Duloe Stone Circle

The Duloe Stone Circle is a unique archaeological site located in South East Cornwall, distinguished by its white quartz monoliths and compact oval shape. The monument dates back to the Bronze Age, with historical sources detailing the discovery of a funerary urn containing human remains during restoration efforts in the nineteenth century.

Visit Date: April 2026

Duloe Stone Circle : (looking north)

The Duloe Stone Circle is a unique archaeological site located in South East Cornwall, distinguished by its white quartz monoliths and compact oval shape. The monument dates back to the Bronze Age, with historical sources detailing the discovery of a funerary urn containing human remains during restoration efforts in the nineteenth century.

The circle consists of eight large white quartz stones, making it unique among Cornish stone circles. Currently, seven stones remain standing, while one is recumbent (lying on its side). The stones vary in height, ranging from 1.0 metre to approximately 2.7 metres, with the tallest stone historically recorded at about 9 feet (2.7 m). The largest stones are estimated to weigh between 9 and 12 tons, and it is believed that it would have taken roughly 35 people to move and erect a single 9-ton stone. 

Duloe Stone Circle 

The stones are arranged in an alternating pattern of large and small stones. The four largest stones are positioned at the cardinal points (North, South, East, and West), with four smaller stones filling the gaps in between.

Duloe Stone Circle 

Recent geophysical surveys conducted in 2013 and 2016 revealed that the structure is more complex than what is visible on the surface. A strong U-shaped magnetic response in the centre of the circle suggests the existence of a central stone cist (burial chamber) measuring approximately 2.5 m by 3 m. This is the only stone circle in Cornwall currently known to contain evidence of a central cist. The surveys also identified a previously unknown circular ditch surrounding the monument, located about 4–5 metres beyond the stones, measuring roughly 18 m by 21 m. Additionally, several smaller circular anomalies, about 1 metre in diameter, surround the central feature; these may represent a sequence of prehistoric pits for ritual offerings or postholes from an earlier timber structure.

Duloe Stone Circle  

What sets the Duloe Stone Circle apart from other Cornish stone circles is its construction entirely of white quartz. While other circles, like Boscawen-un, may feature a single white quartz stone, Duloe's exclusive use of this material distinguishes it from its counterparts on Bodmin Moor, which were typically built over granite bedrock. The significance of the white quartz stones at Duloe lies in their unique composition, symbolic associations, and the immense social effort required for their construction.

Duloe Stone Circle 

The visual impact of the quartz was likely a primary reason for its selection. The stones appear almost white in bright sunlight and are said to shine brightly in the moonlight. Archaeologists suggest that quartz may have had prehistoric connections to fire, the moon, or the sea. The "mystical" nature of activities at the site such as potential metalworking in the late prehistoric period may have been enhanced by the reflection of fire against the white quartz.

Duloe Stone Circle

The choice of these specific stones indicates a highly organized and resourceful society. Because quartz stones of this size are not readily available in the immediate vicinity, they had to be specifically sourced and transported to the site.

Duloe Stone Circle : (Close Up)

The presence of the quartz stones is also linked to the site's function as a burial place. The discovery of a Bronze Age ribbon-handled urn containing cremated human remains found either under the largest stone or within a former hedge suggests that the circle served as a significant ceremonial or funerary monument.

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50.39808339605682, -4.4835981403210035

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///shred.stuffy.diplomas

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SX 23585 58309 Elevation 425FT

Visiting is easy with a near by car park (50.39585053176463, -4.484665805185307) for about 4 cars and then a short walk that is well signposted.

There are no facilities here but plenty in the small village just up the road.

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Dryslwyn Castle

Perched atop a commanding hill in the picturesque Tywi Valley, the remnants of Dryslwyn Castle stand as a testament to one of the most important native Welsh fortifications in South Wales.

Its rich history weaves a tale of raw ambition, fierce conflict, and eventual decline, transforming from a proud symbol of Welsh royalty to an English borough and ultimately into ruins.

Visit Date:August 2022

Dryslwyn Castle

The saga of Dryslwyn begins in the late 12th century, following the death of Rhys ap Gruffydd, known as The Lord Rhys, in 1197. His sons fought fiercely for control of the kingdom of Deheubarth, spurring a struggle that would shape the castle's destiny. While it’s believed that the castle may have been built atop a prehistoric fortification, conclusive archaeological evidence is still elusive.

Dryslwyn Castle

Rhys Gryg is credited with founding the stone castle for his son, Maredudd ap Rhys. This fortification is thought to have existed long before its first recorded mention in 1246, when it was named in the Annales Cambriae, detailing a siege led by the seneschal of Carmarthen.

Dryslwyn Castle : 

Under Maredudd ap Rhys's watch, the castle flourished, undergoing significant expansion including the addition of a middle ward. Upon Maredudd's death in 1271, his son, Rhys ap Maredudd, inherited this strategic stronghold. The landscape outside its walls began to take shape in 1281 when King Edward I granted Rhys the right to host an annual four-day fair, marking the early development of a “proto-Welsh town.”

Dryslwyn Castle : showing the windows of the chapel

However, the turmoil of the War of Welsh Independence cast a shadow over Dryslwyn. In 1283, although Rhys ap Maredudd remained loyal to the English Crown, tensions flared when King Edward I denied him the ancestral seat at Dinefwr Castle. Frustrated by ongoing border disputes, 

Dryslwyn Castle : Inner Ward

Rhys rose in rebellion in June 1287, seizing several local castles and drawing the ire of the English, who mobilized a tremendous force of around 11,000 men to respond.

Dryslwyn Castle : Inner Ward

The ensuing siege of Dryslwyn became a harrowing chapter in its history. For weeks, the English laid siege to the castle, deploying trebuchets and utilizing mining techniques. During one such inspection of their tunneling efforts, the ground crumbled, tragically killing several English nobles. Despite the chaos, the castle fell on September 5, although Rhys managed a daring escape.

Dryslwyn Castle : Detail

Rhys ap Maredudd’s luck ultimately ran out in 1292, when he was captured and executed for treason in York, marking the end of his valiant resistance. In the wake of his defeat, the English Crown transformed the surrounding town into a formal borough, carving out 37 burgage plots aimed at attracting English settlers. 

A section of chimney resting on  a concrete platform

By 1304, the town had burgeoned into a bustling community of 50-55 houses, home to approximately 250-275 people. Yet, this prosperity proved short-lived, with the deadly grip of the plague sweeping through in 1361 and 1369, leaving the town in decline.

Dryslwyn Castle : Detail

The castle saw further action during the Welsh uprising, when Owain Glyndŵr seized it in 1403, but it was soon retaken by English forces. 

Dryslwyn Castle : View over Tywi Valley

Determined to prevent it from becoming a stronghold again, they decommissioned the castle, bricking up the main gatehouse, stripping away its stairs, and ultimately setting it ablaze.

Dryslwyn Castle : View over Tywi Valley

Fast forward to the recent past— in 1966, Dryslwyn Castle earned its designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a nod to its historical importance. Between 1980 and 1985, a significant archaeological excavation uncovered much of the castle’s layout and unearthed fascinating artifacts from the 1287 siege, including stone trebuchet balls and remnants of chain mail. Today, Dryslwyn Castle stands as a hauntingly beautiful relic of its storied past, inviting all who visit to imagine the epic battles and princely ambitions that once echoed through its stone walls.

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51.862349636532706, -4.10138490818748

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///perfected.cult.founding

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SN 55384 20291 Elevation 68m

Visiting is easy with a dedicated car park (51.862757874378424, -4.103788903426793) and then well sign posted walk across the road to the site.

The site is on a hill, so there is a climb to the castle.

There are no facilities here.

NOTE : Occasionally (as noted on the gate) there will be times when dogs are not allowed to ensure the safety of grazing sheep in the castle grounds.

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Bryn Celli Ddu : The Solar Tomb of Anglesey

Bryn Celli Ddu, which translates from Welsh as the "mound in the dark grove," is a prehistoric monument located on the island of Anglesey. It has a history that spans over 5,000 years and is internationally renowned for its solar alignment, where the rising sun on the Summer Solstice shines directly down its passage to illuminate the inner burial chamber.

Visit Date: May 2023

Bryn Celli Ddu

The monument was constructed in two distinct stages during the late Neolithic period. Around 3,000 BC, it began as a henge, a ritual enclosure consisting of a bank and an inner ditch that measures roughly 21 meters in diameter. This enclosure protected a central area that contained a circle of upright stones. Archaeological evidence from this phase includes a central pit where a small human ear bone was found covered by a flat stone, along with evidence of ritual fires.

Bryn Celli Ddu

During the later stages of the Neolithic period, the henge underwent a significant transformation, evolving into a passage tomb—a type of burial monument that is characteristic of the European Atlantic tradition. The original stone circle was largely dismantled to make way for a meticulously constructed stone-lined passage that extends approximately seven meters in length. This passage leads to a spacious, polygonal central chamber, seamlessly integrated into the earth beneath. Over this intricate structure, the builders heaped a substantial earth mound, which today boasts an impressive diameter of roughly 26 meters, inviting both awe and curiosity from those who encounter it.

Bryn Celli Ddu : Pattern Stone

Externally, archaeologists discovered The Pattern Stone, a stone decorated with spirals and zig-zag carvings, in a pit behind the chamber. Interestingly, the Neolithic builders chose to conceal these carvings from view, suggesting that the act of carving was deemed more significant than the display itself. The original stone is now housed at the National Museum of Wales, with a replica available on-site.

Bryn Celli Ddu : Pillar Stone

Inside the chamber, researchers uncovered several significant items: - The Pillar Stone: A 1.7 meter high smoothed stone pillar stands in the chamber and is often interpreted as a "protectress" or tomb guardian. - Ritual Deposits: Excavations revealed human bones (both burnt and unburnt), flint arrowheads, quartz, and sea shells within the passage.

Bryn Celli Ddu : Inner Tunnel

The most famous aspect of Bryn Celli Ddu’s history is its precise astronomical alignment. Although astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer first proposed the theory of a solstice alignment in 1907, it was not officially proven until investigations by the National Museum of Wales in 2005. On the longest day of the year (June 20–22), the sun reaches its highest elevation and casts a beam of light that perfectly penetrates the tomb’s entrance, illuminating the interior.

Bryn Celli Ddu

Recent archaeological investigations have revealed that Bryn Celli Ddu is not an isolated monument but is situated at the center of a vast and complex prehistoric ritual landscape. Surveys have identified a previously unknown Bronze Age cairn cemetery surrounding the original mound, as well as at least ten new panels of prehistoric rock art.

Bryn Celli Ddu

Today, the monument remains a focal point for modern-day Druids and visitors who gather annually to witness the midsummer sunrise.

Bryn Celli Ddu

Another significant related site is Barclodiad y Gawres, a passage tomb on western Anglesey that shares a similar arrangement and rock art carvings, which will be discussed in a future study.

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53.208174540950424, -4.2360328420463


What Three Words reference: -
///vegetable.vibe.rates


OS Details: -
SH 50757 70181
Elevation 33m
Additional information.
Visiting is easy with a dedicated car park (53.204833098621464, -4.2400776132045) and then a 500m well sign posted walk to the site.

There are no facilities here.

Cross the Britannia Bridge on to the island then turn left on the A55 and then left again on to the A4080 from there a right turn marked with a brown tourist sign for the site.

 

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Creake Abbey

Creake Abbey is located in a peaceful rural area surrounded by beautiful water meadows, just south of Burnham Market, along the River Burn. The site features the impressive flint-walled ruins of an Augustinian abbey church, which narrate a history of structural decline and monastic reduction.

Visit Date: September 2025

Creake Abbey : View from Nave

The remaining structures primarily include the presbytery, crossing, and north transept of the abbey church, along with parts of the north and south chapels. While several arches still stand nearly to their full height, the nave survives only as low walls and foundations. In the post-medieval period, the south wall of the nave was refaced to serve as a garden wall for a neighboring private house.

Creake Abbey North transept to left.

The history of the abbey began in 1206, when Sir Robert de Nerford and his wife, Lady Alice, founded a small chapel called St. Mary of the Meadows at Lingerescroft, located near the River Burn.

Creake Abbey : Choir with chapel beyond.

In 1217, following a naval victory in the Straits of Dover on St. Bartholomew’s Day, the couple established the Hospital of St. Bartholomew at the site. Shortly thereafter, the establishment adopted the Augustinian rule and was reestablished as a priory.

Creake Abbey : North Transept

In 1225, King Henry III elevated the priory to a fully-fledged abbey, granting it the right to elect its own abbot.

Creake Abbey : Border wall between Nave and Cloister (Now a private Garden)

During the mid-to-late 13th century, the abbey church was constructed, beginning with the presbytery and followed by the addition of the chapels, transepts, crossing, and nave.

In the early 14th century, the north transept chapels were rebuilt on a larger scale.

Creake Abbey : Detail

In 1327, the abbey was granted a licence to crenellate. Records indicate that the associated hospital remained in use in some capacity until 1397.

Creake Abbey : Detail

The abbey’s prosperity ended abruptly in 1484 when a devastating fire destroyed the church and many outbuildings. Following this disaster, King Richard III donated £46 toward rebuilding costs, and Abbot Robert Walsingham initiated the reconstruction project in 1491. Although Sir William Calthorpe left an additional bequest of £75 in 1495, these funds were insufficient to restore the abbey to its former glory. Consequently, the church was drastically reduced in size, with the nave and transepts either demolished or blocked off to create a more modest chapel.

Creake Abbey : Detail

In the early 16th century, a plague decimated the remaining canons, leaving only the abbot, Giles Shevington, who died alone on December 12, 1506. Upon his death, the abbey ceased to function and reverted to the Crown.

Creake Abbey : Detail

In 1507, the King's mother, Margaret de Beaufort, intervened to grant the abbey and its lands to her new foundation, Christ's College, Cambridge.

Creake Abbey : Detail

In the following centuries, the old church buildings were repurposed as farm structures, and the south wall of the nave was refaced to serve as a garden wall for an adjacent house.

Creake Abbey : Detail

The brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck recorded the state of the ruins in an engraving in 1726. Much later, in 1874, restoration work was undertaken by R.M. Phipson to preserve the remaining structures. Today, the ruins are maintained as a free-entry site by English Heritage.

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Visit Information: -

Google Reference: -

52.92075566432334, 0.7595957963651738

What Three Words reference: -

///sofa.apple.witty

OS Details: -

TF 85591 39488 elevation 40 Ft.

Additional information.

Visiting is easy. Take the B1355 south from the village of Burnham Market.

The site is well signposted.

There is a small car park for 2 cars next to the site.

Alternativly you can stop at Creake Abbey Courtyard Shops & Services and walk the short distance.Creake Abbey Courtyard Shops & Services is a very charming little area with artisan shops and a really friendly welcoming cafe. There is also a farmers market on the site on some occasions.

Toilets are also available here.

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