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The first druidical remain which I shall mention, is called the Rocking-Stone, and two different views thereof are exhibited at No. 1 and 2 of the etched plate attending these remarks.

It is situated so as to be a boundary mark between the two town-ships, Golcar and Slaighthwait in the parish of Huddresfield, on what is called Golcar-Hill, and gives the name of Hole-Stone Moor to the adjoining grounds.

The size of it is about ten feet and half long, nine feet four or five inches broad, and five feet three inches thick. It rests on so small a center, that at one particular point, a man may cause it to rock, though it has been damaged a little in this respect by some masons, who endeavoured to discover the principle on which so large a weight was made to move.

From ‘Druidical Remains in or near the Parish of Halifax in Yorkshire, discovered and explained by the Rev. John Watson, MAFSA and Rector of Stockport in Cheshire’, read at the Society of Antiquaries, Nov. 21, 1771. (Archaeologia v.2).

The grid reference is where the stone is marked on the 1880 map.

Details of stones on Pastscape

ST51794878 & 51794876. Two large standing stones, known as the Deer Leap Stones, were formerly situated in an old hedge bank, but this was grubbed out in 1967 the stones being left standing. (1)

Details of stone on Pastscape

[SY 57259149] MONOLITH [OE] (1) “Standing stone.” (2) A rough block 6 1/2 ft high. 9 ft long and 2 1/2 ft wide. A standing stone (3) “Monolith” (4). (3-4) STANDING STONE [OE] (5) Scheluled Ancient Monument. (6)
This sarsen stands in a ploughed field. It is 2.2m high, 2.7m long at the base, and 0.5m thick. From the base it tapers to the top, assuming a triangular outline. The stone leans slightly to the S. There are no soil marks or indications of any other stone in the vicinity. (7)

Details of nearby stones on Pastscape

(centred SY 57818776) Stones (NAT) (Three shown). (1) There is no apparent archaeological significance in these stones. The only surviving conglomerate is the most westerly one, a sarsen 1.2m long, 0.7m wide and 0.3m thick. It is just possible that the stone had some connection with the stone circle to the NW but this seems doubtful. (2) Like the stones of the circle, the remaining stone is prostrate. It is too far from the hedge to be the result of field clearing. (3)
Two stones of a similar kind to those comprising Kingston Russell Stone Circle (SY 58 NE 6) “from whence they seem to have been displaced”, lie by the side of an adjoining fence. (4)

Details of stones on Pastscape

Boulders [NAT] [Three Shewn] (1) [ST 51370488] Standing Stones: Three stones 70 yds. S.S.W of Beckhams Coppice. They are set upright as though to form the end of a chamber. They measure 5’ 9” high and 4’ 6” wide, 3’ 6” high and 5’ wide, and 4’ high and 2’ 6” wide. 8 yards to the W. are two prone stones 5’ long and another 50yds to the S.S.W. which measures 8’ by 4’. The intervening space appears to have been disturbed. (2)
1/2 mile NW. of the Hoar Stones is a destroyed chambered long barrow consisting of 4 stones, locally known as The Devil’s Arm Chair. [Probably applies.] (3)
Whereas the three stones are erected as if to form a chamber they are particularly weathered and are rather flat. Their heights are 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8m. The significant fact about the entire group is that they are situated on the floor
of a steep sided valley. The ground between the group of three and the prostrate one to the south west has been dug out. The other prostrate stones are covered by bushes. There is evidence of light quarrying on the valley sides. These stones may be contemporary with the quarrying. (4) Perambulation revealed no traces of the alleged long barrow in the area stated. If the remark is intended to refer to these stones, the point is made that the site is topographically unsuitable, the orientation (NNE-SSW) is unusual, and the stones do not have the appearance of great age in their present situation. There seems little to warrant this site as an antiquity of any form. The legendary name “Devil’s Arm Chair” was unknown to local people questioned. (5) These stones remain as described but they are not the remains of an archaeological feature or setting. (6)

A view from afar – 5.4.16

Whilst walking down the lane to visit the excellent Y Ffor burial chamber you can see Y Ffor Menhir a couple of fields over to the north. It looked large from a distance so I imagine it would be a big old chunk of rock close up!

Unfortunately I didn’t have time for a closer inspection.

Details of the remaining Three Boys stone on Pastscape

(SX 66038549) Three Boys (Cromlech) (NR) (Remains of). (1)
The stone marking the southern end of a stone row (’F’ SX 68 NE 16) is the only survivor of three such stones known as the Three Boys. It stands 4 1/2 feet high and leans over. The other two have been removed to form gateposts for a neighbouring enclosure. The suggestion that they formed the supporters of a dolmen is unlikely as the remaining stone would be quite unsuitable for this purpose. They were probably three unusually large stones used to mark the end of the stone row. (2)
(SX 66038549) Three Boys (NAT) Standing Stone (NR). (3) The remaining stone of Three Boys leans at 45o to the NNE; it is 1.7m long, 0.8m wide and 0.3m thick. Packing stones are visible at its base. A surrounding wet-hollow, diameter 3.7m, depth 0.4m,has been created by sheep. There is no trace of a mound. The situation, shape and size of the stone strongly suggests that it formed a terminal/blocking-stone to the double stone row (SX 68 NE/16 ‘F’) which originally extended from the Three Boys to Long Stone. Published 1:2500 survey revised. (4) As described by authority 4. Se Sx 68 NE 16 E-F. (see also RCHME survey `The Shovel Down Stone Rows’(part 1) at 1:200 scale). (5)

Details of stone on Pastscape

(SX 59587961) Beardown Man (NAT) Standing Stone (NR) (1)
Beardown Man, a standing stone, some 11 feet 4 inches high lying a little to the west of Devil’s Tor, Lydford. Dimensions
at ground level are north side 3 feet, south 2 feet 11 inches, west 1 feet 6 inches and east 11 1/2 inches. (2)
On the summit of the flattish top of Devil’s Tor at approximately 139.0m OD is the ‘Beardown Man’ (name confirmed). The stone, which leans slightly south east, is 3.4m high, 1.0m by 0.4m in section, and in good condition. Revised at 1:10 000 on PFD See ground photograph. (3)
SX 59587961. Beardown Man. An impressive standing stone, in good condition and as described by authority (2). However, the long term stability of the stone is threatened by a deep, irregular hollow around its base. The stone is located off the crest of a ridge in open moorland. (4)
Merrivale Range Baseline Condition Survey visit. The monument is currently in a stable condition though is used by animals as a rubbing post (5)

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

Throwleigh Circle (Throwleigh SX 6690). One of the finest but least known Dartmoor stone circles. Standing on low ground, it has a diameter of 80-90 ft. Only 6 stones remain standing, but 36 are more or less in place though fallen, the largest being 6ft 9 in tall. On the slope to the west is another circle, with a diameter of 60ft. Only four stones remain standing. (1)
No evidence, either visual or documentary, can be found to substantiate Pevsner’s assertion of a circle in or near Throwleigh. No known stone circle in the area accords with his description, and Worth does not record circles of this description, in this locality. (2)

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

(SX 64948847) Stone Circle (NR). (1)
Buttern Hill or Throwleigh stone circle is remarkable for occupying a position on low ground, near the bottom of a shallow valley west of Buttern Hill – a situation which argues against the “sacred” idea. Five stones are still standing, the tallest being 28 inches high with a curious though natural shape. There are nineteen fallen stones, the longest being 6 feet 9 inches; there are also ‘triggers’ giving a clear indication of the position formerly occupied by five stones now lost. The nearest equivalent true circle would have a diameter of 81 feet. R N Worth mentions the remains of a small cairn five or six
yards in from the southern edge. (2-3) Nothing visible on air photographs. (4)

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

(SX 55357463) Stone Circle (NR). (1)
A 60 ft diameter circle of ten stones about 1 ft 6 ins high.A trial trench cut from the centre southwards revealed no evidence of previous use. (2) In 1895 examination of some depressions near the stone circle, revealed pits with packing stones which had apparently been the sockets of standing stones. (3)
A stone circle with a diameter of 20.0m. measured from northeast to southwest and 18.0m from northwest to southeast. It is formed by eleven stones spaced between 2.7m and 6.7m. apart and from 0.3m. to 0.5m. high. Three of the stones are of post type and eight are upright slabs. An additional stone, 7.5m. from the northeast side and 0.3m high, is angled towards the circle and may be quite unassociated. The depressions excavated in 1895 can not be identified.
Circle surveyed at 1:10 000 on MSD and at 1:250. (See illustration plan and photograph). (4)
Several detailed 19th century accounts of the stone circle show the number of stones has actually increased, a most unusual phenomenon, from 9 in the early part of the century, 8 in 1828, 10 in 1827 and 9 in 1859, before reaching the present total of 11 in Worth’s 1895 plan. It seems at least 2 stones have been added, probably by some of the early investigators who were not always particular in recording their restorations. a small outlier 8m east of the circle might be considered natural but for the Exploration Committee’s excavation of several pits 0.3-0.5m deep ‘near the sacred circle’, one of which contained a flint flake. These were found to be socket holes for ‘large stones .. perhaps the size of the menhir’ according to Tower, who, as a member of the Committee, was presumably present during the dig. The outlier and two of the pits on their plan show them to be concentric with the circle, indicating a much more impressive structure at one period, another pair being nearer the standing stone. The interior is quite flat apart from a shallow trench from the centre to the southern edge, dug sometime before 1871 by Spence Bate. (5)
Centred at SX55367464. The eleven stones of this stone circle stands on a gentle slope in close-cropped grassland. The diameter of the circle ranges from 18.5m to 20.0m; there are five post stones and six slab stones up to 0.65m in height.
The level interior has a number of slight pits and shallow linear depressions: one is the infilled 19th century trench and others denote footpaths. The outlying stone to the east of the circle and the two 0.3m deep pits survive in situ; they may represent the remains of a second, concentric, stone circle. Other partially buried stones occur in the locality of this outer ring. Merrivale Stone Circle: dimensions of the individual stones

Grid Ref H W T Status
SX5536274643 0.35 0.55 0.2 Slab
SX5536774639 0.55 0.55 0.15 Slab
SX5536774634 0.55 0.4 0.2 Post
SX5536574629 0.6 0.65 0.15 Slab
SX5536374628 0.6 0.34 0.25 Post
SX5535774626 0.5 0.5 0.15 Slab
SX5535174629 0.3 0.2 0.2 Post
SX5534874634 0.55 0.55 0.15 Slab
SX5534874638 0.35 0.2 0.3 Post
SX5535274643 0.3 0.6 0.2 Slab
SX5535674644 0.3 0.25 0.35 Post
SX5537574638 0.3 0.5 0.15 Recumbent

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

(SX 63278961) Stone Circle (NR). (1)
A stone circle, 65 feet in diameter and originally consisting of 19 stones is on Whitemoorstone Down, about a mile south of Cosdon. One stone is now missing and four have been broken off. There is a distinct gap in the continuation; the stone on the east side of the gap and the largest stone in the circle are in due line north and south and point south to the White Moorstone (SX 68 NW 6) some quarter of a mile distant. (2-3)

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

(SX 56476549) Stone Circle (NR) (1)
An 80ft diameter stone circle known as Brisworthy Circle composed of 22 stones (Plan). Prior to restoration in 1909 eighteen of these stones had fallen over. A “not very thorough” excavation yielded a small amount of charcoal and one rough flint flake. All the stones are broad, rather than pillars and in this circle is unusual (4). (2-4)
This stone circle stands on a south east facing slope at 270m OD. It comprises a slightly ovoid setting of 24 upright stones which are probably only half the original number. The survivors are placed very regularly, the largest measuring 1.4m x 0.9m x 0.7m high, the smallest 0.3m x 0.6m x 0.2m high. The mean internal diameter of the circle is 24.0m Surveyed at 1:10 000 on PFD with amendments to pre-restoration survey. (5) The circle has been re-surveyed by Prof Thom. (See illus card 2) (6) This feature is generally as described by Authority 5 though now possesses 25 in situ stones. (7)

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

(SX 5565 7820) Stone Circle (NR) (1)
The Langstone circle, diameter about 56 feet, was discovered in 1894 and restored. It consists of 16 stones, two of which are of fine sandstone, the remainder of ordinary moor-stone. There appears to have been an outer circle of which 3 stones remain on the west side (2). Only two stones of the outer circle remain in position, the third being broken and the pit-hole visible. These stones are described as being a fine-grained stone, and only one of the inner stones of this material. Diameter given as 67 feet (4). Visible on air photographs. (2-5)
On the flattish top of Langstone Moor at approximately 452.0m OD is the remains of a restored stone circle. It is ovoid, 21.0m by 19.0m, with irregularly placed stones of which four are erect, six fallen and the remainder reduced to stumps. They average 1.0m high and 0.5m square. The interior is devoid of detail. One erect stone of similar dimensions remains of the outer circle on the south west side, 3.0m outside the circle. The number of irregularly positioned shallow pits in the vicinity makes further identification of the outer circle indefinite. Revised at 1:10 000 on PFD and at 1:250. See ground photograph. (6)
The circle is located on the southern side of the flattish summit of Langstone Moor ridge at an altitude of 455m above OD. The site is overlooked by Great Mistor to the South and Wittor to the North and has views of Roos Tor and Staple Tor further down the ridge and the Walkham valley at Merrivale. The view to the east is slightly restricted by the rise of Cock’s Hill.
Of the 16 stone of the restored circle only 11 now remain in-situ, though several of these are much shorter than they appear in Burnard’s 1894 photograph, including five which can only be described as stumps. The tallest stone today stands to only 1.1m high though Burnard recorded stones of between 5 and 6 feet (1.5 – 1.8m). Fragments of the broken stones lie scattered on the ground around the erect stones. There are also five stones that are completely toppled . Of the two stones said by authority 3 to be outside the main circle, only one remains on the west side and stands to 0.7m high. Some remedial work was recently carried out by the DNPA, during which erosion hollows around four of the stones were filled. Small hollows outside the circle may be ordnance impact craters.
As planned the stones form a far from perfect circle. Although it is possible that in its original form the monument was an imperfect circle, this seems unlikely and it is perhaps more credible that the stones were re-erected incorrectly.

The Stones

1. Standing intact, 1m high. Erosion hollow recently restored.
2. Stump 0.5m high on rebuilt concrete base. Top section lying on ground in 3 pieces.
3. Stump 0.45m high. Top section lies alongside. Original height c. 1.8m.
4. Stump 0.2m high. Three small fragments on ground beside.
5. Ground level stump. Top section on ground beside, 1.2m long.
6. Fallen slab 1.6m long plus fragments.
7. Stump 0.3m high plus shattered pieces.
8. Stump 0.4m high plus shattered pieces.
9. Standing intact, 1.1m high. Erosion hollow recently restored.
10. Fallen slab 1.5m long.
11. Edge-set slab, 0.7m high. Loose.
12. Fallen slab 1.25m long.
13. Fallen slab 1.35m long.
14. Standing, 0.9m high. Erosion hollow recently repaired.
15. Fallen slab 1.85m long plus shattered pieces.
16. Standing, 0.9m high. Splintered top section. Erosion hollow recently repaired.
17. Fallen 1.25m long.

Details of stone circle on Pastscape

(SX 65468738) Scorhill Circle (NAT) Stone Circle (NR). (1)
Scorhill Circle, a free standing stone circle, 88 feet in diameter, consisting of 23 standing stones and 7 fallen stones, probably early Bronze Age. The tallest stone is 8 feet 2 inches above ground and the smallest is 2 feet 8 inches and were close-set, 2-3 feet apart. (2)
Although previously named ‘Gidleigh Circle’ (a). it is now commonly called ‘Scorhill Circle’. The feature is in a generally good condition, and as described by Authority (2), but having an additional fallen stone in the NW quadrant.
Stone circle revised at 1:2500, and annotations to Hansford Worth’s plan. (3)