Dartmoor is home to over fifteen stone circles, most of which date back to the late Neolithic period and early Bronze Age. Many of these were used as ceremonial and burial sites, and others served as territory markers. While all of the moor’s stone circles share these roots, here are some of Dartmoor’s most interesting stone circles to visit.
Grey Wethers
This pair of prehistoric stone circles is situated near the Hamlet of Postbridge. Grey Wethers has an interesting selection of folklore legends attached, like many of Dartmoor’s attractions, with the most common being that a drunk farmer had bought what he had thought to be a fine flock of sheep, but upon inspection in the morning, they were the stones of Grey Wethers. Being two of the most popular stone circles on the moor, the path to the Grey Wethers is fairly easily accessible.
Image Credit: Herby under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fernworthy Stone Circle
Dating back to around 4000 years ago, this is a Bronze Age stone circle of twenty-seven granite blocks, about half an hour away from Fernworthy Reservoir. It is also not far from Grey Wethers, placed about a mile away southwest.
Image Credit: Dave Farmer / Fernworthy Stone Circle / CC BY-SA 2.0
Mardon Down Stone Circle
Not far from the town of Moretonhampstead, Mardon Down is the largest stone circle on Dartmoor, measuring 38 metres in diameter. Unfortunately, it is in a fairly rough state, with only a few of the original stones remaining, due to stone robbery. However, it still offers an insight into Dartmoor’s Neolithic era state, with the stones being supposedly older than Stonehenge.
Image Credit: Cairn circle on Mardon Down by Guy Wareham
Hingston Hill Stone Circle
Also known as the Down Tor stone circle, this stone circle sits at the end of a stone row of over 150 stones. It is located two miles southwest of Princetown, but can also be accessed from the northern end of the Burrator Reservoir.
Image Credit: Hingston Hill Stone Circle by Tony Atkin
Little Hound Tor Stone Circle
Also known as White Moor, this isolated stone circle is located miles away from anything, and is to be visited only by those brave enough to walk the uphill two-mile path to the site. However, it is an extremely interesting stone circle for those who brave the path.
Image Credit: Stone Circle on White Moor by Tony Atkin
Scorhill Stone Circle
One of the larger and more intact stone circles on the moor, the Scorhill stone circle is a popular landmark of Dartmoor’s Bronze Age history. It is located in the north east of Dartmoor, on the common near the village of Gidleigh. It has been described as ‘Devon’s finest stone circle’, and is a must-visit for anyone interested in Dartmoor’s stone circles.
Image Credit: Rowena Ford
Merrivale Stone Circle
Located in the Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement, this stone circle and standing stone are one of Dartmoor’s more popular Bronze Age sites. It is located between the towns of Princetown and Tavistock, within the parish of Whitchurch, with King’s Tor being in view to the south of the site.
Image Credit: Paul Allison / Merrivale Stone Rows / CC BY-SA 2.0
Yellowmead Stone Circle
This Bronze Age stone circle consists of four rings of stones within each other, with the largest being twenty metres in diameter, and the smallest being six. The stone circle once contained a burial cairn at its centre, which is now barely visible. It is located on Yellowmead Down, near Sheepstor.
These stone circles are some of Dartmoor’s best, and offer a fantastic opportunity to experience ancient artefacts in nature. Dartmoor has much more to offer, with its ancient history still being discovered to this day.
Image Credit: Nilfanion under CC BY-SA 3.0
These stone circles are some of Dartmoor’s best, and offer a fantastic opportunity to experience ancient artefacts in nature. Dartmoor has much more to offer, with its ancient history still being discovered to this day.
If you’d like to explore all that Dartmoor has to offer, then come and stay with us at Mill End Hotel in Chagford and relax in our historic 15th-century mill, country house hideaway!