Valley of Stones

Valley in Dorset

England

Valley of Stones

Bridehead Lake, Little Bredy Credit: Gary Rogers

Valley of Stones, located in Dorset, England, is a unique and captivating natural phenomenon that attracts visitors from all over the world. This ancient valley, also known as Horestone Valley or The Devil's Stone, is situated near the village of Worth Matravers.

The Valley of Stones is characterized by its large and imposing sarsen stones, which are scattered across the landscape, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. These stones, measuring up to six meters in height, are believed to have been brought to the area by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Over time, erosion and weathering have shaped these rocks into fascinating and sometimes eerie formations.

The valley offers a stunning and picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery. Walking through the valley feels like stepping into a prehistoric world, with the towering stones providing a sense of mystery and wonder. Visitors can explore the area on foot, following the well-marked footpaths and taking in the breathtaking views along the way.

The Valley of Stones is also of archaeological significance, with evidence of human activity from the Neolithic period. Excavations have uncovered tools and artifacts, indicating that the valley was used as a gathering and hunting site thousands of years ago.

The area is a popular destination for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking a peaceful and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its rich history, striking landscape, and serene atmosphere, the Valley of Stones in Dorset is truly a remarkable place to visit.

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Valley of Stones Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.68682/-2.5697867 or Grid Reference SY5987. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridehead Lake, Little Bredy

Gary Rogers

St. Michael and All Angels

Little Bredy

Gary Rogers

Hardy Monument in 1983

Not quite a lighthouse for a sailor on Black Down

Kevin Waterhouse

Portesham, Front Street

Portesham (aka Portisham) is a village in the county of Dorset, approximately 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Weymouth, 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the county town Dorchester, and 2 miles (3 km) northeast of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site at Chesil Beach. Link

Village website (Living Portesham).

David Dixon

Bramdon Close, Portesham

Village website (Living Portesham).

David Dixon

The Hardy Monument in the mist, Black Down, Dorset

The monument commemorates Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (1769-1839), best known as Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), at which Nelson was mortally wounded. Black Down is an area of heathland and a viewpoint. The stones bear the irritating instruction BE STILL / CLOSE / YOUR EYES / BREATHE / LISTEN.

Robin Stott

View towards Lyme Bay from Black Down

Somewhere in the mist in this direction is Abbotsbury with Chesil Beach beyond. The Isle of Portland is out of view to the left. The Hardy Monument is some way behind the camera: SY6187 : The Hardy Monument in the mist, Black Down, Dorset.

Robin Stott

Robust picnic table, Black Down

This is at the small car park off the lane to the west of the Hardy Monument.

Robin Stott

On the road leading up Black Down from Martinstown

Colin Park

Hardy Monument, Black Down, Dorset

Colin Park

Grey Mare and her Colts

Neolithic burial chamber, looking (if memory serves) to the northwest.

Alan Simkins

Portesham down and strip lynchets with the Isle of Portland in the distance

Looking southeast from the Bishop's Road, the strip lynchets on the chalk hillside are clearly visible in this low winter sunshine. The Isle of Portland is lost in the glare in the distance.

Jim Champion

Fallow field south of New Close Coppice

This large field south of New Close Coppice (visible in the background) has been left fallow. Amongst the thistles and yellow flowers (?) there is the odd trace of previous crops e.g. barley, rape.

Jim Champion

Coombe between The Grey Mare and Her Colts and Kingston Russell stone circle

A footpath runs down this coombe to Gorwell Farm. The peaks of west Dorset can be seen in the hazy distance.

Jim Champion

Grey Mare and her Colts

Paul Snelling

Sheep on Hampton Down

The sheep in the foreground was part of a flock grazing on a field on Hampton Down above Portesham. In the far distance is the Fleet and Abbotsbury Swannery, with the long bank of Chesil Beach lurking in the haze.

Jim Champion

Hampton Down stone circle

This rather overgrown neolithic stone circle lies alongside the inland coast path on Hampton Down above Portesham. A sign on the stile next to the circle reads: "THIS STONE CIRCLE IS AN ANCIENT MONUMENT SCHEDULED BY THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS. IT WAS EXCAVATED IN 1965 AND THE STONES RE-INSTATED IN THEIR ORIGINAL SOCKETS. THE ORIGINAL CIRCLE WAS PROBABLY CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN 1800 AND 1200 B.C. STRUCTURES OF THIS TYPE ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE HAD A RITUAL SIGNIFICANCE." A few years ago the site was cleared of brambles, but nature has reclaimed it once again.

Jim Champion

Inland coastal footpath on Hampton Down

The oxymoronic "inland coastal footpath" runs along the northern edge of this field on the hill to the northwest of Portesham. These walkers are headed in the direction of the Hampton stone circle (easily missed) and Hampton Barn.

Jim Champion

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Valley of Stones is located at Grid Ref: SY5987 (Lat: 50.68682, Lng: -2.5697867)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset