydford Gorge on one side, and the land sloping steeply away from it. This meant it was in a highly defensible site.

Its use changed in the reign of Edward I of England who made the castle the Stannary prison; its reputation was rather frightening. Sir Richard Grenville used the prison as a dungeon for his political opponents. An order of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII describes the prison in 1512 as: one of the most hanious, contagious and detestable places in the realm, and Lydford Law was a by-word for injustice.

At the time of Cromwell's Commonwealth, the castle was entirely in ruins, but in the 18th century it was restored and once again used as a prison and as the meeting-place of the manor and borough courts.

Opening Times

Any reasonable time.

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Ticket Prices

Access to the site is free.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

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