 The Merry Maidens is a complete late Neolithic stone circle comprised of 19 granite megaliths situated in a field alongside a minor road. The circle is almost 80 feet in diameter with the tallest stone standing approximately 4-1/2 feet tall. Stones are regularly spaced around the circle with a gap or entrance at its exact most easterly point.
The local myth about the creation of the stones suggests that 19 maidens were turned into stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday.
About Merry Maidens
Cornwall's Archaeological Heritage: Merry Maidens
Megalithic Portal: Merry Maidens
Modern Antiquarian: Merry Maidens
Megalithics: Merry Maidens (Dawn's Men)
Stone Pages: Merry Maidens
Wikipedia: Merry Maidens
Wikipedia: Stone Circle
Journey to Merry Maidens
The Merry Maidens Stone Circle is located just off the B3315 road two miles south of the village of St. Buryan in the West Penwith area of Cornwall in southwest England.
Ordnance Survey Map (SW433245)
Visitors Information
Visitors information for the Merry Maidens Stone Circle may be found at the Cornwall's Archaeological Heritage website. For general Cornwall tourist information, see the Visit Cornwall website.
Photos of Merry Maidens
Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Close-Up of Four of 19 Merry Maidens
Gate to Path to the Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Merry Maidens Stone Circle and Outlier Stone
Close-Up of Outlier Stone at the Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Close-Up of Stones, Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Close-Up of Stones, Merry Maidens Stone Circle
Close-Up of Stones, Merry Maidens Stone Circle
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