River Lyd, Devon facts for kids
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The River Lyd is a river in Devon, South West England. It starts in the Dartmoor National Park, at a place called Lyd Head. The river then flows until it joins the River Tamar near Lifton. A very special part of the River Lyd is Lydford Gorge, which is the deepest gorge in South West England.
Lydford Gorge
Lydford Gorge is a stunning part of the River Lyd. It is located near the village of Lydford, right on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. This amazing gorge is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. It is the deepest gorge in the whole South West of England.
How Lydford Gorge Was Formed
The gorge was created by a process called river capture. Imagine two rivers flowing. One river, over a long time, started to erode (wear away) its banks backwards. Eventually, it eroded so much that it met the River Lyd. When this happened, the River Lyd changed its path and started flowing into this new channel. This powerful change helped to carve out the deep gorge we see today.
What to See at Lydford Gorge
The National Trust has owned and looked after Lydford Gorge since 1947. There are many exciting things to see here. One of the most famous sights is the White Lady Waterfall. This beautiful waterfall is about 100 feet (30 meters) tall. You can also see a series of swirling whirlpools. These are known by the exciting name of the Devil's Cauldron.
