The Nine Stones by Steve Simmons from Getty Images
The Nine Stones
The Nine Stones is a small but significant stone circle located near Winterbourne Abbas in Dorchester, situated in the tranquil valley bottom of the South Dorset Downs but next to a busy road, close to the South Winterbourne stream. This prehistoric monument, known for its historical and archaeological value, was first documented in the 18th century by notable antiquarians such as John Aubrey, William Stukeley, and William Hutchins. Their early descriptions remarkably match the current appearance of the site, underscoring its enduring presence through the centuries.
The circle comprises stones made of sarsen or conglomerate, arranged in an irregular yet discernible circular formation. The internal diameter of the circle measures approximately 8 meters, with the stones varying in size. They range from 1.5 meters to 0.5 meters in width and 1.5 meters to 0.45 meters in height. These stones, partially buried over time, might be larger than what is visible on the surface. Notably, the two largest stones, located in the northern and western sections of the circle, each measure around 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, suggesting their prominence or possible significance within the arrangement.
The stones are generally spaced at regular intervals of about 1 meter around the circle, except for a 3-meter gap on the northern side, which could indicate a potential entrance to the circle. This feature adds an element of intrigue, possibly hinting at the circle’s original use or symbolic meaning. While modern additions such as fence posts, gates, and an informational notice board are present, these are excluded from the site’s official scheduling to preserve its historical integrity. The ground beneath, however, remains protected, ensuring that the Nine Stones continues to be a valuable link to our prehistoric past.
Created: 26 May 2024 Edited: 10 June 2024
The Nine Stones
The Nine Stones LiDAR Map
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around The Nine Stones
There are some historic monuments around including:
Round barrows on Sheep DownChambered tomb called The Grey Mare and her ColtsLong mound 860m NNE of Whatcombe House, associated with the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow 605m south west of Long Barrow FarmBowl barrow in Well Bottom WoodBowl barrow on Black Down, 450m north west of the Hardy MonumentThree bowl barrows 300m south west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryFrampton Roman villaFour bowl barrows 500m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryRound barrow 230yds (210m) E of White Hill PlantationBowl barrow and disc barrow 900m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 550m north east of Pitcombe Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 550m WNW of Dowerfield HouseLong mound and three bowl barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery 760m NNE of Whatcombe House on the south western part of Black DownBell barrow and five bowl barrows 1000m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow on Black Down, 50m south of the Hardy MonumentTwo bell barrows 15m north of Well Bottom Wood, part of the Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 165m NNW of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryLong barrow E of Northfield PlantationGroup of barrows near Big WoodBowl barrow on Black Down, 870m north west of the Hardy MonumentThree barrows S of Hart Hill PlantationGroup of round barrows on and to E of Great HillTwenty-one barrows forming part of a round barrow cemetery at Winterbourne Poor LotCross dyke 600m north of Pitcombe FarmRound barrow 250yds (230m) S of Chapel CoppiceRound barrow SW of Ashton CottagesBowl barrow 810m NNE of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow 200m south of Winterbourne Poor Lot forming part of the Winterbourne Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 660m south west of ChilstockDisc barrow 500m south east of Winterbourne Poor LotBarrow E of Red BarnTwo bowl barrows 700m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryThe Nine Stones: a small concentric stone circle 750m west of Winterbourne AbbasRound barrow NW of Long Bottom PlantationBowl barrow 770m north of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownBowl barrow 300m west of New Planting, forming part of the Three Barrow Clump round barrow cemeteryRound barrow NE of Hog Hill BarnMedieval standing cross 11m south east of the south porch of St Mary's ChurchEnclosure on Sheep Down 930m south east of Heart ClumpFriar Waddon Hill round barrowsBowl barrow on Black Down, 770m north west of the Hardy MonumentThree barrows N of Penn HillLynchets S of Stavordale WoodTwo round barrows on North HillFour round barrows NW of Blagdon BarnBowl barrow 500m NNW of Topparts DairyGroup of three round barrows SW of Longlands BarnDyke on Long Barrow HillBowl barrow 220m NNW of Topparts DairyDuck decoy at Abbotsbury Swannery, 630m SSW of Horsepool FarmBowl barrow 340m north west of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryTwo fishponds in Oddens WoodGroup of round barrows on Shorn Hill and Bronkham HillGroup of barrows S of Goldsmith's PlantationTwo round barrows at crossroads N of villageBowl barrow 800m south of Kingston Russell Farm, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownLong barrow 200m north west of Longlands FarmRound barrow on Rew HillBowl barrow 600m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeterySt Peter's AbbeyBowl barrow 800m NNE of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownTriple barrow and bowl barrow forming part of a barrow cemetery and part of an associated field system 250m north east of Winterbourne Poor LotDisc barrow 200m north east of Winterbourne Poor Lot, forming part of the Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryTwo bowl barrows on Black Down immediately east of the Hardy MonumentGroup of round barrows near Eweleaze BarnBarrow S of Three-Cornered PlantationBell barrow 850m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down round barrow cemeteryRound barrow on Stratton DownRound barrow NW of Jackman's CrossBowl barrow180m east of Hogleaze BungalowThree round barrows E of Smitten CornerLong barrow W of Hampton BarnBowl barrow 600m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 350m NNW of Topparts DairyBowl barrow on Black Down, 400m north west of the Hardy MonumentBowl barrow 355m north west of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryThe Kingston Russell stone circle 750m north east of Gorwell FarmBowl barrow and pond barrow 880m south east of Kingston Russell Farm, part of the Black Down barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 360m south of Compton BarnBowl barrow 700m NNW of Whitefriars Broiler HousesBowl barrow 450m NNW of Field BarnBell barrow 125m west of Longlands Farm, forming part of the Longlands round barrow cemeteryFour bowl barrows 725m ESE of Wears FarmRound barrow SW of villageBowl barrow on Sheep Down, 600m east of Home Farm CottagesThree barrows near Town Hill BarnMedieval standing cross 190m south east of St Mary's ChurchTwo long barrows and round barrows on Long Barrow HillBowl barrow185m WSW of Higher Skippet FarmRound barrow on Shorn HillBowl barrow 750m SSE of Lower Kingston Russell FarmBowl barrow 300m WNW of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryChambered long barrow N of Loscombe PlantationBowl barrow 265m north west of White Hill Barn, forming part of the White Hill round barrow cemeteryRound barrows on Grove HillThree bowl barrows at Dry Wood, forming part of the Longlands round barrow cemeteryPigeon House long barrowBowl barrow 120m east of White Hill WoodCross-ridge dyke on WindsbatchDyke on Wears HillLong barrow NW of Red BarnThe Clandon Barrow, 450m west of Clandon FarmOld Warren earthworkBowl barrow 450m NNE of West Hill FarmGroup of barrows in Seven Barrow PlantationRound barrows N of Pound HillPart of a Later Iron Age or Romano-British settlement 590m north west of Compton BarnField system in Valley of Stones (including earthwork N of Crow Hill)Round barrows W of Blagdon BarnBowl barrow 500m west of Well Bottom Wood, forming part of the Pitcombe Down round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow and disc barrow 730m south of Kingston Russell Farm, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownSix round barrows 200m west of New Planting, forming part of the Three Barrow Clump round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow on Black Down, 150m north west of the Hardy MonumentBowl barrow1050m WNW of Manor FarmBowl barrow 140m south east of Broadwater CottageStanding stone 700m south east of North Barn FarmRound barrow 1/4 mile (400m) N of Ridge HillBell barrow 100m south of Winterbourne Poor Lot, part of the Winterbourne Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow and pond barrow within Well Bottom Wood, part of the Winterbourne Poor Lot round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 780m north east of Hampton FarmRound barrow SW of Pigeon House CottagesRound barrow in White Hill PlantationGroup of five round barrows on White HillLong barrow NE of AshleyBowl barrow 680m north east of Whatcombe House, forming part of the round barrow cemetery on the south western part of Black DownRound barrow N of RidgewayRound barrow E of Two GatesTwo bowl barrows 720m south east of Friar Waddon HouseBowl barrow on Black Down, 80m south east of the Hardy MonumentBarrow 300yds (280m) SW of Kingston FarmSt Catherine's Chapel, field system and quarries at Chapel HillBowl barrow 645m south west of North Barn FarmField system W of Fore HillHelstone burial chamberHampton stone circleRound barrow N of Ballarat HouseGroup of round barrows on RidgewayCross in St Mary's churchyardEarthwork N of Hampton PlantationsRound barrow in Grimstone ClumpsRound barrows on Four Barrow HillTwo barrows at RewBronze Age enclosure, associated linear earthworks and field system, and a later dewpond on Tenants HillRound barrow E of The BuildingsTwo conjoined bowl barrows 550m north east of Manor FarmStanding stone called The Broad StoneBowl barrow in New Planting, forming part of the Three Barrow Clump round barrow cemeteryGroup of three round barrows NE of Jackman's CrossRound barrow on Pound HillTwo round barrows on Wears HillBowl barrow 450m north east of Manor Farm, part of the Pound Hill round barrow cemeteryBarrow 650yds (600m) N of North Barn FarmTwo bowl barrows 400m west of Longlands Farm, forming part of the Longlands round barrow cemeteryMulti-period landscape including an Iron Age or Romano British settlement, part of an associated field system, six bowl barrows and an enclosure 600m south east of Langford FarmWynford Wood boundary bankBowl barrow 850m north west of Whitefriars Broiler HousesTwo bowl barrows 1250m east of Notton Hill BarnBowl barrow 360m south west of Clandon FarmBarrow on parish boundaryTwo round barrows on RidgewayTwo bowl barrows 283m SSE of the Grey Mare and her ColtsBowl barrow 400m north east of Manor Farm, part of the Pound Hill round barrow cemeteryRound barrow NE of Friar WaddonRound barrow on Magiston HillRound barrow on Hogcliff HillBowl barrow 800m north east of Gorwell Farm.
