Grimspound — Attraction in Teignbridge

Grimspound is one of the best prehistoric settlements in Dartmoor. The site is beautiful, incredibly evocative and unbelievably windy. The settlement is thought to be late bronze age, from around 1450 to 700 BC. The remains of 24 stone roundhouses can be found, 16 of which were excavated in the 19th century. Surrounding the huts circles is a massive ring of stone, 3 meters thick and half as high, 150 metres in diameter. A stream runs through the north half of the site would have provided reliable fresh water. There is a block paved path up to one of the "gates", but I am not sure is this is part of the original structure. The wall is not thought to be defensive but more agricultural in its purpose, keeping farmed animals in and wild animals out. Upland farming became common in Dartmoor at the end of the Neolithic era, it is likely the inhabitants of Grimspound were subsistence farmers. Changes to the climate and deterioration to the moorland soil likely lead to reduction in the population the area could support and perhaps the end of occupation at Grimspound. The current occupants of the site are the typical Dartmoor residents; sheep, ponies and the always photogenic...

'BRONZE AGE GRIMSPOUND DARTMOOR NATIONAL HERITAGE PARK U.K.'.,

An ancient stone circle settlement which is easily missed when driving along the nearby road..

Just look for a car 'lay by', on an upward bend with a farm house visible in the valley.. Easy..

This was an important settlement from which a 'GRANITE BLOCKED PAVEMENT' climbs up to the 'GRIMSPOUND TOR', (some of the placed granite blocks are quite large), where you can sit and watch the 'SUNSETS', the stars, 'SUNRISES'..

Walking up the steep hill side from 'GRIMSPOUND' takes you to a 'flat ridge', with views into the valley below, eventually if you walk in the right direction 'the ridge' marked wirh ancient features descends to 'WIDECOMBE'..

'FLAT GRANITE SLABS' cross the deep spring which runs past 'GRIMSPOUND', the stream can run as a torrent or be completely dry, depending on the weather, the stream from a hill spring being an important necessary feature to water cattle at this settlement..

'BRONZE AGE GRIMSPOUND DARTMOOR NATIONAL HERITAGE...

"Walking in the path of our ancestors" is what you are doing when you visit this Bronze age settlement. When you sit inside the ring of stones which was once their family home you appreciate what this small community was all about. A place of safety and survival in a very harsh environment. The perimeter wall has mostly been flattened now, however, the main entrance 'gate' clearly demonstrates how much effort and engineering must have gone into building the wall high enough to keep in the livestock and wood be intruders out. Well worth a visit and take plenty of time to listen to the stories from the ancestors who are really friendly and eager to share what it was like for them to live on this...