A peaceful retreat set within the beautiful Devon countryside
There's something for everyone at Parke, found on the outskirts of the small market town of Bovey Tracey, gateway to mystical Dartmoor. You can walk from the town (about one mile) or stop off as you drive to the open moor, where the next stop is the rugged crag of Haytor.
This compact estate was once the home of a wealthy local family and probably enabled them to be self-sufficient for all their day-to-day needs with
- a vegetable garden, fruit garden and orchard
- cold house, fish pond, grazing meadows for livestock and beehives for honey
- and gardens to wander in for spiritual refreshment.
So, take a short stroll around the garden, or a longer more strenuous walk through the woodlands and along the river to the medieval weir. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for a myriad of wildlife and a host of wild flowers.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/parke
Countryside Mobility Pre-booking is ESSENTIAL at Parke to avoid disappointment as staff are not always on-site.
A peaceful retreat set within the beautiful Devon countryside. There's something for everyone at Parke, found on the outskirts of the small market town of Bovey Tracey including the popular Home Farm Cafe. There are a number of Tramper routes available on site including the old railway line and some riverside paths.
This compact estate was once the home of a wealthy local family and probably enabled them to be self-sufficient for all their day-to-day needs with a vegetable garden, fruit garden, orchard, ice house, fish pond, grazing meadows for livestock and beehives for honey. So, take a short stroll around the garden, or a longer more strenuous walk through the woodlands and along the river to the medieval weir. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for a myriad of wildlife and a host of wild flowers.
The Tramper can be hired from the National Trust van in the car park or the office opposite Home Farm Cafe. There is space for one car to park outside the office which is situated down a steep slope from the main car park. Please contact the site for more details.
There is no hire fee to use the Tramper but users are invited to make an optional small donation supporting improved access at Parke
https://countrysidemobility.org/locations/national-trust-parke-estate
Dartmoor Way
The Dartmoor Way walking route is a waymarked 108-mile (173km) long circular route around Dartmoor. The route explores wooded valleys; sparkling streams that tumble off the moor; deep drove-roads and bridleways used for generations by farmers and travellers. The route can be enjoyed all year round from the freshness and colours of Spring, through the glories of high Summer and wonderful colours of Autumn, to the stark beauty of Winter. The High Moor Link crosses the moor from Tavistock through to Buckfast, enabling two smaller circles of either the Northern or Southern Moors to be completed. The route links up with the Two-Moors Way long-distance footpath offering a wide variety of route options. The Dartmoor Way offers many possibilities for a break away - from a day-trip or weekend to the whole route as a 10-day holiday.
https://www.dartmoorway.co.uk/ww/index.php
Wray Valley Trail
This trail is a great way to explore the Wray Valley, following in the footsteps of the Victorians who built the Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead railway in 1866. The 11km, mainly traffic free, route links Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead. It follows the line of the old railway, which was closed to passengers in 1959, taking you through the National Trust Parke Estate and past the picturesque villlage of Lustleigh. The trail has been several years in the making and has involved major works including 2 new bridges across the A382. Devon County Council has worked with local landowners and Dartmoor National Park to ensure the trail will benefit everyone.
East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths NNR
East Dartmoor consists of 3 joined but distinct areas: Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands. Together they provide an excellent example of internationally important western oakwood with its associated bird and lower plant communities. Main habitats: woodland, open heathland, bogs, former meadows and streams.
Exeter - Bovey Tracey - Newton Abbot
Daily, hourly Live Map - bustimes.org
Bus Stops: Newton Abbot Sherborne Road (Stop B) - Heathfield Drumbridges Roundabout (SW-bound) - Heathfield Cavalier Road (NE-bound) - Bovey Tracey Riverside Surgery (SE-bound) - Bovey Tracey Lloyds Pharmacy (Stop A) - Bovey Tracey Lloyds Pharmacy (Stop A) - Chudleigh Knighton, opp Village Hall - Chudleigh, adj Memorial - Marsh Barton Matford P&R (S-bound) - Wonford R D & E Hospital (N-bound) - Exeter Bus Station
https://bustimes.org/services/39-exeter-bovey-tracey-newton-abbot
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables
Newton Abbot – Okehampton via Moretonhampstead & Chagford
Monday to Saturday. Two buses from Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead, one continuing to Okehampton
Bus Stops: Newton Abbot Sherborne Road (Stop B) - Liverton Benedicts Road (N-bound) - Coldeast Cummings Cross (N-bound) - Bovey Tracey Dolphin Square (N-bound) - Bovey Tracey Lloyds Pharmacy (Stop A) - Lustleigh Turn (SW-bound) - Lustleigh Bishops Stone (S-bound) - Lustleigh, opp Eastwrey Barton Hotel - Moretonhampstead Square (Stop D) - Moretonhampstead Court Street Car Park (Stop A) - Chagford Easton Cross (NW-bound) - Chagford The Square (SE-bound) - Chagford Easton Cross (S-bound) - Chagford Sandypark Inn (NW-bound) - Whiddon Down Post Inn (W-bound) - S Zeal Oxenham Arms (NW-bound) - S Tawton Church (W-bound) - S Zeal The Croft (S-bound) - Sticklepath, opp Devonshire Inn - Okehampton Giblands Park (NW-bound) - Okehampton Hunters Gate (S-bound) - Okehampton Fore Street Arcade (Stop C) - Okehampton Market Street (Stop E)
http://countrybusdevon.co.uk/178-newton-abbot-okehampton-via-moretonhampstead-chagford/
https://bustimes.org/services/178-okehampton-moretonhampstead-newton-abbot
