White Lady Waterfall National Trust Lydford Gorge

The White Lady plunges 30 metres into a pool of proper dark water, and the first time you see it round that bend in Lydford Gorge, it stops you dead. The National Trust manages this stretch of the River Lyd, and it's a walk that justifies the effort - roughly 2.5 miles there and back depending on your route, with plenty of scrambling over rocks and tree roots to keep things interesting.

It's not a gentle stroll. The gorge sides are steep and the path gets muddy even days after rain, so proper boots matter. Allow a good two hours if you're not rushing, longer if you've got kids who like turning over stones. The waterfall itself is the headline act, but honestly, the walk through the gorge is the real thing - mossy boulders, old mine workings from the tin days, and sections where the river narrows down to almost nothing before opening out again.

Best visited after decent rainfall when the water's flowing properly. Summer weekends get busy, so an autumn weekday morning beats it hollow. The nearest town is Okehampton, about five miles away.

Stay at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park just 1.3 miles away and you've got the walk on your doorstep - crack location for a couple of nights. The admission's free (National Trust land), though parking charges apply. Families will manage it fine if everyone's got decent footwear, but toddlers will find it rough going. Serious walkers looking for a proper gorge walk will love it.