Parke Estate (National Trust & Dartmoor National Park)
Parke Estate
Permanent Orienteering Course
Leave the A38 at Drumbridges (Trago Mills turnoff) and take the A382 to Bovey Tracey. At the fire station roundabout turn left on the B3387 towards Haytor. Entrance on right in 200m.Info updated: 25th May 2019 with course condition report May 2023.
Parke is a National Trust property on the Western outskirts of Bovey Tracey. The house is leased to the Dartmoor National Park Authority and is their Head Office. The house is not open to the general public for viewing. The NT Office is in a small courtyard to the rear of the property. The Start/Finish for the orienteering courses is beside the NT office.
Contact
Tel: 01626 834748
Email: parke@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: NT Website
Entry Charges & Facilities
There is adequate parking in the joint NT/DNPA car park. National Trust members park for free, otherwise,there is a charge for parking. There are toilet facilities to the rear of the main house, and adjacent to the NT office. The house and its immediate environs are part of the DNPA lease and as such are Out of Bounds for orienteering purposes. The NT land extends along the River Bovey valley and is free to public access.
The Bovey can be fast flowing and deep. Only cross the river at the bridges and take care on riverbank footpaths. Please note that in wet weather the paths can be very muddy and in places are steep. Appropriate footwear and clothing are recommended.
The NT Office is only manned part-time, dependent on staff availability. If you intend to take a group orienteering, you are requested to contact the NT office prior to your visit to ensure there is not a clash with other planned activities.
Courses
|
Course |
Controls |
Length |
Difficulty |
Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
White |
8 |
1.2 |
Easy Access |
25 |
| Yellow | 10 | 1.9 | Less Easy | 35 |
| Orange | 14 | 2.5 | Moderate | 45 |
|
Red |
17 |
4.5 |
Harder |
60 |
|
All controls |
25 |
|
Challenging |
75 |
Lengths of courses shown are in straight lines between controls, and the estimate of time is for a group walking around. Both will vary depending on your route choice and ability.
Latest information
Updates made September 2023, with thanks to Dawn Williamson, Tom Lillicrap and Bryan Smith, Devon Orienteering Club: The permanent course is in reasonable condition.
For details about how to make the best use of Permanent Orienteering Courses, and safety considerations, see:
http://www.devonorienteering.co.uk
Safety and Risk
Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety whilst using the course.
National Trust (Parke) do not sell Map Packs as there is not a shop here. Maps may be available from the van in the car park and the Office (when open) for a donation towards printing.
For details about other things to do at this site please see:
National Trust website.