I was a few minutes early for a meeting at Lydford Gorge yesterday so I stopped and had a quick look around Lydford Castle and took a few photographs. The site is owned and managed by English Heritage.
Lydford Castle was built as a prison and not a Castle and had a fearsome reputation ‘the most annoymous, contagious and detestable place within this realm’. As a result there are many legends and ghost stories associated with the place – see here for example. William Browne, the Tavistock poet wrote these often quoted lines:
“I oft have heard of Lydford Law,
How in the morn they hang and draw,
And sit in judgment after
This link gives a detailed history of Lydford Castle if you are interested in more information.
The bleak ‘Castle’ perched on its mound
You can go inside (access is always open and free of charge) – here is the first floor
The ‘ground floor’ – prisoners were dropped into here via a trap door….
Views across to the Willsworthy Ranges
Lydford Church – in the heart of this Saxon Village – note the green hummock to the right of the tower – this is the Motte of the earlier Norman Castle (owned by the National Trust despite what the website says!)
The pub sign in the village – it looks like Richard the Lion Heart is paying a visit!
A Dartmoor blog 
I visited with my daughters, the Monday before Christmas. It was cold, grey and bleak that day; lacking in any festive cheer. The castle is in a good state of repair and was very spooky in the gloom. Naturally my little girls, being raised on ghost stories and the Famous Five, loved it. They spent a long time (very long to my cold self!) searching for hidden passageways they were sure were there.