Lydford Castle and Saxon Town
Devon, England
Photo: Mkwadee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Mkwadee, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Mkwadee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Okehampton, 7.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Medieval prison tower plus Norman earthworks
Pinpoint
Silver St, Lydford, Okehampton EX20 4BH
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Facilities
- Public toilets in the car park, open May to October only.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Safety
- Sheep may graze at the Norman Fort and Town Banks areas.
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.
At a glance
Who to know
Alfred the Great · established Lydford as one of four Devon burhs
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.
What visitors say
Lydford Castle and Saxon Town reviews · 4.4 / 5 across 248 Google reviews
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.
“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
Getting in - what English Heritage says
Steep slopes, uneven surfaces, steep stairs documented. Public toilets available May-October only in car park. Livestock warnings present.
Taken from English Heritage’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
1195
The surviving castle was built in 1195 as a stone tower and bailey to address widespread lawlessness across medieval England. Its massive walls served as fortress and prison, becoming notorious for harsh justice that gave rise to the expression 'Lydford Law'.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There's parking outside The Castle Inn, a short walk away, where public toilets are available from May to October.” - Andrew Thomas
- Terrain & accessibility
- “The burh uses the steep sides of two ravines formed by the River Lyd and a bank and ditch built forming a triangular defensive village.” - stephen mudie
Common questions about Lydford Castle and Saxon Town
Where is Lydford Castle and Saxon Town?
Lydford Castle and Saxon Town is in Devon, England, at Silver St, Lydford, Okehampton EX20 4BH.
Is Lydford Castle and Saxon Town free to visit?
Yes - Lydford Castle and Saxon Town is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Lydford Castle and Saxon Town?
The tower itself - a working prison for centuries, and a rare chance to stand inside a medieval jail rather than just read about one.
Is Lydford Castle and Saxon Town a ruin or still intact?
Lydford Castle and Saxon Town is a partial ruin - Medieval prison tower plus Norman earthworks.
