Countryside Mobility member, Eve, has been using our Tramper hire service for six months now, and, with her family, have regularly updated us on all the wonderful sights and times they’ve shared together.
We’d like to share Eve’s story of her March visit to Lydford Gorge, the deepest river gorge in the South West, and how the Tramper helped make her journey possible:
Eve’s story
“It was just a simple family day out with my two daughters. I didn’t realise where we were headed at first, so imagine how delighted I was to see the sign for Lydford Gorge on the drive there! They’d already pre-booked the Tramper, so as soon as we got set up, we started our journey from the waterfall entrance.
We hiked at a brisk pace going through the old railway line that led to the bird hide. I didn’t take a huge detour there or anything, but it was great to see all the feeders on the branches; someone even popped out of the hide to mention they’d spotted a goldcrest. Then we had our lunch back on the picnic tables back near reception. Before we took on the route going down the gorge, we just enjoyed each other’s company in the sun, and I think the robin perching on the bench took quite an interest in all our crumbs too!
The Tramper, designed for rough ground, bumps, mud and slopes, made the journey possible, though it still required some concentration. Any trouble we might’ve bumped into was all worth it when we reached the bottom of the path. Seeing the waterfall up close was magical. I didn’t realise the gorge was so steep, or the waterfall so long, with that continual rush of white water. It felt like we had the view all to ourselves, just myself, Helen and Julie.
As you can imagine, it was steeper getting up that slope than going down it. I had to concentrate on the trail, and we had to stop occasionally to catch our breaths. Still, I can’t begin to tell you how exhilarating it all was. I was one with nature. I was so much more confident about doing all these walks too. Best of all, I got to spend the day with my loved ones.
“I can’t begin to tell you how exhilarating it all was. I was one with nature. I was so much more confident about doing all these walks too. Best of all, I got to spend the day with my loved ones.”
– Eve
The National Trust’s provision at places such as Lydford Gorge helps families visit together, rather than splitting the day into what some can do and others cannot, and schemes like this not only make routes accessible, they also make belonging possible. I wish all National Trust sites had a Tramper available.”
More information about this location is available on our Countryside Mobility page National Trust Lydford Gorge.
Our website also lists more than 20 other National Trust properties that are part of the Countryside Mobility hire network.
To book the Tramper, contact the hire location by calling 01822 820320 or email lydfordgorge@nationaltrust.org.uk.
