|
|
 Log in |
Register
|
|
|
England
Duddo Five StonesStone Circle
|
Show map (inline Google Map)
|
|
|
News |
 Add news |
|
Wind Farm Plan Rejected Read about it here http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/news/planners-reject-wind-farms.3923173.jp |
Posted by fitzcoraldo28th March 2008ce |
|
Windfarms looming ... http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/journallive/thejournal/tm_headline=couple-say-no-to--6m&method=full&objectid=19061945&siteid=50081-name_page.html |
Posted by Creyr9th May 2007ce |
Duddo's monuments to be safeguardedFrom the 'this is Berwick' website A new partnership looks set to safeguard two of north Northumberland's ancient monuments... continues... |
Posted by Rhiannon13th January 2005ce Edited 14th January 2005ce |
Images (click to view fullsize) |
Add an image |
Photographs:
Maps / Plans / Diagrams:
Artistic / Interpretive:
|
Fieldnotes |
Add fieldnotes |
| Visited the stones on Sunday and I am convinced that this is a burial site. Nice views and a nice day. |
Posted by bobpc20th February 2008ce |
|
Duddo Five Stones have been described as "... undoubtedly the most complete and dramatically situated" [of Northumbrian stone circles] by Roger Miket in 'Duddo Stones', Archaeology in Northumberland, Vol. 15, 2005, Northumberland County Council. Much of the magic of this site is in its relationship to the Cheviots. Seen from the Grievestead-Grindon road to the north, or even more dramatically from Ewe Hill (highest point on the ridge to the north, near Shoreswood), the logic of its situation becomes evident. Unfortunately, wind turbine developers are proposing to severely damage this landscape. Up to twelve 125 metre (410 ft.) turbines are proposed for the Toft Hill site within 1km. to the west of the stones and another proposal for fourteen 110 metre (362 ft.) turbines are in the planning system for the so-called 'Moorsyde' site within 3km. to the north. Check out the 'Moorsyde Action Group' website to see what is being proposed. Dbnlys |
Posted by dbnlys 2nd January 2006ce |
|
The new improved access Rhiannon mentions above seems to be a great improvement. There is now a small sign on the road heading east out of the village, it's only about A4, and is almost obscured by a hedge, but it's there, and it shows the permitted route. The last bit is still through crops, following the tractor tyre gaps. Not exactly easy for wheeled contrivances such as buggies and wheelchairs, more's the pity. We did manage to get a big 3-wheeler buggy up there though. The area around the stones is now crop-free, so future plough damage is likely to be nil. On the down side, someone had deposited a can of beer in one of th grooves of the northernmost stone. Unusual form of 'offering', but compared to the usual dried wildflowers, at least it seems to have a bit more of an element of genuinely sacrificing something treasued by the offeree. |
Posted by Hob4th September 2005ce |
|
Though little, this is the most aesthetically pleasing of Northumerland's stone circles. The stones are reminiscent of single stones in the south of the county. It's position links the Lammermuir hills and the Cheviots most nicely. Weathered grooves second to none, with cups marks too. There have been allegations of a burial in the middle, but nothing conclusive has been found, bar some undated charcoal. Access up the track is easy enough, but the tromp over the field should ideally be done after the crops have been harvested, both for ease of access, and in respect for the farmer, who has had a poor harvest this year. |
Posted by Hob 15th November 2004ce |
|
The steg, pepper and I visited the 5 stones as part of our holiday in the big green steg van. We had camped at a village about 5 miles away on the Tweed and this was a real bonus as we only realised we were so close the night before. We set off early and enjoyed the walk up the track in clear light. pepper was chasing invisible hares through the corn and we saw a deer. The stones are visible a away off, fabulous. Spent a a little while before going in, noticed a few boulders between the main stones, wondered if they were added later or were part of the original set up. Found some charcoal and a bone in the middle. Pepper was not interested in the bone and was reluctant to come back in the circle, very uncharacteristic on both counts. Tremendous position up on a mound set in a near circle / saucer of hills, cheviots particularly sexy. Dunno what to make of Duddo but it was great. Do go. stegnest |
Posted by stegnest 4th August 2003ce Edited 4th August 2003ce |
|
I had an hour before it got dark, and I thought I know I'll go to Duddo! Parked south of the stones, from where you can't actually see them but I'd sneaked a peak from up the road. It's a quick brisk walk up but the field immediately around the stones had just been churned so the going was a bit rough; but the soil was a nice reddy brown. The other day I was in the local tourist info place and they had an interesting poster of Duddo with the fattest moon pasted above it. Didn't buy it. I kept the stones company for a bit, waiting for the sun to go down. And whadayaknow, the moon was just coming up. .o0O0o. |
Posted by pebblesfromheaven17th March 2003ce |
|
The horde who sacked Yeavering Bell, the tribal palace of the ancient Northumbrian Kings, must have descended from the Cheviots when they attacked. By the time I reached the crumbling fortifications, I couldn't have lifted a sword, much less swing one.That's how steep the climb from the valley floor had been. I stood and caught my breath, and as my pulse began to slow, I turned round and took in the beautiful view. Somewhere to the North East was Duddo stone circle, but I couldn't make it out. Standing on the peak of Yeavering Bell I had gained 240 metres of height since breakfast at Duddo. I was ready for my Lunch. The day had started at eight when I packed my bag, and waited for Tom, my mate. He drove and I read maps on the way to Duddo. At Duddo village, we left the car and walked out across the open country. The circle was visible from some distance, looking like rotten teeth pointing up to the sky. It was a typical January day, gray clouds spitting mean rain at the hills. We walked over a farmer's field, a strange feeling for me; I would have felt better on a footpath, yet I could see no other way to approach the stones. Once among the stones I felt better and sat to enjoy the moment. Tom, on the other hand, spent ten minutes walking around the circle, on the field itself, before he came inside. As I enjoyed the rest, Tom rummaged in his bag and produced a miniature of Grouse, that he'd brought for me. Perfect. We could see Yeavering Bell, and felt the call to leave, much too soon for Duddo. We agreed that we'd be back, and so we left. Back at the car, we ate a sandwich, and had some coffee, then we drove to Yeavering, a row of cottages under Yeavering Bell. Again we left the car, but this time the path was pitched more steeply, and soon I was breathing hard. The path was an old drovers road, straight up into the Cheviots, marked all the way with massive boulders. We crossed a stream bed and the path got steeper. From here we could see the old walls, and then we thought we'd seen people at the top, but as we got closer we saw that it was the wild goats of the Cheviot Hills, which neither of us had seen before. When the Northumbrians were defeated at Yeavering, they moved across the valley to Gefrin, 'the place of the goats'. Yeavering sounds like a variant of Gefrin, so I guess the wild goats were at home. They had disappeared into thin air by the time we arrived at the top, and we ate lunch together in the solitude, if you know what I mean. |
Posted by NorthumbrianDawn 29th December 2001ce |
|
After driving round the area for a while we eventually found the field in which this cute circle stands. The approach to the circle was fantastic, in that we saw the circle perched on top of the hill and slowly, slowly as we waded through the waist deep crops, the beauty of the circle was revealed. Once we arrived at the stones, the landscape in which it is set is breathtaking - especially the Cheviot Hills which undulate in the distance. The whole experience was amazing - awakening - uplifting!! |
Posted by Sarah - Meanwood 22nd November 2000ce |
Folklore |
Add folklore |
| The narrow waists of the stones, where they meet the soil, have are partly responsible for a pseudonym, 'The Women'. This, combined with the whistling of the wind through the fluted grooves, has caused this to be extended to 'The Singing Women'. |
Posted by Hob 15th November 2004ce |
|
There are at least two local theories about the Duddo Five Stones. One is that the stones were erected as a memorial to the Scots who fell at a battle at Grindon Marsh in 1558. The other - obviously wholly more believable - is that they are in fact the remains of five men who were cheeky enough to be digging their turnips on the Sabbath. Their leader was knocked over by the shock of being turned to stone: before the beginning of the last century you could see him lying there, but he's since been righted. (from Grinsell's prehistoric folklore book, drawing on a book from 1919) |
Posted by Rhiannon 10th September 2003ce |
Miscellaneous |
Add miscellaneous |
|
An obscure reference to an outer circle at Duddo. It isn't clear if the author is talking about an outer circle of stones, or a bank. Given the profusion of henges in the area, probably the latter. The barrow to the north is a new one to me too. Canon Raine in his massive volume 1852 on North Durham (very north indeed!) writes: On an eminence in the middle of a field a mile north west of Duddo stands a time and weather worn memorial of the Druidical period. The temple or whatever it may have been, has been of the usual circular shape, surrounding at intervals a plot of 36 feet in diameter. Four stones alone are standing, the tallest of which measures 6 feet9 inches in height, by 13 feet in girth: a fifth is extended upon the ground, In a broken state, the rest have been removed. The remains of an outer circle were a while ago discovered at the usual distance*. The situation of this hillock is of a peculiar nature; it rises as it were, in the middle of a large natural basin two miles in diameter and might have been seen at one and the same time by thousands upon thousands of assembled devotees. A small barrow at the foot of the hill on the north side, much levelled by the plough, has I believe never been opened. *My emphasis |
Posted by Hob 11th March 2005ce Edited 11th March 2005ce |
|
"Solstice: Duddo On such a night the hills dissolved and re-assembled in the shifting mist, Numb with moonloghts touch. We learnt that silence was not hostile. Took upon ourselves its deepest strength Waiting for dawn's layered sun. A moon that paced As crow's shout cracked the sky fled from the triggered bird-song Hestitant then loud. Before our eyes, a second birth, A new-created universe, Green and blue and gold. Fluted stones whose shapes had shifted with emitted heat From bearded barley heads, Buried to the hips, reclaim their circle and identity, Introspective, Janus-headed, Guarding and inviting As the suns diurnal course Played a slow game With shadow shapes Time and time and time again." Stan Beckensall Northumberland, The Power of Place. Pub Tempus publishing. 2001 |
Posted by fitzcoraldo 14th October 2002ce |
Top of page