The parish of Manaton lies within Dartmoor National Park. Manaton village is at the East of the parish and is an excellent starting point for Dartmoor walks. The area is steeped in ancient folklore and some of the legends give rise to fascinating stories and places to visit. There is a Bronze Age settlement at Grimspound and at Becky Falls, a woodland park with Dartmoor ponies. The legend of Jay’s Grave is famous throughout Manaton. Kitty Jay, a serving girl, was seduced and became pregnant while working at Ford Farm, Manaton. Persecuted by locals, she hanged herself and according to tradition, buried at a crossroads. In 1863, workmen discovered bones of a young girl, which were subsequently coffined and reburied at the spot, with a mound erected to mark the place. Kitty’s ghost is said to wander by the grave on moonlit nights. The naturally formed rock formation at Bowerman’s Nose gives rise to another local legend. The formation resembles a man and according to ancient folklore, Bowerman was a kindly giant who outraged evil witches who pursued him across the moor and turned him into stone. The scattered rocks around Bowerman’s Nose are said to be his petrified hounds.
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Places to Stay near Manaton
Hazelcott Bed & Breakfast (0.68 miles)
Is a cosy and select bed and breakfast offering comfortable en suite rooms in the spectacular setting of Dartmoor National Park. Hazelcott is the ideal base for couples, families, walkers cyclists and business people.
Settled on the ... More | visit website
Gate House (1.70 miles)
Blackaller Hotel (1.73 miles)
Walks from the house (a 17th century) ex-wool mill are reason enough to come here. On the edge of one of Dartmoor's prettiest villages, lawned gardens run down to the river Bovey. Bedrooms ... More | visit websiteHighfield House (1.86 miles)
The Rock Inn (1.89 miles)
Eastwrey Barton (2.11 miles)
Woodley House (2.19 miles)
Lustleigh Mills (2.20 miles)
Bovey Castle (2.28 miles)
History, glamour, excitement and adventure - Bovey Castle is truly a luxurious award winning hotel set in beautiful countryside surroundings. A place where you can live out your dreams then put your feet up. In the ... More | visit website
Moorlands (2.73 miles)
This fine Country House is situated high on the moor below Haytor Rocks, one of Dartmoor’s best-known landmarks. It was this magnificent setting that inspired Agatha Christie to write her ... More
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