Grimspound

Heritage Site in Devon Teignbridge

England

Grimspound

Grimspound Wooden footpath sign pointing from the small roadside car park towards the remains of a Bronze Age settlement, today named Grimspound.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="www.dartmoor.gov.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Grimspound Credit: Colin Smith

Grimspound is an ancient and significant heritage site located in the county of Devon, England. This historical landmark is situated within Dartmoor National Park, about 5 miles west of the small town of Bovey Tracey. It is a well-preserved Bronze Age settlement that dates back to around 1300 BC, making it over 3,000 years old.

The site consists of a circular enclosure, encompassing an area of approximately 4 acres. Within the enclosure, there are 24 stone hut circles, which are believed to have been the dwelling places for the people who lived here during the Bronze Age. These hut circles were constructed using large granite stones, and some of them still have remnants of the original walls intact.

Grimspound is surrounded by a massive granite boundary wall, which measures about 4 meters in width and 1.5 meters in height. The wall is an impressive feat of ancient engineering, considering the limited tools and resources available during that time.

Excavations at Grimspound have revealed various artifacts, including pottery fragments, flint tools, and animal bones, providing valuable insights into the lives and practices of the people who once inhabited this settlement.

Today, Grimspound is a popular tourist attraction and a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. Visitors can explore the site and learn about the fascinating history and archaeology of the Bronze Age. The surrounding landscape offers breathtaking views of Dartmoor, adding to the overall experience of visiting this remarkable heritage site.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Grimspound Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.608/-3.83 or Grid Reference SX7080. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grimspound Wooden footpath sign pointing from the small roadside car park towards the remains of a Bronze Age settlement, today named Grimspound.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="www.dartmoor.gov.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Grimspound
Wooden footpath sign pointing from the small roadside car park towards the remains of a Bronze Age settlement, today named Grimspound. LinkExternal link
Hookney Tor Granite jointed and weathered rocks at Hookney Tor, 497m amsl.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="www.dartmoor.gov.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Hookney Tor
Granite jointed and weathered rocks at Hookney Tor, 497m amsl. LinkExternal link
Dartmoor - Firth Bridge View over a narrow road, winding across moorland with much bracken and heather.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="www.dartmoor.gov.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Dartmoor - Firth Bridge
View over a narrow road, winding across moorland with much bracken and heather. LinkExternal link
Moorland west of Grimspound The path leads to the prehistoric settlement.
Moorland west of Grimspound
The path leads to the prehistoric settlement.
Sheep near Grimspound With Grim's Lake on the right and the West Webburn valley behind.
Sheep near Grimspound
With Grim's Lake on the right and the West Webburn valley behind.
Path to Hookney Tor Looking right from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6964773">SX6980 : Sheep near Grimspound</a>, as the path crosses Grim's Lake and climbs to the tor.
Path to Hookney Tor
Looking right from SX6980 : Sheep near Grimspound, as the path crosses Grim's Lake and climbs to the tor.
Perimeter wall, Grimspound "The enclosure, which is known as Grimspound, survives as a stone and earth wall measuring between 2.5m and 3.5m wide, standing up to 1.25m high, surrounding an internal ovoid area of 1.45ha, containing at least 24 stone hut circles, several lynchets and rubble banks." <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014667" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014667">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Perimeter wall, Grimspound
"The enclosure, which is known as Grimspound, survives as a stone and earth wall measuring between 2.5m and 3.5m wide, standing up to 1.25m high, surrounding an internal ovoid area of 1.45ha, containing at least 24 stone hut circles, several lynchets and rubble banks." LinkExternal link
Path to Grimspound Descending from Hookney Tor. The layout of this Bronze Age settlement <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014667" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014667">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> is clearly seen from this hillside. The hill opposite is Hameldown Tor.
Path to Grimspound
Descending from Hookney Tor. The layout of this Bronze Age settlement LinkExternal link is clearly seen from this hillside. The hill opposite is Hameldown Tor.
Approaching Hookney Tor From the direction of Grimspound.
Approaching Hookney Tor
From the direction of Grimspound.
Hookney Tor "Of the tors that reside between the watersheds of the West and East Webburn Rivers, it is perhaps Hookney Tor that is the most spectacular, boasting a dominant position above the bronze-age village of Grimspound" <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.torsofdartmoor.co.uk/tor-page.php?tor=hookney-tor" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.torsofdartmoor.co.uk/tor-page.php?tor=hookney-tor">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Hookney Tor
"Of the tors that reside between the watersheds of the West and East Webburn Rivers, it is perhaps Hookney Tor that is the most spectacular, boasting a dominant position above the bronze-age village of Grimspound" LinkExternal link .
Rockpile, Hookney Tor A closer view of one of the rockpiles shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6970213">SX6981 : Hookney Tor</a>.
Rockpile, Hookney Tor
A closer view of one of the rockpiles shown in SX6981 : Hookney Tor.
Hookney Tor There are several separate parts to the tor; this was taken in a central spot.
Hookney Tor
There are several separate parts to the tor; this was taken in a central spot.
Hookney Tor A northern part of the tor.
Hookney Tor
A northern part of the tor.
Hookney Tor The other side of the rockpile shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6970230">SX6981 : Rockpile, Hookney Tor</a>.
Hookney Tor
The other side of the rockpile shown in SX6981 : Rockpile, Hookney Tor.
Descending from Hookney Tor The path is heading for Firth Bridge.
Descending from Hookney Tor
The path is heading for Firth Bridge.
Hookney Tor The southwestern part of the tor.
Hookney Tor
The southwestern part of the tor.
Path to Grimspound Cutting across the slopes below Hookney Tor. Part of the Bronze Age settlement of Grimspound can be seen left of centre, beneath Hameldown Tor.
Path to Grimspound
Cutting across the slopes below Hookney Tor. Part of the Bronze Age settlement of Grimspound can be seen left of centre, beneath Hameldown Tor.
Path below Hookney Tor Looking the other way along the path shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6970309">SX6981 : Path to Grimspound</a>.
Path below Hookney Tor
Looking the other way along the path shown in SX6981 : Path to Grimspound.
Show me another place!

Grimspound is located at Grid Ref: SX7080 (Lat: 50.608, Lng: -3.83)

Administrative County: Devon

District: Teignbridge

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///fights.observes.tucked. Near Moretonhampstead, Devon

Nearby Locations

Grimspound Hameldown Tor

Related Wikis

Grimspound

Grimspound is a late Bronze Age settlement, situated on Dartmoor in Devon, England. It consists of a set of 24 hut circles surrounded by a low stone wall...

Hookney Tor

Hookney Tor is a tor, situated on Dartmoor in Devon, England. It lies on the Two Moors Way and remains of Headland Warren farm and Vitifer Mine are also...

Jay's Grave

Jay's Grave (or Kitty Jay's Grave) is supposedly the last resting place of a suicide victim who is thought to have died in the late 18th century. It has...

Birch Tor and Vitifer mine

Birch Tor and Vitifer mine was a tin mine on Dartmoor, Devon, England. Located in the valley of the Redwater Brook, to the east of the B3212 Moretonhampstead...

Easdon Tor

Easdon Tor is a granite tor on Dartmoor, in southwest England. It stands at 439 metres above sea level and the highest point is marked with a triangulation...

Warren House Inn

The Warren House Inn is a remote and isolated public house in the heart of Dartmoor, Devon, England. It is the highest pub in southern England at 1,425...

Bowerman's Nose

Bowerman's Nose is a stack of weathered granite on Dartmoor, Devon, England. It is situated on the northern slopes of Hayne Down, about a mile from Hound...

The Great Thunderstorm

The Great Thunderstorm of Widecombe-in-the-Moor in Dartmoor, Kingdom of England, took place on Sunday, 21 October 1638, when the church of St Pancras was...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.608,-3.83
Broad Barrow
Historic: barrow
Source: GPS
Lat/Long: 50.604541/-3.8305848
Hemel Down Cross
Historic: cross
Note: Arms of the cross are no longer present
Lat/Long: 50.6062569/-3.8325213
TRIG PT
Wpt Symbol: Dot
Lat/Long: 50.6103952/-3.8342039
Hameldown Tor
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 50.6105975/-3.8342839
Historic: boundary_stone
Source: GPS
Lat/Long: 50.608666/-3.833578
Ele: 538
Natural: peak
Source: GPS
Lat/Long: 50.604451/-3.830243
Historic: boundary_stone
Source: GPS
Lat/Long: 50.604437/-3.83036
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Grimspound?

Leave your review of Grimspound below (or comments, questions and feedback).