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Unless otherwise stated, this image is the copyright of the submitter. Contact them for permission to reproduce it. |  | | Description | The Rempstone Stone Circle - A Forgotten Gem
Nestled in the enclosing bosom of the Purbeck Hills, in the beautiful county of Dorset on the south coast of England lies a once grand circle and remains of stone avenues, now almost forgotten. The circle and surrounds must once have formed a major site for south Dorset, though the first edition Ordnance Survey map in the 1890s did not show it, and even now, the Internet Megalith Map does not list it [that's cos our circles are based on Burl's 1976 data - Andy]. My parents also knew nothing of it until I mentioned it to them, and my mum is from Swanage (a couple miles away).The Rempstone stone circle (grid reference SY994821) is a fading part of Purbeck's heritage, and seemingly unknown or ignored among megaraks.
For me this circle is special, as it is the nearest megalithic monument to where I grew up, though I knew nothing of its existence until October 1999 when I noticed Cope's brief comments on it in "The Modern Antiquarian". I hastily checked it on my OS map, and then raved about visiting it at the earliest opportunity when next in Dorset. I have now visited it twice, on Friday 31st December 1999 and Tuesday 22nd February 2000
This is quite an impressive circle (though not in the vein of Castlerigg), but neglected, lost in undergrowth, eaten by ditches and swallowed by embankments. Given that I had near nil amount of description for this site, I had to do my own reconnoitre to see what could be seen. The lighting was poor as dusk was biting on the final day of the millennium, so the wood had a surreal feel to it. This was pierced a few times by the alarming sound of gunshot, which was probably coming from the Foxground Plantation across the road! Given that my dad, wife and daughter were waiting in the car, I could only spend about 20 minutes trying manically to soak in what I could of the wood and its megalithic denizens. The onset of a new millennium, and the imminent passing of the old also gave this visit a particularly piquant memory
On my first visit I managed to find 10 stones, a few still standing, several lop-sided, and some nearly completely sunken into the ground. Some would have been near 6 feet tall, others not even knee high. Of those still erect, a few are about 5 feet tall. To the east, maybe 80 feet from what remains of the circle, I found a pile of identical stones, (8 fairly large chunks) which perhaps suggests this circle had a large outlier which has fallen and crumbled. The stone nearest the road is speckled with holes and cracks, and had numerous coins left in them (which had been removed by my second visit).
On my second visit, I had my dad with me, who roamed the wood and helped me locate numerous other stones (some very substantial) which are clearly related to the circle; given that it was mid morning on a bright winter day with a heart-warming sun and a slight body cooling breeze, we took around an hour and a half to look around, during which time I made myself a plan of the area, noting as many details as I could. This was also a good visit, elavating my spirit and bringing to my senses the first tentative awakenings of spring.
On both occasions there were some rather large 'puddles' around (ponds would be more appropriate) so great care had to be taken with my footing. The foliage was also problematical; I visited in the depths of winter on both occasions, and had to duck many branches and push through bushes, so goodness knows what a visit at another time of year may be like. I will try to get back there on subsequent visits, and further acquaint myself with the circle in other seasons
There was one very unexpected development from my first visit. As always I took photos on this visit, which were not developed until many weeks later. On one of the photos, of the crumbled stone to the east of the circle, there are some light patterns on the top right of the photo; I am a man who likes proof, but who also wants to believe in the mystical world of fairies. Well the light phenomena in this photo strikingly resemble fairies dancing in a ring, in my opinion. Other folk have said it looks like five hooded figures. The case remains open!
From research I had done between the New Year and February, I knew that this circle had previously had many more stones associated with it. A stone avenue of 26 stones was discovered around half a mile to the west in 1957, but were removed by the farmer. It is not given where these stones are now, but it is believed that the circle had / has alignments for the autumn and spring equinoxes.
Getting There:
Taking the A351 Wareham to Corfe Castle road, turn left at the base of the ruined, but still imposing Corfe Castle, under a railway bridge, onto the B3351 Studland road. About 3 miles along, parking can found on the left, in a layby on a corner just up from the wood where the circle is located. Take care on this road; out of summer holiday season it is deceptively quiet - and cars travel much too fast on this road. If visiting on summer bank holidays / summer holidays, and the weather is good, beware of traffic jams as this is the sole, most direct road for Studland (one of the area's finest beaches), and a large nature reserve. As a child, I remember spending hours (or so it seemed) stuck in the car on this road!
The best point of access is towards the westernmost end of the wood. There does appear to be a barbed-wire fence in places, so I am not sure what the official line on access is at this end of the wood. If that should prove inaccessible, use the marked footpath for Nine Barrow Down, turning right immediately as you enter the wood.
Other points of possible interest nearby: (SE) Long Barrow 997985, (SEE) Giant's Grave 013811, Giant's Trencher 014811, (NEE) Fishing Barrow 020822, (NE) Puckstone 022832, Agglestone 024827. |
| Posted Comments: Wolfie
(2001-12-28) | Nicely done, Tim...good pics and a great description of the site. | rachael clyne
(2003-07-25) | This circle was my first real initiation onto the spiritual and magical impact of stone circles, my first sacred site. I was staying in Langton Matravers back in the late eighties and discovering my ancestral self. I explored maps and visited several forgotten Dorset sites. Rempstone had a huge impact on me, I felt the personality of each stone, I was inspired to create a song in their honour and a clay wise crone, careved on the cliff edge near Langton. I have visited them several times since then, the most recent being last weekend. I agree with you the woods give the whole thng an otherworldly feel and the fact that the stones are ruined/half buried ie unrestored actually serves to preserve their atmosphere. I once went on a full moon night, daring myself to a mystical experience. I was under the wire and approching the stones when I was startled by rustling and whispering and whistling among the darkened trees. I had clearly disturbed some full moon worshippers, and my imagination went haywire, I fled my knees turned to jelly and my heart pounding. I later laughed at my lack of warrior spirit. I have seen continual signs that others come to use the stones for worship, altars made of twigs, attempts to complete the circle with other stones placed there. I felt this interfered with rather than enhanced the energies. these are the words of the song inspired by the stones: (My clay crone wise woman figure can be viewed on www. Goddess pages.com:
Listen to the nine dancing maidens
Listen to the nine dancing maidens
(chorus)The Goddess is here everwhere, bless Her name!
The Goddess is here everywhere, bless Her name
Let Her silver moon shine upon you
Let Her silver moon shine upon you
the Goddess is here everywhere (etc)
Let Her power and strength dwell within you
Let Her pwoer and strength dwell within you
(chorus)
Let Her loving heart and arms enfold you
Let Her loving heart and arms enfold you
(chorus)
Listen to the nine (etc)
| TimPrevett
(2004-01-01) | Just explored the link in the commnet text above... the website shows as http://www.goddess-pages.com/Rachael/rachael_images.html - thanks Rachael. |
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