TORS OF DARTMOOR
a database of both lesser- & well-known rocks and outcrops
Southbrook Rocks Under the old railbed of the track between Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh that closed in 1964, is an impressive crag of rock that overlooks a bend in the lively River Bovey just downstream of the old stone bridge that leads into the Parke Estate and on to the Headquarters of Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) at Parke House.  Set on the north side of the river the rocks here mostly form a cliff face that virtually abuts to water's edge. It is a picturesque spot much visited by people who now walk and cycle the old railway that has been restored for that purpose.  On the higher side the rocks are part exposed in the old embankment but are clearly not composed of granite, the deep channel for the trains was cut through here before the opening of the railway in 1866. Southbrook Rocks lie below the farm of the same name and tower over the confluence of the brook with the river right on the edge of the National Park boundary, they are little more than 300 metres from the main Parke House.  In November 2020, it was noticed that access to the Rocks had been temporarily closed off because a footbridge had collapsed which caused the path to become unsafe. However, as of 2025, access has been restored thanks to the installation of a new footbridge. To add to that, a railing has been drilled into the Rocks to be used as a handhold to help steady the walker around the Rocks on this side.
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