Name: Grimspound
Rating: 5.0

Grimspound

Postbridge, Yelverton, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Grimspound The best known of many prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor, Grimspound dates from the late Bronze Age (about 1450–700 BC). The remains of 24 stone roundhouses survive here, within a massive boundary wall about 150 metres in diameter. There are great views of the site from Hookney Tor and the high ground on Hameldown.

Grimspound is one of the best-known prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor, probably dating from the late Bronze Age (about 1500–800 BC). The remains of 24 houses enclosed within a stone wall, and further houses outside the enclosure, lie in a fold in the hills about 450 metres above sea level, between Hookney and Hameldown tors.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Grimspound: Grimspound is one of the best-known prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor, probably dating from the late Bronze Age (about 1500–800 BC). The remains of 24 houses enclosed within a stone wall, and further houses outside the enclosure, lie in a fold in the hills about 450 metres above sea level, between Hookney and Hameldown tors.
Grimspound in the Bronze Age: The earlier Neolithic period, from about 4000 BC, witnessed a transition from a hunting and gathering lifestyle towards a growing reliance on farming. By 2500 BC the early farmers were moving into upland areas like Dartmoor, and settled farms and field systems were becoming commonplace.
Excavations: Grimspound was excavated at the end of the 19th century by the newly formed Dartmoor Exploration Committee. They excavated 16 of the houses and found numerous structures and artefacts, including porches, paved floors, hearths, raised benches, cooking holes, charcoal, pottery and flint. The distinctive style of pottery helped to date the site to the Bronze Age, but there have been no recent excavations to recover organic material for radiocarbon dating.
Surviving structures: The great boundary wall is about 150 metres in diameter. Averaging 3 metres thick and standing up to 1.5 metres high, it is faced with large slabs laid in horizontal courses, with a core of smaller stones between the two faces. However, it seems unlikely that it was intended to be defensive. It was probably simply a barrier to keep wild animals out and farmed animals in.

Facilities

Parking: There is limited roadside parking in a layby, located on the right hand side approximately 1.4 miles (2.2km) after turning off the B3212. We advise you to lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.
Dogs: Ponies and sheep graze freely on the moor so please keep your dog on a lead.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/grimspound/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Postbridge, Yelverton, UK

Post Code: PL20 6TB

Council: Teignbridge

County: Devon

Road Access: 6 miles / 9.6 km south-west of Moretonhampstead, off B3212.
Bus Access: Country Bus 171 runs Mon to Sat during the Spring and Summer months. The nearest bus stop is Challacombe Cross, a 1.6 mile / 2.6 kms walk to Grimspound. Alternatively, MD Coaches Bus 671 runs on Wednesdays only, all-year round from Okehampton Fore Street to Heatree Cross, a 2.3 miles / 3.7 kms walk to Grimspound. OS Explorer Map OL28 advised.
Train Access: Newton Abbot Station (13.9 miles / 22.3 kms). Walk to Sherborne Road (0.6 mile / 1.0 km) to catch Bus 171. Exeter Central Station (19.3 miles / 31.1 kms). Catch Bus 359 outside the station on Queen Street (stop 27) to Moretonhampstead, changing to Bus 171.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is limited roadside parking in a layby, located on the right hand side approximately 1.4 miles (2.2km) after turning off the B3212. We advise you to lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.