Blink and you’ll pass it. The village of Stanton Drew might have the third largest complex of prehistoric standing stones in England, but you have to be alert to see the brown sign for English Heritage site on the B3130 between Pensford and Chew Magna.
The turn-off is next to an old toll house and leads you over a small bridge over the River Chew to the picturesque village of fewer than 800 people. Take a left turn and there is a small car park for the village’s Neolithic monument where you pay £1 into a collection tin to view it.
The exact date for when the stone circle - 371ft in length - was built is unknown, but its thought to be between 2000 and 3000 BC. That’s a long time ago - and it takes your breath away to just imagine how long the surviving 26 stones have been in place for.
The circle would have been surrounded by a ditch and there would have also been some accompanying smaller stone circles outside it. What’s interesting is that very little is known about what the circle was for. There are theories. Some believe it was dedicated to funerary ritual.
But maybe that’s not important. What’s great is to stand within the stones and take in their power while surrounded by rolling countryside along with the cows happily graze in the field! After you finish, pop into The Druid’s Arms where there’s a good selection of beer and homemade dishes.
1. Many more
Recent surveys have revealed that the circles and cove were just part of a much more elaborate and important ritual site than had previously been imagined
2. Entrance
On entering the stone circle, people are asked to make a small on donation of £1 into a collection box
3. Quite stunning
Although the stones are mostly lying flat, you can picture the magnificence of the monument on being built
4. Grazing
The field is shared with cows so go easy when running around!