Stanton Drew

Stanton Drew, a small village in Somerset, England, is home to one of the most significant and lesser-known prehistoric sites in the UK: the Stanton Drew Stone Circles. Visiting Stanton Drew offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past, surrounded by the serene English countryside.

The site comprises three main stone circles: the Great Circle, the North-East Circle, and the South-West Circle, along with several other standing stones and stone avenues. The Great Circle, with a diameter of 113 meters, is one of the largest stone circles in Britain, second only to Avebury. The circle originally consisted of 30 stones, though many have fallen or are missing. Its sheer size and the mystery surrounding its purpose make it a captivating place to explore. I was fortunate enough to be there for a pagan ceremony, welcoming the four winds.

The North-East Circle and South-West Circle are smaller but equally intriguing. The North-East Circle is thought to have once included eight stones, while the South-West Circle has the remnants of twelve. Nearby, the Cove, a group of three large stones, adds to the site's enigmatic appeal. These arrangements suggest that Stanton Drew was a significant ceremonial site in the Neolithic period, used for rituals or gatherings.

Legend has it that the stones were once wedding guests who were turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday, a tale that adds a touch of local folklore to the site's history. The atmospheric setting, with the stones standing silently amid open fields, evokes a sense of timelessness and mystery.

Archaeological investigations have revealed that the site was used and modified over several millennia, indicating its long-standing importance to the communities that inhabited the area. Geophysical surveys have uncovered additional buried features, suggesting that the visible stones are part of a larger, complex ritual landscape.