Stanton Drew is a great local gem in UK that I found on Pinmapple, it was first posted by 
Many visitors coming to UK will have heard of or even been to Stonehenge. It's probably the world's most famous prehistorical monument (says a Brit). To the layman, it's a bunch of standing stones that date back a few thousand years ago. Stanton Drew is similar, but not as well know as Stonehenge, hence not many people know about it, including myself and I live an hour away!!!
When I read
GETTING TO STANTON DREW
Stanton Drew is about 200km west of London, and about 25km away from Bath, a famous Roman spa town in England. It's located in a small village of the same name with narrow countryside roads which aren't suitable for large coaches. I doubt there are any packaged tours that come here, which makes it that more special as it won't be flooded with visitors, as you will see in a minute. You can catch a bus that goes to the village but they're not run very frequently, so it's probably easiest to drive here.
The very last part of the trip goes pass a narrow countryside lane just enough for one car to drive through. At the end of the lane, are a few parking spaces, and opposite that is the entrance to the Stone Circles.
The Stone Circle is located on private land and there's an honesty box with a recommended £1 entry fee by the gates. This is another beauty of the rural English countryside. If you read my last post about Lacock Village, you will know what I mean. I was of course more than happy to pay the modest fee, afterall, this is history. I'm not paying to see history, as history isn't owned by anyone. I'm contributing to maintain the upkeeping of history and everyone has a responsibility to do that.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
After I passed the main gates, I see the field ahead of me. The first word that came to mind is FREE as in liberty. I love the open green spaces against a backdrop of undulating English hills. If we sent Summer cards instead of Christmas cards to friends, Stanton Drew would make a great one.
The field has a stone wall boundary, I turned right, went through a little gate, walked along the wall and entered the field through one more gate.
THE STONES
Ok, I know this just looks like a bunch of random stones in a field, nothing special. And I won't blame you for thinking like that. Let's put history aside for one minute. Wouldn't you agree this is a gorgeous part of the English countryside, where you can get so close to nature, blue sky, green grass, cows and dung the whole lot! And, this is the most important part, there is no one else here. You'll probably say there's no one here because there's nothing to see, I'll say there's no one here because not enough people appreciate this part of English history.
Stanton Drew dates back to 4500 years ago and is England's third largest complex of standing stones. It is believed that these standing stones circular complex were erected for ceremonial purposes. You can't see it very well now, but archaeologists believe there were originally three circles here. The Great Circle which would have been around 113 meters big, is one of the largest in the country, and there are two smaller circles. The 26 random pieces of stones that remain now are what's left from these circles.
This diagram will give you a better idea as it can be quite difficult to visualize 4500 years ago. Geophysical surveys show the layout of the circles and that there would have been wooden beams insides the circle. Perhaps they were to support raised platforms or erected to perform ceremonial rituals. No one knows for sure.
Now you've seen the diagram, this is what it looks like in real life. The random stones scattered around is what's left behind by people who haven't taken history away over the years. The group of stones in the right-hand side are part of the smaller circle. They are more complete.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
As I said, Stanton Drew isn't as popular nor famous as Stonehenge or Avebury, the other two larges complexes of standing stones in England. In terms of historical value wise, it probably isn't of less significance, just that it isn't that visible. It's not easy to get to and you can't see a complete circle of standing stones. You have to use a bit of imagination for that. And that's what history is all about especially from 4500 years ago.
I had plenty of time to do that at Stanton Drew. There was no else around, just me and the cows who totally ignored me and continued to munch at the fresh green pature. At Stonehenge, you can't sit on the ancient rocks and have the whole of 4500 years of history to yourself can you?
英國巨石陣秘景Stanton Drew
有4500年歷史
是全英第三大巨石陣
主石陣超過113米
現在剩下26塊石頭
這裏沒Stonehenge著名和宏偉
但Stonehenge 能坐在千年石上
獨享整個巨石陣嗎?