A ramble to the Duddo Stone Circle in Northumberland

The Duddo Stone Circle is one of over 1,250 stone circles that dot the countryside of the British Isles. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

The Duddo Stone Circle, also known as Duddo Five Stones, is a 4,000-year-old stone circle in North Northumberland, close to the Scottish Border.

There are known to be over 1,250 prehistoric stone circles all over the countryside in the British Isles.

Along with standing stones, henges, dolmens and cup-marks these mysterious relics from past civilisations are enshrouded in legend and myth.

Stone circles began appearing around 3000BC and they range in size from spectacular rings such as Stonehenge to this rather modest example at Duddo.

The eroded stones look like clenched fists from certain angles. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

The information board at the site reads as follows:

“Duddo represents an exceptionally clear example of the relationship between a stone circle and its setting. The circle visible today is incomplete. Sometime before 1852, two stones were lost from the northwest quadrant, leaving only five stones remaining. Of these, the most northeasterly stone fell sometime during the 19th century and was pulled to the north to admit ploughing across the interior of the circle. It was re-erected around 1903.”

Prior to 1903, the circle was known as Four Stones.

The view from the circle with the Cheviot Hills in the background. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

Radiocarbon dating suggests that the stones were erected sometime around 2000BC. Ancient cremated human remains have been found in a pit at the centre of the circle.

Some 4,000 years of erosion have created deep cuts and scars in the limestone. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

On this exposed hilltop the stones have felt the effects of 4,000 years of wind and rain, scoring deep cuts and scars in the soft sandstone and at least one of the rocks appears to bear man-made cup-markings whose symbolism is unknown.

The stones vary in height from 1.5m to 2.3m and are arranged in a rough circle with a diameter of about 10m.

Various nicknames have been given to the stones — Singing Stones, perhaps due to the sound made by wind passing over their surface; The Seven Turnip Pickers, which could be a reference to the tale that seven farm labourers were turned into stone by God as punishment for working here on the Sabbath.

From some angles they resemble clenched fists or a set of receding teeth.

A path through fields of Wheetabix takes visitors to the stones. (Thrifty Traveller pic)

Access to the Duddo Stone Circle is permitted during daylight hours only. There is no camping and dogs must be kept on a lead.

It is about a 2.3km walk through a farmer’s field from the roadside parking to the stones. Be sure to not block the farmer’s access when parking.

This article first appeared on Thrifty Traveller

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