STONE BOTHERING

High up on the edge of Wentwood in Wales, overlooking the sprawling Severn Estuary, lies a monument shrouded in time - the Gray Hill Stone Circle. Dating back to the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago, this circle of stones stands as a silent testament to the lives and beliefs of an ancient people. The circle itself is around 32 feet in diameter, with nine stones laid out on the circumference. Unlike some stone circles where the stones stand tall and proud, these stones rest on their sides, forming a low wall. One intriguing feature is a solitary standing stone positioned just outside the circle, accompanied by a larger "outlier" stone nearby. Archaeologists believe this outlying stone may have served as a marker or even part of an entrance to a chamber tomb once located within the circle. The purpose of Gray Hill Stone Circle, like many prehistoric monuments, remains an enigma. Theories range from serving as a ceremonial site for astronomical alignments to a place of burial

Standing tall in a field near the village of Trellech in Wales, Harold's Stones are a trio of imposing megaliths that whisper tales of a bygone era. Their origins shrouded in mystery, these stones have sparked curiosity and ignited imaginations for centuries. Giants or Chieftains? Debunking the Legends Local folklore spins tales of Harold's Stones marking the final resting place of Saxon chieftains who fell in battle. Some even claim they commemorate a victory by King Harold himself. However, the truth is far more ancient. Archaeological evidence suggests these stones were erected sometime in the Bronze Age, placing their creation around 4,000 to 2,500 BC. That predates King Harold by thousands of years! A Powerful Presence: Unveiling the Purpose The stones themselves are impressive. The tallest stands at a formidable 4 meters, while the others are close behind at a respectable 3.5 and 3 meters each. Arranged in a row, they seem to stand in silent conversation, gazing out acros

Oxfordshire is a landlocked county in the region of Southeast England. The county is mostly known for being home to the city of Oxford and its prestigious university. But the county is also home to extensive prehistoric landscapes and ancient sites. Here is a list of the top ancient sites in this amazing county. ROLLRIGHT STONES The Rollright Stones consist of a complex of three Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. The monuments are known as the King's Men, the Whispering Knights and the King Stone. The three monuments were built at different periods in late prehistory from local oolitic limestone and had distinct purposes. The Whispering Knights was the first of the monuments to be constructed in the area. The monument consist of the remains of a Neolithic portal dolmen used as a place of burial. Evidence suggests that the Whispering Knights is one of the earliest funerary monuments in Britain. It was constructed around 3,500 BC. The King's Men Stone Circle is a circle of about

Somerset is a rural county in South West England, offering a wide range of prehistoric landscapes in addition to impressive ancient sites. The county has a long history of settlement and is known to have been settled from Palaeolithic times. It's steeped in history and folklore, making it the perfect place to explore England's past. Here is a list of the top ancient sites in this amazing county. GLASTONBURY TOR Glastonbury Tor is certainly one of the most iconic ancient sites in England. It's a hill with a 14th century tower on its top which is all that remains of St. Michael's Church. Glastonbury Tor is a conical hill that rises 158m above the Avalon Marshes. Its peculiar shape is due to a combination of the unusual geology and the distinctive terraces surrounding the hill. The top of the hill is formed from a succession of rocks assigned to the Bridport Sand Formation. These rocks sit upon clay and limestones deposited during the early Jurassic Period. Read more about

Glastonbury Tor is certainly one of the most iconic ancient sites in England. It's a hill with a 14th century tower on its top which is all that remains of St. Michael's Church. Glastonbury Tor is a conical hill that rises 158m above the Avalon Marshes. Its peculiar shape is due to a combination of the unusual geology and the distinctive terraces surrounding the hill. The top of the hill is formed from a succession of rocks assigned to the Bridport Sand Formation. These rocks sit upon clay and limestones deposited during the early Jurassic Period. Geologists haven't found a plausible explanation on how the Tor has survived the erosion of the land around it, but it's believed that a nearby natural spring known as Chalice Well could have helped to prevent it. Chalice Well is an ancient spring nestled at the foot of the Glastonbury Tor. The spring flows from the ground and contains high levels of iron, which colours the water red . This water could have hardened an area of

The Toachi River Canyon is a canyon located near the Quilotoa Volcano in Ecuador. It was created by the pyroclastic flows from the volcano's eruptions. The Toachi River Canyon has an average depth of around 40 meters but its highest point is around 100 meters deep. The base of the canyon is formed by volcanic bombs and small stones called lapilli which are rock fragments ejected from the nearby volcano. The canyon gets its name from the Toachi River that runs inside the canyon. The river is famous for its unique rafting conditions. Toachi River Canyon is a spectacular place to visit. It starts at the Quilotoa Volcano and eventually fades into the Andean landscape. The canyon is located in the Cotopaxi Province at an altitude of 3,860 meters above sea level. © All rights reserved

Deep within the ancient emerald embrace of the Forest of Dean, nestled against the winding River Wye, lies the charming village of Staunton. But for those with a curious spirit and a taste for the mysterious, it's not just the picturesque cottages and idyllic landscapes that beckon. Staunton boasts a collection of fascinating stones, each whispering tales of forgotten times and intriguing the imagination. The Staunton Longstone is a sentinel of Old Red Conglomerate standing tall by the road. Erected in the Bronze Age, its purpose remains shrouded in mist. Was it a marker for travelers, a monument to the departed, or a focal point for rituals under the starlit sky? Local lore imbues it with a touch of the macabre, claiming it bleeds at the witching hour – a chilling legend guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. The Buckstone, a once-rocking behemoth, dislodged by revelers in 1885, now rests firmly cemented atop a hill. Climb its weathered surface and be rewarded with panoramic