Grimspound is a late Bronze Age settlement on Dartmoor, Devon. It consists of a set of 24 hut circles surrounded by a low stone wall. It was probably first settled around 1300BC. Each of the roundhouses had a massive perimeter wall built of granite.
Today, the ring wall that enclosed the settlement can be clearly seen, and many of the hut circles are clearly identifiable. The surrounding country is desolate, with few signs of human habitation.
This is an inspiring place to visit, as one rarely has the opportunity to stand in the ruins of anything so old but still identifiable as housing. It can also be rather difficult to find, as there is little signage and there are few obvious landmarks on the nearby roads.
If you have the kind of sat-nav that lets you enter the OS ref or lat/long directly, that no doubt would be a great help. Otherwise, drive west along the B3212 from Moretonhampstead for about 8 miles, passing the Minature Pony Centre and ascending a hill. The road sweeps right, then left, and about 2 miles past the Minature Pony Centre there is a tarmac turning to the left, showing as a 40 deg. fork on the satellite view. (& possibly signed for Dunstone or Widdecombe). At about 1.2 miles look out for a dip and kink in the road with stopping place and an inconspicuous sign immediately preceding. Grimspound is about 400 yards above here to the left. (The surrounding wall shows faintly on the satellite view as a circle.)
If you see a track on the right joining from below, you are passing the place where you should stop…
