Stover Country Park to open historic Grade II listed Gatehouse for Heritage Open Days

Stover Country Park will take part in this year’s Heritage Open Days with a programme of talks, guided walks and the chance to visit its restored Granite Gatehouse.

The Grade II listed Gatehouse, also known as Stover Granite Lodge, was recently restored as part of the Restoring Stover Park Project.

The conservation work removed it from Historic England’s “at risk” register.

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To begin the week, local resident and park volunteer Professor Peter Brooks will give two talks about his book Stover Granite Lodge: Somebody’s home for over 100 years.

The talks cover the history of the building and the people who lived there.

On Saturday 20 September, Park Manager Laura Whitehouse will lead a free guided walk exploring new footpaths which were created with National Heritage Lottery Fund support.

The walk runs from 9:30am to 12:30pm and booking is required.

Also on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, visitors will be able to step inside the Granite Gatehouse. This event is free and does not need advance booking.

The restoration work has been supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, National Highways, Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council, Bovey Tracey Town Council, Kingsteignton Town Council, Devon Remembers, and the Friends of Stover Park.

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “It’s a beautiful place with such a rich history that it’s worth a visit all year round. But I would encourage everyone to join these heritage events if they can. These events are a great opportunity to find out more about Stover and its history.”

Cllr Sally Morgan, County Councillor for Bovey Tracey Rural, added: “There is so much more to Stover than a lot of people realise. Here is an opportunity to find out more about the history of the area and to celebrate it. The conservation work on the Gatehouse, as well as the wider Restoring Stover Park Project, must be applauded.”