Kingston Russell Stone Circle by Blackbeck from Getty Images Signature
Kingston Russell Stone Circle
The Kingston Russell Stone Circle is a significant prehistoric monument located on a chalk ridge that offers a commanding view of the surrounding downland. This ancient site, notable for its irregular yet almost circular layout, has a maximum diameter of 30 meters and currently features 18 visible stones. The circle’s interior rests on level ground, enhancing its striking appearance against the natural backdrop. The stones themselves, composed of sarsen or conglomerate, are all now recumbent, indicating they have fallen from their original upright positions over time. These stones vary in size, with some measuring up to 2 meters by 0.5 meters, while others are smaller, around 1 meter by 0.3 meters. The partial burial of these stones suggests that their true size may be greater than what is presently visible, hinting at their original impressive stature.
The historical importance of the Kingston Russell Stone Circle is underscored by records that mention two additional stones located outside the main circle. However, the authenticity of their original placement remains uncertain, adding an element of mystery to the site’s layout and history. The circle’s construction and the materials used offer valuable insights into the practices and capabilities of the people who erected it. The use of sarsen and conglomerate, both robust and enduring materials, highlights the significance attributed to this monument by its builders.
Despite the passage of time and the natural wear and tear that has left all the stones in a recumbent state, the Kingston Russell Stone Circle continues to captivate historians, archaeologists, and visitors alike. Its position on a chalk ridge not only provides a picturesque setting but also implies a deliberate choice by its creators, possibly for ceremonial or astronomical purposes. The monument’s partial burial and the varying sizes of the stones contribute to ongoing research and debates regarding the circle’s original appearance and function.
The site is carefully managed to preserve its historical integrity. While the stones themselves are protected, modern additions such as the information notice board on the south-eastern side are excluded from the official scheduling, although the underlying ground remains included. This approach ensures that visitors can learn about the site without compromising its preservation. The Kingston Russell Stone Circle stands as a testament to the ingenuity and cultural significance of its prehistoric creators, continuing to inspire awe and curiosity in all who encounter it.
Created: 26 May 2024 Edited: 17 September 2024
Kingston Russell Stone Circle
Kingston Russell Stone Circle LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Kingston Russell Stone Circle
There are some historic monuments around including:
Bowl barrow 605m south west of Long Barrow FarmRound barrows W of Blagdon BarnBowl barrow 770m north of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownStanding stone called The Broad StoneThree round barrows E of Smitten CornerBowl barrow 850m north west of Whitefriars Broiler HousesDyke on Wears HillBowl barrow 300m WNW of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 500m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryEnclosure on Sheep Down 930m south east of Heart ClumpChambered long barrow N of Loscombe PlantationBowl barrow 800m north east of Gorwell FarmThe Kingston Russell stone circle 750m north east of Gorwell FarmLangton Cross: a wayside cross 850m south west of Tatton HouseBowl barrow 220m NNW of Topparts DairyGroup of three round barrows on Eggardon HillRound barrow NW of Long Bottom PlantationLarge multivallate hillfort containing two bowl barrows 855m north east of North Eggardon FarmDyke SE of Eggardon Hill campBowl barrow 800m south of Kingston Russell Farm, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow 500m NNW of Topparts DairyTwo fishponds in Oddens WoodBowl barrow 450m north east of Manor Farm, part of the Pound Hill round barrow cemeteryBell barrow 100m south of Winterbourne Poor Lot, part of the Winterbourne Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 265m north west of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryThree bowl barrows on The Knoll 450m north west of TreetopsLynchets S of Stavordale WoodFour bowl barrows 500m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 680m north east of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownCross dyke 600m north of Pitcombe FarmSix round barrows 200m west of New Planting, forming part of the Three Barrow Clump round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow in Well Bottom WoodBowl barrow 400m north east of Look FarmGroup of three round barrows SW of Longlands BarnBowl barrow on Black Down, 870m north west of the Hardy MonumentBowl barrow and pond barrow within Well Bottom Wood, part of the Winterbourne Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryEarthworks on Askerswell DownEggardon Hill disc barrowThree barrows near Town Hill BarnBowl barrow 600m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeterySt Peter's AbbeyBowl barrow 340m north west of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryGroup of five round barrows on White HillBowl barrow 320m north west of Coombefield FarmRound barrow SW of villageOld Warren earthworkTwenty-one barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery at Winterbourne Poor LotPart of a Later Prehistoric or Romano-British field system 250m north of Eggardon Hill FarmBowl barrow180m east of Hogleaze BungalowPenannular ditched enclosure, 150m south of Turner's Farm BarnBowl barrow on Black Down, 400m north west of the Hardy MonumentRound barrow SW of Pigeon House CottagesBowl barrow in New Planting, forming part of the Three Barrow Clump round barrow cemeteryBell barrow and five bowl barrows 1000m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryRound barrows on Sheep DownFour bowl barrows 725m ESE of Wears FarmBowl barrow on Black Down, 80m south east of the Hardy MonumentBowl barrow and disc barrow 900m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryRound barrows N of Pound HillBowl barrow 165m NNW of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryTriple barrow and bowl barrow forming part of a barrow cemetery and part of an associated field system 250m north east of Winterbourne Poor LotBowl barrow 450m NNW of Field BarnBowl barrow 200m south of Winterbourne Poor Lot forming part of the Winterbourne Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryFrampton Roman villaDuck decoy at Abbotsbury Swannery, 630m SSW of Horsepool FarmBell barrow 850m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 600m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryTwo bowl barrows 1250m east of Notton Hill BarnBell barrow 125m west of Longlands Farm, forming part of the Longlands round barrow cemeteryBarrow 300yds (280m) SW of Kingston FarmBowl barrow on Sheep Down, 600m east of Home Farm CottagesStanding stone 700m south east of North Barn FarmBowl barrow 550m north east of Pitcombe Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow on Black Down, 770m north west of the Hardy MonumentBowl barrow 300m west of New Planting, forming part of the Three Barrow Clump round barrow cemeteryGroup of three round barrows W of Two GatesFour round barrows NW of Blagdon BarnDyke on Long Barrow HillBowl barrow 360m south of Compton BarnTwo conjoined bowl barrows 550m north east of Manor FarmSettlement E of Brow CopseBarrow beside Shotcombe LaneBowl barrow 645m south west of North Barn FarmDisc barrow 500m south east of Winterbourne Poor LotPart of a Later Iron Age or Romano-British settlement 590m north west of Compton BarnTwo round barrows at crossroads N of villageThree bowl barrows on Tulk's Hill 800m north of East Bexington FarmThree bowl barrows at Dry Wood, forming part of the Longlands round barrow cemeteryThree bowl barrows 300m south west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryTwo bowl barrows on Black Down immediately east of the Hardy MonumentBarrow 650yds (600m) N of North Barn FarmBowl barrow and pond barrow 880m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down barrow cemeteryTwo bowl barrows 700m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryField system in Valley of Stones (including earthwork N of Crow Hill)Bowl barrow 355m north west of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 350m NNW of Topparts DairyBowl barrow 750m SSE of Lower Kingston Russell FarmTwo bowl barrows 283m SSE of the Grey Mare and her ColtsAbbotsbury Castle (camp)St Catherine's Chapel, field system and quarries at Chapel HillBronze Age enclosure, associated linear earthworks and field system, and a later dewpond on Tenants HillDyke on Haydon DownLong barrow W of Hampton BarnLong barrow E of Northfield PlantationBowl barrow and disc barrow 730m south of Kingston Russell Farm, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow 550m WNW of Dowerfield HouseLong mound 860m NNE of Whatcombe House, associated with the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownRound barrow E of The BuildingsBowl barrow on Limekiln Hill 500m north of Labour-in-Vain FarmEarthwork 80yds (70m) long NW of Coombe BottomRound barrow 250yds (230m) S of Chapel CoppiceTwo bowl barrows 400m west of Longlands Farm, forming part of the Longlands round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 400m north east of Manor Farm, part of the Pound Hill round barrow cemeteryTwo long barrows and round barrows on Long Barrow HillLong barrow NE of AshleyGroup of barrows near Big WoodCamp on Chilcombe HillBowl barrow 120m east of White Hill WoodLong mound and three bowl barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery 760m NNE of Whatcombe House on the south western part of Black DownThe Nine Stones: a small concentric stone circle 750m west of Winterbourne AbbasRound barrow in White Hill PlantationTwo round barrows on Wears HillTwo bell barrows 15m north of Well Bottom Wood, part of the Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryRound barrow 230yds (210m) E of White Hill PlantationBowl barrow 140m south east of Broadwater CottageRound barrow E of Two GatesBowl barrow 450m NNE of West Hill FarmBowl barrow on Limekiln Hill 650m south east of Green LeazeBowl barrow on Black Down, 50m south of the Hardy MonumentBowl barrow 700m east of South Eggardon FarmBowl barrow 810m NNE of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow on Black Down, 450m north west of the Hardy MonumentHampton stone circleHelstone burial chamberBowl barrow 700m NNW of Whitefriars Broiler HousesBowl Barrow, 710m south-west of Woolcombe FarmBowl barrow on Black Down, 150m north west of the Hardy MonumentLime kiln 800ft (245m) NW of Langton CrossChambered tomb called The Grey Mare and her ColtsLong barrow 200m north west of Longlands FarmDisc barrow 200m north east of Winterbourne Poor Lot, forming part of the Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryChambered tomb 900m south west of Manor FarmRound barrow on Pound HillBowl barrow 800m NNE of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow 620m south west of Eggardon Hill Farm.
