Dissertation help wanted! (DARTMOOR!)

[Nicc]

Hi, I’m a final year student at Derby University but originally from South Devon.

At present I’m doing my dissertation, it is a study/research project on Adventure tourism on Dartmoor, concentrating on Princetown and the surrounding Tors, under the Adventure tourism umbrella I’m including, climbing, abseiling, caving, canoeing, Ten Tors, expedition training and off-roading and green-laning.

My aim and objective for this study is to discover and outline the relationship between the hosts and guests i.e. the local community of Princetown and the adventure tourists.

I feel it is important understand this relationship between the hosts and guest, as a large amount of research as been done on the environment impacts of adventure tourists, but little as been done on the social impacts.  

I will be completing my research by talking to both parties, the tourists and the locals, through a range of research methods including questionnaires and informal chats.

I am posting this on here today for anyone who as ever been in around the Princetown area of Dartmoor, I would really appreciate it if you could share your experiences and opinions, as an adventure tourist

I am interested in hearing your comments on the following;  

*When you have been to Princetown e.g times of years etc
 
*What activities you do when in and around Princetown eg green-laning and off-roading or any other activities you may take part in, i.e climbing etc

*The facilities, shops etc in Princetown you used and why/what for.

*How u feel when your there, i.e. if you feel welcome, including any encounters with the locals e.g in shops and pubs etc.

*Any other comments you feel would be suitable for this topic and stories you may have about Princetown.

I am also very keen to her from anyone who lives in and around Princetown.

Thanks very much for taking the time to read this I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings on the matter by replying to this post or by sending me a private message if you do which to share it with everyone else.

Many Thanks
Nicc.

[Edge]

I used to do orienteering on Dartmoor (various parts) with fellow work colleagues (Toshiba Plymouth) once a month (team building). Cant say I remember ever speaking to any of the locals, just other tourists/people from out of the area. Never done any off roading or greenlaning there though.

[Devon-Rover]

Hello.

I feel i could be of some use. Having lived just outside of plymouth i have extensive knowledge of dartmoor. So in answer of your questions.

Q:When you have been to Princetown e.g times of years etc:

:A I have been in princetown at all times of the year and at all times of day, be it personal social or pleasure purposes.

Q:What activities you do when in and around Princetown eg green-laning and off-roading or any other activities you may take part in, i.e climbing etc

A:As there is no Greenlanes within a few miles of Princetown, There is a few short bits of UCR near the Burrator dam and Forestry area. My Main activites are walking, Mountian biking and climbing.

Q:The facilities, shops etc in Princetown you used and why/what for.

A: I mainly use the Plume of feathers (pub) , The Railway inn (pub), The prince of Wales (pub), The post office, The old Police station (Chippy) and the Fox Tor cafe.

Q:How u feel when your there, i.e. if you feel welcome, including any encounters with the locals e.g in shops and pubs etc.

A: I feel welcome as i'm semi-considered a local  :shock:  And i know a few members who live and work there so really don't have that problem.

Q:Any other comments you feel would be suitable for this topic and stories you may have about Princetown.

A: Princetown is something of an unique community originally based upon the Prison, This was the Raison D'etre of having town surrounding it.  It is now a very Tourism based area wherr the majority of mony brought into the community is by the tourists who visit. As for the bredth of adventure activities availible in the Princetwon reigion there is limits. The main attraction is the moor with walkers, Letterboxers and MTB's There is some climbing availble, with the crags of Sheeps Tor Leather Tor, KIngs tor / Swell Tor Quarry, Foggintor Quarry (by permision of Maristow estate) And belive it or not a few routes on little and great Mis Tor. As above there isn't any greenlanes but some very short UCR's anything else is down on the Widecombe / Ashburton / Buckfastleigh side of the moor.

If there is any more Questions just ask away.

[WishIhadaLandy]

I have done a fair bit of walking on dartmoor, including around princetown, at most times of the year.
I've done a bit of MTB as well.
My school run several ten tors teams and loads of my friends did it.
The area around princetown is really nice and i love walking there but i only went into princetown itself a few times and that was mainly to get picked up or dropped of from a walk or ride.
Hope this helps a bit.

[Nicc]

Hey Guys

Thanks so much for your help, great replies and much appreciated and a great help towards me study.

I would be really grateful to hear from anyone else.

Thanks again!