The UK boasts a plethora of stunning natural and man-made marvels, with the enigmatic stone circles scattered across the island being some of the most captivating.
While Stonehenge is undeniably the most renowned, there's another ancient stone circle that remains largely under the radar. Giving Stonehenge a run for its money is the Duddo Stone Circle, nestled near the charming village of Duddo in Northumberland. This splendid 4,000 year old Bronze Age stone circle is truly breathtaking, and it's easy to see why.
To reach the Duddo Stone Circle, one must embark on a brief walk across the scenic Duddo Farm, which then guides you to the spectacular site perched atop a hill. Although situated on private property, the landowner of Duddo Farm has graciously allowed free access to the historically significant stone circle via a designated path.
Encircled by the farm's crops, the stone circle is signposted from the village of Duddo itself and is a mere half an hour's walk or a four-minute drive from the idyllic hamlet, reports the Express. Referred to as Duddo Five Stones, the stone circle is positioned roughly 6 kilometres south of the Scottish border, in North Northumberland.
Until 1903, the stones were referred to as Duddo Four Stones, but a fifth stone was re-erected to enhance the site's skyline. It's thought that there were originally seven stones at this hidden gem of an attraction, a theory supported by the discovery of two empty stone sockets during a western side excavation in the 1890s.
The standing stones are composed of soft sandstone, which has been deeply fissured by Northumbrian weather over the millennia since their Early Bronze Age erection. Deep water-etched channels streak down the faces of these stones, and despite their massive physical size - with the tallest stone reaching a staggering height of 2.3 metres - the stone circle itself is relatively compact, spanning just 10 metres in diameter.
Numerous indentations in the stones have been identified as 'cup marks', with the large bowl-shaped hollows adding another layer of intrigue to the stones. Whether these cup marks are natural or man-made remains unclear, but they certainly make for a fascinating sight.
The Duddo Stone Circle sits elegantly on a slight saddle formed between the slopes of Mattilees Hill to the east and a minor rise in the landform to the west. The natural landscape gently descends to the south and north, but the most breathtaking views are undoubtedly those of the Scottish border from the north to the west.
The Duddo Five Stones can be accessed via the B6354 road, followed by a gate and a path through Duddo Farm. Intriguingly, the site of this stone circle was the focus of an archaeological dig in 2008, with one of the primary goals being to gain a better understanding of the monument's timeline.
This lesser-known stone circle, currently under the stewardship of English Heritage, also goes by other monikers such as 'The Singing Stones' and 'The Women'. It's worth noting for visitors that there isn't a dedicated car park near the stones.
Contact to : xlf550402@gmail.com
Copyright © boyuanhulian 2020 - 2023. All Right Reserved.