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Devil's Quoits Open Day

13 September 2008

Yesterday the Devil's Quoits stone circle in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, was officially opened after more than 15 years of planning and effort to make it happen.

Devil's Quoits — Images

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<b>Devil's Quoits</b>Posted by Jane
People who have been involved in the project of reconstructing it were all there: archaeologists, engineers, surveyors, land managers and people from the waste disposal site whose land it is on, to talk about what they'd achieved.

Moth and I tracked down a number of people who had been instrumental in the project from the start. George Lambrick, now of the Rollright Trust, and Gill Hey and Granville Laws from Oxford Archaeology excavated the site. They carefully plotted the position of original socket holes and the profile of the original ditch and bank so that the reconstruction could be as faithful as possible.

The eight remaining original stones re-erected earlier this summer have been joined by new ones of the same type, ironstone conglomerate if I remember correctly, sourced and donated from Smith's quarry just a mile away in Ducklington. Happily the largest stone of the circle is an original, weighing in at six and half tons, thrillingly back in its original position.

Since I was last at the Quoits a few weeks ago when I had to sneak in via the bottom of the lake, the grass and weeds have been mown, and much of the litter dropped by crows and gulls wheeling over the neighbouring landfill has been removed. As well as the litter, they streaked the bright orange stones with ugly guano. A local falconer is being employed to keep the scavengers away.

Devil's Quoits — Images

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<b>Devil's Quoits</b>Posted by Jane<b>Devil's Quoits</b>Posted by Jane

A new gravel path has been laid, fences erected and trees planted. There was even an information board and signs. It all looked great. This massive henge, the ritual centre of a landscape once dotted with barrows, burials, enclosures and settlements restored to (an interpretation of) its former glory.

A new old stone circle. Weird! We're so used to seeing old, weathered stones, incomplete circles, fallen stones, banks and ditches denuded and trashed, sites which you have to imagine and 'read'. No need to do that here. It's here on a plate. But for me it still has magic and power – this is how the ancients would have known it.

It was marvellous to see people milling around the henge – enjoying it, marvelling at it, wondering about it. Places like this are, after all, all about people.

Devil's Quoits — Images

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<b>Devil's Quoits</b>Posted by Jane


There seemed to be some confusion about whether the site was now officially open to public or not. Different people told us different things: yes it is, no it isn't, yes it will be soon. I guess the site owners are a bit wary of having visitors traipsing over their land and getting perilously close to what is in truth a dangerous landfill site. If in doubt, just ask at the waste disposal site office.
Jane Posted by Jane
14th September 2008ce
Edited 15th September 2008ce


Comments (10)

Perhaps this could be a renaissance Jane of restoring stones, not too much of course, but there's a few at Avebury ;) moss Posted by moss
14th September 2008ce
"Perhaps this could be a renaissance Jane of restoring stones, not too much of course, but there's a few at Avebury ;)"

Not forgetting those at Ingatestone - http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal :-)

Great report Jane, and just so good to see some in the academic and private sectors having the courage and determination to restore these ancient sites - often in the face of ignorant and selfish hostility.
Littlestone Posted by Littlestone
14th September 2008ce
This is such a positive story, really pleasing to see such a bold restoration project going ahead and being so well-realised. Jane, any idea what the position is now re accessibility? I've realised that we can get to Stanton Harcourt by bus (from Witney or Oxford), but not much point in going if we can't see the site! thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
14th January 2009ce
As it seems that Jane has yet to notice your question, I'll add a reply:

I attended the open day and asked of the manager of the site directly whether the Quoits are now open to the public and his reply was in the affirmative.

So, yes, you can now freely visit the restored Devil's Quoits circle and henge.

The entrance and car park for the site is at the south, by the household rubbish tip. However, I do believe that there is a footpath running from Stanton Harcourt village to the henge, if you can find it.
baza Posted by baza
15th January 2009ce
Hi baza,

Thanks for the reply, that's excellent news! Definitely added to list of upcoming trips to make.

Alken
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
16th January 2009ce
I'm here now!

Thanks for replying on my behalf, baza.

Take the number 18 bus to Stanton from Oxford or Witney and head out to the west of the village along Blackditch. Follow the road towards the dump 'Dix Pit waste disposal site'. Just after you pass a warehouse, you'll see a lake on your left. Walk around the bottom of the lake and swing round to the right on the far side. Follow the little path which eventually takes you to the stones. It's not far. You'll need stout shoes or wellies, it gets a bit boggy.
Jane Posted by Jane
16th January 2009ce
Hi Jane,

Excellent, cheers for that. Para boots always come as standard!

Alken
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
16th January 2009ce
Hi Sweetcheat

Have you been yet?

We went up there on Saturday & access is definitely fine. They've even made a vague attempt at signposts (once you're virtually on top of the henge!)

The bad news is that the rabbits are back & seriously damaging the earthworks....

love

Moth
Moth Posted by Moth
16th March 2009ce
Hi Jane/Moth,

Do you know if they allow old dogs (and their owners) in as I might be going up that way soon?

:o)

Scubi
scubi63 Posted by scubi63
16th March 2009ce
Hi Moth,

No, not yet. I've been exploring some of the long barrows and hillforts around the Cotswold edge, haven't made it that far east yet (I know, compared to where you and Jane have just been it's not really that far east!).

Hope to get out there in the next couple of months though, buses permitting!

Alken
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
16th March 2009ce
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