Name: The Nine Stones
Rating: 5.0

The Nine Stones

West Way, Winterbourne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9LX, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

The Nine Stones now in a wooded glade, this small prehistoric circle of nine standing stones was constructed around 4,000 years ago. Lying in a wooded glade just yards from the busy A35, this little stone circle resembles a huddle of ancient conspirators, lurking in the trees. The Nine Stones, which are very irregular in shape and size, are arranged in a near circle, which has a maximum diameter of 8 metres (26 feet).

Seven of the stones are under 1 metre (3 feet) high, although as they are all partially buried they may be larger than the exposed parts suggest. Two larger stones on the north-west side of the circle are about 1.5 metres (5 feet) high and 1.5 metres wide. The stones are roughly spaced at 1m intervals around the circle, though there is a gap of 3 metres (10 feet) between the two larger stones suggesting a possible entrance.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of the Nine Stones, Winterbourne Abbas: Lying in a wooded glade just yards from the busy A35, this little stone circle resembles a huddle of ancient conspirators, lurking in the trees. The Nine Stones, which are very irregular in shape and size, are arranged in a near circle, which has a maximum diameter of 8 metres (26 feet).
Seven of the stones are under 1 metre (3 feet) high, although as they are all partially buried they may be larger than the exposed parts suggest.
Two larger stones on the north-west side of the circle are about 1.5 metres (5 feet) high and 1.5 metres wide. The stones are roughly spaced at 1m intervals around the circle, though there is a gap of 3 metres (10 feet) between the two larger stones suggesting a possible entrance.
Stone circles are found throughout England. They are concentrated in upland areas such as Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and the Lake District, although this may not reflect their original distribution. Where excavated, they have been found to date from the late Neolithic to middle Bronze Age (about 2500–1000 BC). All are carefully laid out, with the stones regularly spaced.
Although we do not fully understand why they were built or how they were used, it is clear that they had ritual importance for the people who used them: in many cases, excavation has revealed evidence of burials and associated rituals. Some seem to have been carefully aligned so as to help mark the passage of time and the seasons.
The Nine Stones is one of only four stone circles to survive in south Dorset, and its location in a valley bottom is very unusual.

Facilities

Parking: The Coach House Inn in Winterbourne Abbas has kindly allowed visitors to Nine Stones to park in their car park – but please avoid the busy Sunday lunchtimes.
Dogs: Cattle may be present in the field, so please keep dogs on leads.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: West Way, Winterbourne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9LX, UK

Post Code: DT2 9LX

Council: Dorset

County: Dorset

Road Access: 0.3 miles / 0.5 km west of Winterbourne Abbas, on A35.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop is Coach and Horses, Winterborne Abbas 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from the Stones. Catch First Bus X51 (Daily) from Weymouth and Dorchester, also from Axminster, Lyme Regis and Bridport to Winterborne Abbas, then follow permissive footpath as described.
Train Access: Dorchester South or West Stations, both 5.4miles / 9 km from The Nine Stones. From Dorchester South Station (Stop A) catch Bus X51 to Winterborne Abbas. From Dorchester West Station walk 350 metres to Brewery Square (Stop C) to catch Bus X51.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: The Coach House Inn in Winterbourne Abbas has kindly allowed visitors to Nine Stones to park in their car park – but please avoid the busy Sunday lunchtimes.