Things to do at Parke

A display of pumpkins and squash, various shades of orange, yellow and green, in a wooden barrow — A display of pumpkin and squash grown in the walled garden at Parke, Devon | © National Trust/Rosie McNamara

This historic estate on the edge of Dartmoor offers a wide choice of things to do and surroundings to enjoy, from the walled garden and mixed orchard to wildlife spotting on the river. Here are a few of the highlights.

Orchard

The orchard surrounds the walled garden on three sides and covers about two acres. According to the tithe map, there has been an orchard at Parke since at least 1841, and the apples were used for cider making.

In 1999 the orchard was planted up with 150 apple trees – mainly old apple varieties plus a few damson trees. These live alongside the six remaining apple and pear trees from the original orchard, so there is now a mixture of fruit trees.

In September and October each year the apples are picked by local community groups, sharing the harvest through Apple Days in the surrounding towns and villages and with the wider community.

The orchard is grazed at various times of the year by native breeds of sheep.

Walled garden

The unusually-shaped walled garden is looked after by National Trust staff and volunteers in partnership with Bovey Community Gardeners. It produces a wide range of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers.

The lower two plots have been given over to the community gardeners while National Trust volunteers look after the two upper plots, which contain the vines and fruit trees, the herbaceous border, and the walled fruit.

You can visit the garden most days between 10.30am and 2.30pm. Walk down the hill from the car park past the entrance to the orchard and the walled garden is through a gate to your left.

Explore the river

The River Bovey starts its journey on the moor above North Bovey, eight miles north-west of Parke. It continues through Parke, into Bovey Tracey, and eventually joins the River Teign.

For many centuries it has been used in industry as an important source of water to power Bovey Tracey's historic mills.

Activity ideas

Try orienteering on one of the four orienteering courses of varying difficulty.
Cycle along the disused railway track that forms part of the Wray Valley Trail.
Explore the maze of walking paths through the woodland and parkland.
Have a run – you could join Parkrun on Saturday mornings.
Tick off some of the fun and wild '50 things to do before you're 11¾'.
Stop for a while and see what wildlife you can spot.

Find out about outdoor activities

Red admiral butterfly feeding on a blackberry at Parke | © National Trust/Mick Jones

Also at Parke

Home Farm Café

An independent café and restaurant located within a pretty courtyard at the heart of Parke, offering delicious local seasonal food.

View the menu

Dartmoor National Park Authority

Parke House is leased to the Dartmoor National Park Authority as their headquarters so is not open to visitors, but feel free to stroll through the gardens at the front of the house. The Dartmoor National Park Authority looks after Dartmoor's natural environment, wildlife and heritage.

Learn about Dartmoor