Access statement

The Park is situated between Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot in the beautiful South Devon Countryside. Conveniently close to the A38 dual carriageway the park is only 3 miles (5km) from Dartmoor National Park – grid reference SX835752.

The Country Park, which covers 46.15 hectares (114acres) is level and accessible and is open all year. The centrepiece is Stover Lake, which is surrounded by marsh and a mixture of broadleaved woodland, coniferous plantation, lowland heath and grassland.

If you have any questions before visiting please contact us at the Rangers Office on (44) 01626 835236 or by email at stover@devon.gov.uk.

If travelling in a vehicle the main car park is situated off the A382 Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey road, just south of the A38 Drumbridges roundabout. The car park is pay and display (including disabled badge holders). There are 85 designated parking bays including 5 accessible parking bays, which are closest to the Interpretation Centre.

Within the park, visitors can find:

  • public and accessible toilet facilities: open 8 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas day
  • an extensive network of level footpaths allows visitors to amble and explore the many areas of the park as well as the longer walking routes such as the Heritage Trail and Templer Way
  • picnic tables and benches situated adjacent to paths and walking routes
  • a 90 metre aerial walkway positioned on the southern edge of Stover Lake allowing visitors to walk through the woodland canopy
  • the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail which has sixteen poetry posts celebrating Ted Hughes’ poems relating to the natural world – the poems were chosen with the help of Carol Hughes to relate to the wildlife that can be seen and heard around the Country Park
  • a shorter Children’s Poetry and Sculpture Trail can be found in the Arboretum for families to share together some of Ted Hughes’ most memorable poems about the world of animals, some of which are illustrated by Raymond Briggs
  • an audio recorder pen containing recordings of all the poems on the poetry trail – available to hire from the Rangers Office
  • waymarker posts positioned to show the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail, the Templer Way and Heritage trail walking routes
  • eight dog waste bins located near the car park and lake paths
  • two manual wheelchairs available to borrow – please contact the Rangers Office in advance
  • a Tramper mobility vehicle is available for hire under the Countryside Mobility South West Hire Scheme – please contact the Rangers Office or see the CMSW website for details
  • a refreshment van that is present most days for hot and cold drinks and snacks

Please note that no litter bins are provided as we encourage visitors to take their litter home.

Grid reference: SX835752 OS Explorer Map 110
Hours of operation: Open 24/7 all year. Toilets are closed on Christmas day only

Local Travel information

  • Traveline 08457 48 49 50.
  • Stagecoach South West X39 and X38 bus services.
  • Nearest train station: Newton Abbot
  • Train information 0871 200 22 33.