Divine Dartmoor Walks: A modern masterpiece and a tragic legend - Jay's Grave and the Giant's Chair

There might have been giants! Or there may once have been a 20ft sculpture called Giant’s Chair. This six mile Dartmoor walk takes in the site of the soon to be former modern masterpiece as well as a tragic legend, an ancient cross and the Bronze age settlement of Grimspound.

The day started at Jay’s Grave with a legend. The story of Kitty Jay is one of the more well known ones on Dartmoor and local award-winning musician Seth Lakeman even wrote a song about it.

In brief the legend says that in the late 18th century unmarried farm girl Kitty Jay became pregnant and after being left with no home and no reputation she committed suicide. In those days suicide victims were buried at crossroads to ensure that their restless souls didn’t wander and disturb the living. Every day fresh flowers are left on the grave and no-one knows who leaves them there.

There were plenty of flowers and even coins on Jay’s Grave (SX 732799), as I paid my respects and started on the footpath behind it towards Giant’s Chair.

After 0.6 of a mile Giant’s Chair (SX 733799) isn’t difficult to miss (unless you get here and it’s already been taken down). The 20ft sculpture was made from local oak by Henry Bruce in 2006. It was in a beautiful location overlooking the west Webburn valley. It’s also on private land so please be respectful if you take a closer look.

After taking my fill of photos I carried on along the footpath until I reached a gate and crossed a small road and through another gate, back on to moorland.

Here I ignored the signpost and kept left on a track which took me through a marshy area where lots of dragonflies and damsel flies kept me entertained while I tried to get some good shots with my zoom lens.

If you keep following this track on and then diagonally left it will take you on to the top of Hamel Down where you can join up with the Two Moors Way. This is the easier option, but I decided to follow the line of boundary stones up the ridge, so I found an animal path that took me right and over to Berry Pound (SX 713803) – the remains of a pre-historic enclosure.

After enjoying the view from Berry Pound I headed up the ridge and found Blue Jug boundary stone (SX 708803). This is at the head of the east Webburn river and is quite a boggy area so it might be prudent take the easier route if the weather has been wet.

These boundary stones mark the edges of the old Natsworthy estate and a little further on is the Grey Wethers boundary stone. Carry on up and you’ll meet a path.

Go left for a visit to Broad Barrow (SX 706799), one of the largest barrows on the moor, which is marked with a 19th century stone inscribed Broad Burrow.

Two Moors Way runs through this barrow and if you look towards the cairn on Hameldown Tor you’ll see it as the left path – the right being the one you just walked.

Follow the Two Moors Way along and on the left you’ll spot the remains of Hamel Down Cross (SX 704801). It is inscribed HC (Hamel Down Cross), DS (Duke of Somerest) and 1854.

Head towards Hameldown Tor (SX 703806) and admire the cairn, trig station and views. From here you have a steep descent to Grimspound (SX 700809) – a well-known Bronze age settlement of around four acres containing about 24 hut circles. The pound is large enough to go in and have a wander around with the dramatic backdrop of  Hookney Tor opposite.

Heading away from Grimspound the path splits into two so take the left one. This will take you to Heathercombe and down through the tranquil forest, ending up at the small road and gate which will take you back past the Giant’s Chair and then to Jay’s Grave.

Thinking of going on this walk? Check out the Giant’s Chair video!

• Want to take this walk with you? Use our option. Or download it to your phone to check on the way.

Watch Seth Lakeman’s song Kitty Jay

View East Dartmoor: Giant’s Chair and Grimspound in a larger map

• When walking on Dartmoor please ensure you take the right equipment with you, eg, waterproof, walking boots, water, a map, plus your common sense.

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