Lydford Gorge National Trust

Here's Arthur taking a break from his busy schedule of back scratches and generally demanding attention.

He visits Lydford Gorge from the village; he has a home but likes to keep on top of what is happening on his patch.

Some of the team are allergic to cats so we ask that you pet him outside, and take note if he let's you know he's had enough.

The ranger team have spotted several clouded yellow butterflies in the orchard at Lydford Gorge this year.

These butterflies migrate from North Africa and southern Europe, and can be seen in southern England over the summer. Look out for a beautiful golden-yellow coloured butterfly flitting by if you're planning a visit.

©National Trust Images/Ian Ward

We were grateful to be joined by the Exeter National Trust Volunteers recently. They helped us start the tough job of resurfacing the Lyd Link path.

There is no vehicle access along this path, even for our ATV, so it's essential to have many hands help to transport the hardcore to where it's needed. Although we wouldn't call it 'light work'.

The team first prepared the path by clearing loose debris and soil, then carried the hardcore out in buckets, spread it out and compacted it. This will make the path much more resilient and better for walkers, especially when we finally get some rain.

Thank you Exeter National Trust Volunteers 😊 and do look them up if you're interested in volunteering. They hold twice-monthly work events on Sundays at a range of National Trust places around Exeter.

We never quite know what the Lydford Gorge rangers will be doing next...

..but they are always working to look after this special place for both wildlife and visitors.

A massive thank you on to the staff and volunteers that work tirelessly through everything from torrential rain to unprecedented heat waves. And still manage to come to work smiling 😊

This fungi looks like it has honey oozing from its pores 🍯

This is an oak bracket fungus 𝘗𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘺𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘶𝘴 that was spotted growing on an oak tree in the gorge. It's not edible, and in fact as it ages it starts to smell very unpleasant.

It is fairly common in southern and eastern England, but much less common further north. This one was about 30cm wide but they can grow up to 65cm across.

Road closure in place at Lydford from today, Sunday 26 July, due to damage to the bridge.

No access to Lydford Gorge from Lydford. Access is possible from the Brentor direction (from Mary Tavy or Tavistock) but you will need to pass the 'road closed ahead' signs.