Dartmoor National Park Authority

Okehampton Deer Park

This PAL contains a large and well preserved medieval landscape as well as important industrial features.

Archaeological remains of the prehistoric period are few; the main monument is an Iron Age settlement east of East Hill, defended by two ramparts.

The area south and west of the Army Camp is occupied by the remains of medieval fields and farmsteads, which were created around 1250AD and some of which at least continued in occupation until around 1400.  The eight farmsteads (generally one or more longhouses and accompanying barns) are scattered throughout the extent of the field system.  This scattered settlement pattern is an important phase in the development of present day settlement patterns.  The remains of boundaries and building walls appear as low stony grass-covered banks.

Within the fields are low banks, both straight and slightly curved, which are the result of ploughing and of the medieval custom of cultivating the land in long narrow strips.  In 1298, a deerpark was created here for the use of the owners of Okehampton Castle. It is now bounded by a drystone wall on the southern edge, the original deerpark may have been smaller, with its southern boundary north of Okehampton Camp.

On the western edge of the deerpark is the working quarry of Meldon.  West of this is a complex abandoned industrial landscape, dating from the 18th to the late 20th century.  Here limestone was quarried and burnt (to spread on fields); aplite (a form of granite) was quarried and for a brief period glass was manufactured.  Remains associated with quarrying; spoil heaps, buildings and structures (including two limekilns) and of wheelpits and leats can all be seen here.  Along the west bank of the West Okment River and close to the Red-a ven brook about 500 metres from the main complex are the remains of 19th century copper mining. The industrial landscape is of a complexity and diversity unequalled within the National Park.

At present only six of the medieval settlements and the Iron Age fort have been designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs).

Ecologically the PAL consists mainly of woodland pasture with some areas of Bracken. No UK BAP species are known to be present. However, this valuable habitat is often of high value for its Fungi. The old aplite quarries are notified as SSSIs.

What it should look like: Mostly enclosed land, the historic parkland vegetation requires appropriate grazing management to retain the parkland trees and mainly short grassland (5 to 15 cm). There are localised areas of Bracken and Common Gorse in the western end that require control. The aim would be their removal from the PAL.

Interactive Mapping (GIS) System

The link below provides access to an interactive map which shows the PAL at Okehampton Deer Park.  You can zoom in further on a specific area of interest using the tools provided.  (For additional help using the system please refer to our GIS help page.)

Page updated 16 September 2009