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Brisworthy Stone CircleStone Circle
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The first time I came here it all felt a bit complicated to find, we even had to ask someone who was in their front garden for directions. But this time I threw caution to the wind, I drove all the way to the end of the road, by the farm, tucked the car as far out of the way as possible and walked off quietly down the footpath. I wasn't sure if we were going the right way, there's no Brisworthy stone circle signs pointing the way, I was just following my nose, ha good one Chris. The footpath leads out onto a rough pasture type field, in the far corner is a path, I doubt it is thee footpath though, either way, from there I could see some grey blobs shimmering in the midday midsummer sun, we made for them, and made them, they were some stones. Terrific. Eric slumped against the tall oddly shaped stone that has been likened to a leaping Dolphin, whilst I go round inspecting the stones. A little over a century ago only three stones still stood, thank god it was restored, by a Reverand no less, H H Breton, thanks Rev. Out of all the places we're going today this is the only one I've been to before, as it happens, exactly 11 years ago to the day, I brought my 8yr old daughter last time after an aborted sunrise attempt at Downtor, but this time the weather can only be described as perfect, everything today has been perfect. To add to that perfection, Eric has agreed to go where ever I go, unlike daughter who last time didn't want to go up the hill to the Ringmoor sites, I'll be back one day I said. Eleven fricking years though. We leave Brisworthy for now and tread wearily up the hill. |
Posted by postman1st July 2018ce Edited 1st July 2018ce |
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The first of the "proper" Dartmoor circles I've visited, Brisworthy is brilliant, even in the 45 degree rain. It's set on a sloping hillside, and the eye is immediately drawn to Legis Tor across the valley to the east. It reminds me of other circles that have intervisible rocky outcrops nearby – Boskednan/Carn Galva; Tregeseal/Carn Kenidjack; Nine Ladies/Robin Hood's Stride. All of these must have been built to sit as part of the bigger natural landscape, it's an unavoidable connection. The stones of the circle are nicely graded too, and around its outside (particularly on the east) I notice that there are quite a number of small quartz stones in the ground, almost as if there was an outer ring. Be interested to know what anyone else makes of that (if anything!). This post appears as part of the weblog entry It's a bovine, ovine, equine world - Dartmoor
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Posted by thesweetcheat14th September 2010ce Edited 14th September 2010ce |
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Brisworthy stone circle reminded me a lot of Fernworthy in size of stones, diameter and 'feel'. But whereas Fernworthy is held suffocated by trees, Brisworthy is free to breathe and today was bathed in warm sunshine. It seems to have a close relationship with a nearby tor. It's on private land and we had to climb over a fence to get to it. Liked it here! This post appears as part of the weblog entry The 'Must-Sees' we saw on Dartmoor
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Posted by Jane10th July 2005ce Edited 10th July 2005ce |
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Brisworthy Stone Circle - 25.6.2004 Directions - I basically agree with the travel instructions on the Megalithic Walks link below. However, the hamlet of Brisworthy is definitely not the organised little cluster as the OS map suggests. It's basically a couple of very rough working farms and a few houses, so parking is not clear or in abundance. And just to clarify that after walking up the lane there only seems to be one way out of that parcel of land, towards the stone circle. As the short lane ends keep towards the left hand wall of the field (signposted as the official path) and a stile leads you into the large field / moor land, circa SX562654 (i.e. there doesn't seem to be a way out of this land directly towards to the circle). People with disabilities may obviously struggle with this stile. There is a gate next to it, but it was padlocked. You'll then find the circle 300 metres, due east, near the field boundary. This is clearly the 'show' circle in this area. South West Dartmoor has several cairn circles, and stones in some sort of circle, but this is the only really showy stone circle. After several days of rain, I was blessed with sun tan weather which really made a rest at the stones a lovely prospect. Views towards Trowlesorthy (south east) and Legis Tor (east) are brilliant. With a keen eye the Stone Circle can be spotted from the Trowlesorthy area, partly hidden by some of the very few trees in the area. Technically this doesn't seem to be Access Land, but the chances of anyone stopping you seem remote, assuming you're following the basic rules of the countryside. |
Posted by pure joy4th July 2004ce Edited 4th July 2004ce |
| 25m diameter stone circle restored in 1909 at which time only four stones in the SW quadrant were standing. |
Posted by greywether16th December 2003ce |
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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) |
Posted by Chance12th April 2016ce |
| Just to clarify access to this site, the 2005 edition of the OS Explorer Map OL28 shows the circle to be on access land as is the whole of Ringmoor Down *except* the fields immediately south of the circle. |
Posted by Chris Collyer7th August 2008ce |
| Butler reports a cup-marked boulder set into the wall to the SW near the entrance to Brisworthy. 15 to 18 shallow cups. |
Posted by greywether 16th December 2003ce |
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Megalithic Walks siteFour colour photos and links to other Dartmoor circles. Here's a snip from site... Brisworthy is a very attractive site and a pleasant place to sit especially as there was a short burst of sunshine when we reached it making a break from a misty and overcast day. The circle is over 80ft (24.8m) diameter and made up of 27 stones from an original 42. They are grey granite, some with quartz veins running through them and large quartz crystals in them. There are several loose stones that have been added to the circle. |
Posted by phil 13th January 2002ce Edited 14th February 2006ce |
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