STONE BOTHERING

England is home to some fascinating ancient sites, including stone circles and dolmens (cromlechs). A dolmen is a type of single-chamber tomb, usually consisting of two or more vertical stones supporting a large horizontal capstone. Here we list five dolmens that are worth a visit when travelling in England. TRETHEVY QUOIT Trethevy Quoit is an impressive portal dolmen (cromlech) consisting of five standing stones capped by a large stone. There is also a rear stone which once collapsed and now lies inside the chamber. It's believed that the whole structure was originally covered by a mound. The monument is almost 2.7 meters high and dates to the early Neolithic period, around 3500-2500 BC. At the upper end of the capstone is a porthole which may have been used for astronomical observation. However, some people suggest that the hole was drilled there for decoration purposes. SPINSTER'S ROCK Spinster's Rock is a Neolithic dolmen situated in a farm field near Drewsteignton in D

Spinster's Rock is a Neolithic dolmen situated in a farm field near Drewsteignton in Devon, England. The dolmen consist of three granite stones supporting a capstone. The monument was erected around 3500 - 2500 BC, but fell down in 1862. It was re-erected in the same year. It's believed that Spinster's Rock was once part of a ceremonial site including stone circles and stone rows. Unfortunately, Spinster's Rock is the only remaining feature of this ceremonial site. © All rights reserved

Winterbourne Monkton is a small village in Wiltshire, located about 1 mile north of Avebury Stone Circle in England. Windmill Hill, which is a Neolithic causewayed enclosure from around 3800 BC is also located nearby. During strengthening work to the bridge near the village church, workmen came across some huge sarsen stones. They had once been put in the ground as part of the bridge foundation. A local historian was able to establish that sarsen stones from an ancient burial mound known as the Mill Barrow were used when the bridge was built. These sarsen stones were removed during the bridge repairs and later placed on a green strip at the side of the main road to form a small henge as a memorial to the Mill Barrow. There is a large recumbent sarsen stone in the ground of the village church, which is also believed to have been removed from the Mill Barrow. Walking around the village can reveal more ancient stones scattered in the area. Are these stones also linked to the Mill Barrow?

The Devil's Pulpit is a limestone rock jutting out from the cliffs near the village of Tintern in Wales. This rock outcrop is mostly known as a viewpoint for Tintern Abbey. The Devil's Pulpit is located along the Offa's Dyke Footpath, a 177 mile long walking trail running alongside the border between England and Wales. Legend has it that the Devil himself preached from this natural rock pulpit to tempt the monks of Tintern from their holy path. His efforts were clearly wasted. © All rights reserved

Craig Rhos-y-Felin is a bluestone outcrop on the north side of the Preseli Mountains. Evidence suggests that this site was used as a quarry during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, around 4000 to 5000 years ago. Craig Rhos-y-Felin is known for being one of the sites where some of the bluestones that form Stonehenge's inner horseshoe were quarried. But in fact, just one of these bluestones pillars were quarried here. The other site is known as Carn Goedog and it's where the majority of the bluestones were quarried. Bluestone outcrops are formed of natural vertical pillars. These pillars can easily be extract off the rock face by opening up the vertical joints between each pillar. It's believed that the Neolithic people needed only to insert wedges into the joints between the pillars and then lower each pillar to the foot of the outcrop. Craig Rhos-y-Felin is located near Crymych in Pembrokeshire, Wales. © All rights reserved

Carn Enoch is an ancient settlement on Dinas Mountain. It comprises rock outcrops and a possible ring cairn or hut circle. It's amusing walking around the rock outcrops and finding some interesting formations. A closer look reveals man-made cuts that appear to be very precise. But the most interesting sight is the rock with tally marks. The origin of these marks are a bit of a mystery. Nobody really knows what they mean. Some people suggested that they could be a lunar calendar. Others believe that the grooves were created by shaping and polishing stone axes in the Neolithic period. But there is also an interesting theory told to us by a local. Legend has it that when the ancient pilgrims walked past the stone on their way across the pilgrim path, they marked the stone to let other pilgrims know that they have passed that point. This was their way of communication. Carn Enoch is located near Fishguard in Wales. © All rights reserved

Folly Wood Gorge is a small gorge consisting of upper greensand which was formed during the Cretaceous Period (from about 145 to 66 million years ago). The gorge is very small compared to other gorges in England, but it has the power to impress the visitors thanks to it's beauty. Some of the trees located right above the gorge have their roots exposed, snaking on the surface of the rocks. This natural feature certainly adds to the dramatic scenery of the place. Look closer and you will notice a little cave in between the tangled roots. This cave is known as "The Holy Man's Cave". The origin of this name is unknown. Folly Wood Gorge is located near Devizes in the county of Wiltshire. © All rights reserved