National Trust - Parke — Local services in Teignbridge

I live locally so this parkland and riverside wood is a fabulous facility, but I couldn't recommend Parke as a destination for anyone expecting the whole National Trust experience. It is just a river valley location with a corridor of woodland walks either side and some formal parkland, now declined and used for pasture immediately in front of the house. The house itself is not open to the public having been let as offices so is merely a feature to view from outside. There are tantalising glimpses of some long neglected features that pre-date the current site, but you almost need an archaeologist on hand to point them out. If only the National Trust would give the tenants notice to quit and spend some of their reserves on reinstating the house and grounds this place could certainly become a proper destination in...

This is a National Trust Country Park. Although it is an estate you only get to Tour the vast grounds, not the property. But it is a stunning day out walking with the dogs. Rivers/Woodland/Fields. Well maintained, wide solid paths. It may be a bit tricky to do the whole route with accessibility issues but wheelchairs are most definitely welcome and available to hire on site with disabled parking. Dogs were playing in and out the water, there were families paddling. Groups of teenagers chilling out. But by no means was it crowded either. Plenty of space to relax for everyone. You do have to pay for parking unless you're a National Trust member. There is a cafe, toilets, seating areas. If getting out for a day of R&R is what you're looking for I would recommend...

The car park ticket machine is impossible to work out, every year it looks more run down with the river bank’s crumbling away and the cafe has installed a weird beeping system where you have to collect you own tray. Not great when you’re on your own with a dog on a lead. I asked for help to take it to my table so I didn’t pour boiling water over me and the dog and the young man couldn’t have appeared more hacked off if he’d tried. And why is the cheese for the scones grated? It went everywhere but on the scone! And it was sooo expensive. I used to love this place but it just employs kids now and no one seems to have given any thought to the customer’s experience. Nothing...