Dartington Hall Deer Park Walls

The Dartington Hall Deer Park walls are boundary walls that date back to around 1325, although they appear to have been reconstructed later. The existing walls are made of limestone rubble topped with a rubble capping and feature a string course. The walls on the east, south, and west sides of the park are mostly intact, though there are breaches for gateways in some areas, and a section on the south side has been rebuilt, likely in the 19th century. A short section on the south side has recently fallen, as noted in a 1986 survey. Much of the north side along the banks of the River Dart has been destroyed, but some foundations are still visible. These walls may have replaced original palings and currently enclose about 66 acres, although medieval records suggest the area was around 100 acres. There is an internal ditch along the northwest section where the land slopes steeply down to the River Dart, and during floods, a short section of the wall is actually in the river. The park may have been divided into compartments, as evidenced by a large stone rubble internal wall and earth banks in the western section. Another enclosure, known as Park Copse, is located to the north of the center and features a steep slope leading to the water meadows of the River Dart. While both enclosures are wooded, the rest of the park consists of arable farmland, except for the meadows to the north. The park was enclosed and stocked with deer by 1325. The Martin family owned Dartington from around 1107 to 1359, and the park's enclosure may have originated when Nicolas Fitz Martin received a "free warren" for his manor from Edward I between 1272 and 1307. In May 1326, the park was estimated to cover 100 acres.