During the reign of Alfred the Great, CE 871-899, Lydford already ranked alongside Exeter, in importance. Evidence of minting coinage in the form of the solid silver Lydford penny dates back to CE 937 during the reign of Athelstan (grandson of Alfred the Great). Operating for around 100 years, the mints at Lydford produced over 1.5 million silver pennies. A Norman hill-fort was built some time after 1066 - earthworks are still visible today. The Forest of Dartmoor, was a royal hunting ground administered from Lydford and it later also oversaw the administration of four tin-mining stanneries, Tavistock, Ashburton, Chagford and Plympton. The building of a new stonework tower was authorized by King John in 1194, with further work completed in the 13th century. Three hundred years later, Lydford Castle had gained a grisly reputation as a jail for holding offenders of the Stannery Laws. We will visit the remains of Lydford Castle - still an impressive edifice. The steep-sided river gorge, Lydford Gorge, has been attracting visitors in search of the picturesque since Victorian times and before, though its history started around 370 millions years ago. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a 16th century Devonshire pub and 2022 Gold Award winner hosted by Food Drink Devon. B/L/D