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<< Our Photo Pages >> Rempstone - Stone Circle in England in Dorset

Submitted by TimPrevett on Tuesday, 24 March 2020  Page Views: 37313

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Rempstone
Country: England County: Dorset Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Corfe Castle  Nearest Village: Studland
Map Ref: SY99468208  Landranger Map Number: 195
Latitude: 50.638412N  Longitude: 2.008998W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
3 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

LouRock AsgardW0lf hoya105 ArchieRob would like to visit

TheCaptain visited on 15th Oct 2021 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 4 A quick look during a weekend in Purbeck. I found about 8 or 9 stones in the woods at the side of the road, probably in a circular shape, mostly well overgrown with brambles and ferns, with no way of telling what was really there, and could not see more than two stones at a time! Many of the stones had coins placed on them. A bit further along was a sort of stone setting, perhaps once part of an avenue, of which there was no way of telling whether ancient or some sort of stone clearance.

Geojazz visited on 17th May 2021 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

TheCaptain visited on 1st Sep 2002 Visit after a cycling weekend in Purbeck. I remember it being difficult to get into the wood to look at the stones, but once in there seeing a lot of stones seemingly littered around, with a few standing making a part of a small circle near to the road. Once known where it was, seeing one or two stones from the road as passing was possible, with one nice large stone stood at the edge of the woodland. Some of the stones had coins inserted into crevices.

TimPrevett have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3 Ambience: 3.5 Access: 4

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Postman : The tree stump bottom left has some..... erm equinox gifting, shiny stones some with fossils. (Vote or comment on this photo)
A forgotten gem of a site, nestled in the enclosing bosom of the Purbeck Hills, Dorset. A once grand circle and remains of stone avenues, now almost forgotten. Really atmospheric despite it's near destruction and roadside proximity.

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.

Additional text by Postman

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Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by TimPrevett : A map put together to help find the location of stones my father and myself found. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Rempstone Stone Circle
Rempstone Stone Circle submitted by TimPrevett : 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 e... (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by TimPrevett : Spot the simulacrum here - accentuated by someone else having placed a shell in his eye socket... check BecZog's picture too - it can still be noticed there. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Postman : A really atmospheric place is Rempstone, despite it's near destruction and roadside proximity, only the undergrowth got on me nerves. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Postman : Four stones and much brambles

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Postman : A nice bit of Rempstone there.

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by enkidu41 : SY 994821 Only 9 stones in the northern half of this 85' diameter circle remain. It nestles wholly within Foxground Plantation wood.

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by enkidu41 : SY 994821 Only 9 stones in the northern half of this 85' diameter circle remain. It nestles wholly within Foxground Plantation wood. This shot is of the stone nearest to and visible from the B3351 alongside. (2 comments)

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by bec-zog : Rempstone stone circle. Dorset SY993,823 Located adjacent to B3351 road between Corfe Castle & Studland

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by bec-zog : Rempstone stone circle. Dorset Located adjacent to road between Corfe Castle & Swanage

Rempstone Stone Circle
Rempstone Stone Circle submitted by TimPrevett : Rempstone Stone Circle: Broken pieces of huge stones that litter that wood.

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle, The fantastic purple and orange stone on the Northern (road) side of the circle

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle, A couple of fallen circle stones on the Eastern side of the circle

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle, A couple of circle stones

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle, A couple of circle stones, It's hard to get more than one stone in a shot

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle, It's an orange and purple stone, Beautiful in the sunlight

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone Stone Circle

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone, A collection of probable old circle stones to the East of the stone circle, Ironically they've been dumped in a crude semi-circle

Rempstone
Rempstone submitted by Bladup : Rempstone, When approaching the circle from the East this is the First large stone you come to, The circle is further into the woods

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 482m S 175° Nine Barrow Down* Barrow Cemetery (SY995816)
 2.3km E 90° The Fishing Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SZ01818210)
 2.8km ENE 69° Puckstone* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SZ021831)
 2.9km ESE 106° The Ulwell Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SZ02228131)
 3.0km ENE 76° Agglestone* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SZ0236182826)
 3.1km W 275° Corfe Castle East Hill barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY96388237)
 3.5km W 274° Corfe Castle & St. Edward the Martyr's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SY9595082317)
 3.6km WSW 251° Corfe Common* Barrow Cemetery (SY961809)
 4.0km W 274° Corfe Castle West Hill barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY95478237)
 4.2km SW 218° Afflington Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SY96867880)
 4.5km NE 44° Studland* Stone Row / Alignment (SZ026853)
 4.6km E 100° Ballard Down* Round Barrow(s) (SZ03988130)
 4.9km W 273° Knowle Hill Barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY94578233)
 5.1km W 273° Knowle Hill Cross Dyke* Misc. Earthwork (SY94398237)
 5.1km E 91° The King Barrow (Isle of Purbeck)* Round Barrow(s) (SZ04618201)
 6.0km WNW 293° Three Barrows (Furzebrook)* Barrow Cemetery (SY939844)
 7.0km WSW 239° Swyre Head* Round Barrow(s) (SY93417845)
 7.4km WSW 258° The Harp Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SY92168058)
 7.7km NNW 336° Conygar Hill Timber Circle Timber Circle (SY964891)
 8.0km WNW 288° Creech Bottom Standing Stones (SY918846)
 8.5km WNW 288° Three Lord's Round Barrow(s) (SY914847)
 8.6km NW 306° Lady St Mary (Wareham)* Ancient Cross (SY92498719)
 8.9km W 281° Grange Heath Bell Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SY90658374)
 9.2km NW 308° Wareham Walls* Misc. Earthwork (SY92218771)
 10.7km WNW 300° Wareham Barrows Barrow Cemetery (SY90128737)
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"Rempstone" | Login/Create an Account | 16 News and Comments
  
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Re: Rempstone by Anonymous on Tuesday, 26 September 2023
I'm going to take credit for this site's mention in Cope's book.

I'm a local and had been visiting the site regularly since the mid 80's and had introduced most of my likeminded friends to it - several of whom were huge Cope fans - me included.

One of whom was a former lighting technician at the Mowlem - who then moved to Bristol to study at the Old Vic.
While he was there he met someone who lived next door to Cope in Avebury, and through that connection my friend had managed to persuade him to come to Bristol to play a gig - after the show, he met him and the conversation moved to Cope's new book, prompting him to mention the Rempstone Circle
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone by tombraider on Thursday, 07 September 2023
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It's now in a very poor- almost destroyed-state. I first visited it in 1956
when it lay fully visible in an open glade, quite impressive. Must try and scan my b&w negative to show you.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone Circle, Stuland Dorset. by jvthorsley on Sunday, 21 September 2014
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Visited this site yesterday 20th September 2014 and could only see one small group of stones close to the road, and a couple of stones on the southern boundary. There seems to be a lot of fallen trees, but no sign of recent tree cutting. Whereas on my previous visit in the late 70's the site was quite overgrown but not too much to see a definite circle of stones. I don't remember seeing so many deep trenches on my first visit, but they could have been hidden by the undergrowth .
So would be interested to hear from others if they think a number of the stones have been taken or buried on purpose.
Perhaps the land owner should be made to restore the damage or the National Trust take it over and stop local famers damaging it any more.
Surly this site is part of our heritage and should be protected and made more available for people to see rather than just left to fall apart.
As is it part of a line of stones coming from it in a adjoining field discovered in the 50's has been ploughed over and erased. If a site like this is left in private ownership then this ancient Stone Circle could just disappear.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone by rogerkread on Tuesday, 09 July 2013
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Visited in June 2013, having walked from Corfe along the down, past the 'Nine Barrows' (good walk). Absolutely no problem entering the woodland from the bridleway descending the down, or indeed from the road. Roadside parking possible either side of the wood. A circle with much more ambience than I expected, well worth the trip however you access it. No signs of recent 'woodland management' or whatever, no unpleasant off-putting signs.
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Rempstone Street View by Andy B on Monday, 12 April 2010
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View Larger Map
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Re: Rempstone by coldrum on Wednesday, 07 October 2009
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Pastscape:

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=456759:

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hfox by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 October 2008
I am currently doing a personal study on Rempstone circle, having been there a couple of times and been thoroughly intrigued. Apart from contacts I have in the field, I cannot find much online regarding the site. Has anyone found any good links or books published mentioning the site?
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    Re: hfox by Yo on Sunday, 09 August 2009
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    Hello hfox,
    If you are still doing a study, scroll up and see the details of the booklet. I paid two shillings for it. It was reprinted from the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, Vol. 81 in 1959. Inside is a very comprehensive description of the circle, interviews with the farmer and photos. Maps show positions of stones dug out by the farmer, stones found later etc.
    Hope this helps.
    Yo
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone by thartley on Monday, 01 September 2008
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I visited this fantastic ring a couple of times last week and took some photos. I was intrigued by the description and it is as atmospheric as the main description says. The stones are a reddish hard stone, only a few metres from the road under coniferous woodland and the majority are standing. The missing side of the circle seems to be boggy ground (it was still mire even in August) so at first I wondered if the stones had simply sunk in the soft ground.

However the stones that are described as forming the avenue look more random than I'd have expected (possibly naievly). I wondered if these eight were actually the missing stones from the other half of the circle, 'rescued' from the mire and then just left. Just an idea. I'll post the photo of them if it turns out ok so you can see for yourself

Another thought I had when checking the map later was whether the site aligns with the two clefts in the chalk downs, one south west (roughly south of Rempstone Hall) and the other east-southeast (where Ulwell Road crosses from the B335 down to Swannage). Could these possibly be solstice alignments? The tree cover means I couldn't tell from the site itself sadly.

All in all a fantastic stone circle. We added a couple of coins to the already fairly well adorned circular dips in one of the stones as homage/offering
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone - Private Property No Admission by Anonymous on Friday, 23 November 2007
Drove past this morning and new signs have gone up next to all easy and unofficial entrances to the site saying it's private woodland. Even the end next to the path up to Nine Barrow Down is barbed wired off. Getting permission is essential now - see Tim's post above.
[ Reply to This ]

Rempstone - Private Property No Admission by TimPrevett on Thursday, 18 August 2005
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There is a new sign gone up next to where most folk enter the wood saying it's private property no admission. However, on my visit, the landowner drove past while I was at the roadside! He seemed amicable about it, anyway, if you want to gain official permission to enter, you need to get in touch with the Rempstone Estate Office, Cow Lane, Wareham, BH20 4RD Tel: 01929 551110.

Cheers

Tim
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone by enkidu41 on Monday, 19 July 2004
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Condition:
Ambience:
Access:Full public access is allowed to this site and the surrounding wooded area although some barbed wire does remain alongside the road. Access is easy (no barbed wire) where a circle stone (Peter Knight's stone E) is visible opposite the western edge of the wood going east on the north side of the B3351 just past Rempstone Hall. There is a layby on the north side of the road about 25 yards further east. A visit in July saw no sign of the previous contributors 'tree fellers' although votive offerings have become rather silly with Morgoth's money being replaced by large plastic ladybirds and the like. The site is still magical however.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Rempstone by Anonymous on Monday, 14 June 2004

Re: Rempstone
by Anonymous on...

Condition:
Ambience:
Access:

Managed destruction at Rempstone ?


Making another visit to Rempstone on Thurs 10th June and again on the Sat I was shocked to see 'forest management' being undertaken ... ( tree clearing so the phonelines don't get snagged ,I think ).

This is resulting, and has resulted, in the stone nearest the road being completely exposed and the two 'avenue' (?) stones in the appoach clearing are now very clear indeed ....from the road also .

I was alarmed that the 'tree fellars' ... ( although there were 4 of them This is a link



  • [ Reply to This ]

    Re: Rempstone by PrinceVulpine on Tuesday, 14 May 2002
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    Lovely article Tim, and you've put a name to a site I visited in the Spring five years ago. Always wondered what it was called, but I just checked and yep - Rempstone Hall is the closest building!Your description seems to match!
    It happened while on holiday in Purbeck, I had visited Studland Bay with my wife and kids and, coming away, noticed on my OS map a stone circle to the left of the road. Curious, I pulled over on the grass verge just beyoind the woods and went exploring...!
    The woods shield this circle well, don't they? I was standing in the middle of the circle before even realising I'd found it, when I noticed a fallen stone in a ditch. Further investigation revealed several more in a broken circle, as well as the votive offerings you described. Truly evocative, the first circle I've seen in a thicket setting, and worth seeking out!
    [ Reply to This ]

    Re: Rempstone by Yo on Tuesday, 14 May 2002
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    I was born in Swanage, Dorset and can remember quite well going into the wood and seeing the Rempstone Stone Circle. It was quite an eeire, dark wood but the stones could still be seen from the road - about 40 years ago that is, when cars travelled slowly!
    I have before me now a booklet dated 1959 "Some Archaeological Discoveries in the Isle of Purbeck" Part 2 by J.Bernard Calkin. In 1957,he interviewed the farmer whose son had ploughed the field where the avenue had been. The stones had been removed and dumped behind Brenscombe Farm.
    There are photos of the remains and two plans of the Rempstone Avenue.
    The Rempstone Circle is described as having 5 stones still standing, three fallen, three others partly buried/displaced. There is a heap of eight more some thirty yards away. Their shape is irregular and they measure up to 6ft in length.
    I'm so pleased that the circle is still there and that Tim has recorded such an interesting article. Rempstone Circle is indeed a gem that has not quite been forgotten!!
    [ Reply to This ]

    Re: Rempstone by Morgoth on Sunday, 25 November 2001
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    Visited it on 24/11/01. Not signposted but easily found by parking opposite the entrance for Nine Barrow Bridle Path on the right hand side of the B3351 (just after the turning for Rempstone Manor) and walking parallel with the road back towards Corfe through the forest The site is suprisingly close to the road. Most of the stones reported in Peter Knight's "Ancient Stones of Dorset" are still present, and there are signs of activity at the site in the form of pennies lodged in crevices in some of the sites.
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