Doorway into Lydford Castle

Lydford was recorded in Domesday Book as one of only five towns in Devon. It was built by the Saxons as a defended town against Viking raids. Lydford Castle was built by the Normans in 1195. The castle is a typical Norman Keep taking advantage of a natural defensive position. For six hundred years during the medieval period the tin miner's Stannary Court was held in the castle. The basement of the castle was used as a prison although as a judge only visited every few years the practice grew, known as 'Lydford Law' of executing people first and then having the trial afterwards.