About
Dunsland was once home to a grand Tudor manor house with roots in the Domesday Book, its interiors comparable, the Trust says, with Arlington Court or Saltram. The National Trust bought it in 1954 and restored it, but in November 1967, just before it was due to open to the public, the house caught fire three nights after a packed music recital. The caretakers escaped, alerted by their dog, Rover, and the ruins were later demolished. Only the old stable and coach house survive, with decorative stones and fishponds hidden in the foliage. From the car park the old carriageway climbs to the site of the house, now a peaceful picnic spot, and a track by the coach house leads to an orchard of 75 pear, apple and plum trees. Reviewers note that little of the house remains and that a visit is short. There are no toilets nearby, and dogs must be on leads as livestock graze the parkland.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- CountrysideDawn to dusk
Opening times may change at short notice.
The parkland is open from dawn to dusk.
There are no toilets at Dunsland or nearby, and no designated picnic areas.
Only the old stable and coach house survive from Dunsland House, destroyed by fire in 1967.
Buses 639 (Hatherleigh to Holsworthy) and 6 (Holsworthy to Okehampton) stop at Holemoor Cross by the main entrance.
Photo: The old carriage drive climbing through Dunsland's parkland towards the site of the house. Hugh Craddock, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carriage_drive_to_Dunsland_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5000553.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs are welcome on leads because livestock graze the parkland.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads in the parkland.
Leads: Dogs on leads (livestock grazing).
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
No admission charge is published for the parkland; free for everyone. Non-members pay to park through JustPark or the machine (tariff not published); National Trust members park free.
ParkingParking not known
The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.
Parking details
The car park uses the JustPark app (location code 80567) and payment machines for member check-in and non-member payments. National Trust members are not charged; the non-member tariff is not published on the National Trust page.
From the A3072 between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh, exit at Brandis Corner towards Holemoor; Dunsland is on the left a mile from Brandis Corner.
JustPark location code
80567Enter this code in JustPark to pay, or at the machine.
Reviews & Tips
No reviews yet
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Pins
No pin photos yet
