Pictures of Jay's Grave

in the town of Widecombe in the Moor, in the county of Devon

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About Jay's Grave

As English legends go, that of Jay's Grave is a very sad and lonely one.

The ancient Dartmoor legend of Jay's Grave is about a young lady known locally as 'Kitty Jay'.

The legend dates back to the late 18th century where an orphaned pauper child subsequently named Kitty Jay was sent to a 'poor house', situated in East Street, in the market town of Newton Abbot, Devon, England.

As with all the residents of the poor house, once old enough, Kitty Jay was sent out to work. She was sent to Canna farm, where she was expected to carry out both household and farm duties. It was within this time that Kitty Jay, now a blossoming young lady, caught the eye of the farmer's son. A brief relationship took place and resulted in Kitty Jay becoming pregnant. It is said that the farmer's son denied any involvement with her and as such Kitty Jay was all alone in her forthcoming birth.

Of course back in those days, to be pregnant out of wedlock was an utter disgrace and totally unacceptable. As a result Kitty Jay was made an outcast of the town and given a bad reputation.

Sadly, this was too much for Kitty Jay to take and she committed suicide by way of hanging herself in one of the barns on the farm.

Opinions and custom at the time meant that Kitty Jay could not be buried in consecrated ground due to her suicide and so was cheated of a traditional Christian burial. Instead she was buried at a crossroad on the Parish Boundary between the villages of Widecombe and Manaton.

Legend says that a dark, sad looking figure is frequently seen visiting the grave. Tales report it may be that of the farmer's son, sent to watch over the grave of Kitty and his unborn child.

In latter years the remains from Kitty's grave are said to have been examined, the findings of which are said to have contained the remains of a young female.

It is reputed that fresh flowers are placed at Kitty's grave on a daily basis. Whomever places them there is unknown and all tied up in this enchanting, yet very sad tale.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Jay's Grave.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

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Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Jay's Grave

Buckland in the Moor in the county of Devon (4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction S)
This is one of Devon's "dream villages" with an attractive small church dating from the 13th century and a cluster of picturesque thickly thatched country cottages with the most "English" of country gardens.
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Postbridge in the county of Devon (5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W)
Postbridge is a tiny hamlet, yet this richly wooded area, at the heart of the moor has become a natural starting point for the thousands of visitors who annually come to explore the splendour and wonders of the moor.
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Chagford in the county of Devon (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)
With haunting scenery, quaint cottages, pretty streets and alleyways Chagford has something for everyone.
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Dartmeet in the county of Devon (5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction SW)
A popular tourist and beauty spot on Dartmoor. It is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East...
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Gidleigh in the county of Devon (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW)
The small wooded village of Gidleigh stands in superb wooded countryside at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park.
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Drewsteignton in the county of Devon (6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
This attractive village is one of the most beautifully laid out of all Devon villages with pretty cottages set around a fine village square.
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Two Bridges in the county of Devon (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction W)
Two Bridges is the junction of the two major routes across central Dartmoor, and thus attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
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Princetown in the county of Devon (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction SW)
Princetown is the highest village within the Dartmoor National Park, some call it the bleakest centre of the moors which is probably largely due to the town being the home of notorious Dartmoor Prison.
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Okehampton in the county of Devon (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction NW)
There has been a settlement at Okehampton since the Bronze-Age, later it became a prosperous Saxon town with the Saxon Lords being overthrown at the time of the Conquest.
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Exeter in the county of Devon (13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction NE)
Exeter is a bustling city in the heart of the county of Devon. It's mix of modern and functional with old and cultural makes for an interesting place to live, and to visit.
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Nearby travel help

Newton Abbot Station	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SE)
Yeoford Station	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction N)
M5 Junction 31	(13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 30	(16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction NE)
Exeter Airport	(18.7 miles, 30.1 km, direction NE)
Plymouth City Airport	(18.8 miles, 30.2 km, direction SW)
Jay's Grave to London	(171.5 miles, 275.9 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Jay's Grave

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Bovey Castle	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction N)
The Edgemoor Country House Hotel And Restaurant	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction E)
Sampsons Farm Country Hotel	(8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction SE)
Two Bridges Hotel	(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction SW)
Passage House Hotel	(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction SE)
Lord Haldon Hotel	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NE)
Cott Inn	(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction S)
Exeter Court Hotel	(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction E)
Fox & Hounds Hotel	(13.5 miles, 21.8 km, direction W)
Mercure Southgate Exeter	(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction NE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts