Stanton Drew is home to one of the largest and least disturbed groups of prehistoric stone circles in Britain. Tucked away in the North East Somerset countryside, just south of Bristol, the site includes three stone circles and a series of smaller standing stones, all of which date back to around 2-3000 BC / the Late Neolithic period.
The largest of the circles, known as the Great Circle, is over 110 metres wide and originally featured around 30 massive stones, many of which still stand or lie where they fell. This makes it the second-largest stone circle in England after Avebury in Wiltshire. Nearby, the North East and South West Circles form part of the same ceremonial complex, with alignments and distances that suggest careful planning and shared ritual use.
A short walk from the main site, The Cove stands in the garden of the village pub. These three large stones may have formed part of a burial chamber or been a focus for ceremonies. It is thought these stones predate the main site by as much as a thousand years.
Further out lies the so-called Hautville’s Quoit, a single, now recumbent stone linked to local folklore. Although much diminished, this site shows some alignment with the main circle.
Stanton Drew remains largely unexcavated, which adds to its mystery. A geophysical survey has revealed complex features beneath the surface including post holes and possible timber structures. This points to it being an even larger ceremonial landscape than is visible today.
Unlike more visited sites, Stanton Drew is quiet, with open access and little in the way of visitor facilities. That simplicity is part of its appeal. It’s a place to walk, think and imagine, surrounded by open fields and a long, unspoken past.
There may be a small entry charge by the farmer who owns the field and dogs are not allowed.
