Introduction
The site has a white rendered early-19th century house set within parkland and gardens. It is now the headquarters for Dartmoor National Park Authority.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
- History
Parke is a handsome white rendered early-19th century house of five by four bays built for William Hole in front of an earlier house. It has a heavy central porch with two pairs of Greek Doric columns.
In the 18th century the property was owned by Lord Ashburton, who, according to the Reverend John Swete, ‘softened the harsh and rude features of the scene around him' by blowing up the granite masses in his best meadows, and planting the hills. Stockdale noted that it was ‘a very elegant mansion situated in a delightful part of the parish and the approach to it has a very delightful avenue of venerable beech trees'.
There is a stable block, lodge and cooling house in the garden, as well as a walled garden. The house is now the headquarters for Dartmoor National Park.
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: House and stables, cooling house and Parke Lodge
- Grade: II
National Park
Features
- Stable Block
- Gate Lodge
- House (featured building)
- Description: Parke is a handsome white rendered early-19th century house of five by four bays built for William Hole. It has a heavy central porch with two pairs of Greek Doric columns.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Civil
Survival
Extant
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Bovey Tracey
- References
References
- Pevsner, N {The Buildings of England: Devon} (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1952) The Buildings of England: Devon
- Gray, Todd {The Garden History of Devon} (Exeter: Exeter University Press, 1995) 175-6 The Garden History of Devon