Dons Meyn Naw Men
High up on Bodmin Moor, Nine Stones Circle is a peaceful and mysterious Bronze Age site where people gathered over 4,000 years ago maybe to mark the seasons, hold ceremonies, or honour their beliefs.
This prehistoric stone circle is on the lower north-west slope of Ridge Hill on eastern Bodmin Moor, close to burial monuments and field systems from the same period. The circle was carefully planned, originally with ten stones forming a ring about 15 m across. Today, eight granite slabs remain, though one has fallen outward. One stone was removed sometime after 1884, and another was missing by 1889, leaving a gap over 10 m wide on the north side. A hollow about 2 m across marks where one missing stone once stood.
The eight remaining stones are spaced about 5 m apart. Each stands at least 1 m high and is between 0.3 m and 1 m thick. Their surfaces are weathered, with no signs of shaping, and small packing stones can be seen around their bases.
This stone circle was probably built in the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, when early farming communities began marking the landscape with stone monuments. Circles like this show the planning and social organisation of the people at that time.
A ninth stone stands slightly southeast of the circle’s centre, but it is a later parish boundary stone. It is similar in size but has sharp edges and little weathering, marking the boundary between North Hill and Altarnun parishes.
Nine Stones Circle was part of Cornwall National Landscape’s A Monumental Improvement Project, which aimed to ensure that 40 scheduled monuments across Cornwall National Landscape were better protected, identified and enjoyed by a wider range of people. Between 2022 – 2025, the Project delivered conservation repairs, installed new heritage interpretation signage, ran a range of community volunteering events and developed new website resources. The Project was primarily funded thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from our other partners – Cornwall Council, Historic England, The National Trust, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Cornwall Archaeological Society.
We cannot know the exact beliefs of the people who built this stone circle, but it shows their skill, cooperation, and strong connection to the land. The original purpose of stone circles is still uncertain, but they clearly had great ritual importance for the societies that used them.
Some stone circles may have worked like calendars, marking the passage of time and seasons. This is suggested by the careful alignment of stones with the sun or moon at events like midsummer or midwinter sunrise and sunset. At other sites, the way circles are spaced across the landscape suggests they may have been gathering places for different social groups.
Around 150 stone circles have been found in England, and 16 of these are on Bodmin Moor. They are rare monuments that give us valuable insight into prehistoric ritual life, and all surviving examples are worth protecting.
Beyond Nine Stones stone circle, there are large areas of ancient field systems and settlement sites on Ridge Hill, reaching to within 400 m of the circle to the southeast and northeast. The prominent Clitters Cairn can also be seen on the skyline, about 540 m to the east.
Panoramas
Gallery
As you explore Nine Stones Circle, look closely at the stones themselves. Some have smooth, rounded edges from thousands of years of wind and rain, while others show signs of being re-erected in the 1800s by local landowner and antiquarian F. R. Rodd. The central stone might catch your eye too it looks sharper and less weathered because it’s not part of the original circle. It’s a parish boundary marker, added much later and helps tell the story of how people have reused and reimagined ancient places over time.
You’ll also notice a shallow hollow on the northern edge of the circle. This marks the spot where one of the original stones once stood before it was removed in the 18th century. Around the site, the ground is dotted with moorland plants, mossy patches and small pools that are part of this fragile environment. Prehistoric field systems and ancient landmarks like Clitters Cairn and Fox Tor Stone Alignment add to the site’s importance. Please help protect this special place by sticking to paths, keeping dogs on leads and avoiding climbing or leaning on the stones as they’ve stood here for over 4,000 years and with care, they’ll be here for thousands more.
The moorland around Nine Stones Circle is home to a rich mix of plants and wildlife that have adapted to this wild and often windswept landscape. You might spot hardy grasses, heather and mosses growing low to the ground, along with wet patches that attract insects, frogs and birds. Skylarks can often be heard singing overhead and if you’re lucky, you might see buzzards soaring or ponies grazing nearby. These species rely on the moor staying undisturbed, so please take care where you walk, avoid damaging plants and help keep this unique habitat safe for the creatures and animals that call it home.
You can help protect Nine Stones Circle by treading carefully and respecting this ancient site. Stick to paths where possible to avoid damaging the ground or disturbing wildlife. Please don’t climb on the stones or move anything around the site, they may look tough, but they’re fragile after standing for thousands of years. Keep dogs on leads to protect grazing animals and ground-nesting birds and take any litter home with you. By leaving no trace, you’re helping make sure this special place stays safe for future visitors and for the wildlife that lives here all year round.
Caring for Nine Stones Circle is a shared effort between local landowners, heritage teams and volunteers who all want to keep this site safe and special. In the past, stones were removed or knocked over, but today there’s a strong focus on protecting what remains. Simple actions like recording damage, improving access, and re-erecting fallen stones have helped keep the circle standing. Interpretation panels, guided visits and school activities also play a role in helping people understand the value of this ancient place.
But looking after a remote moorland site isn’t always easy. Harsh weather, erosion and overgrowing vegetation can slowly wear away at the stones and their setting. Livestock and visitors sometimes cause unintentional damage, and keeping the balance between public access and preservation is an ongoing challenge.
Nine Stones Circle becomes Dons Meyn Naw Men in Cornish.
It means dons meyn – stone circle/a dance of stones, naw – nine and men – stone.
Plan your visit with essential details on transport and parking options, available facilities, route descriptions and accessibility information to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience at any of our historical monuments.
When enjoying the countryside, it’s important to follow the Countryside Code to protect nature and preserve its beauty for everyone. This includes simple, respectful actions like not littering always take your rubbish home or dispose of it properly in bins. Stick to designated paths to avoid damaging crops or wildlife habitats, and keep gates and property as you find them, whether open or closed. Be mindful of livestock and wildlife by keeping dogs under control and not disturbing animals. By following these guidelines, you contribute to the protection of the environment and ensure that others can enjoy the countryside as well.
The site is on open moorland with uneven ground and no formal paths, which may be challenging for some visitors.
There are no facilities at the site so please come prepared and take any litter home with you.
Limited roadside parking is available nearby; please park considerately without blocking gates or passing places.
You can play a part in preserving its beauty and history for future generations. Volunteering opportunities range from helping with conservation efforts to assisting with educational programmes and community events. Whether you have a passion for nature, history, or simply love the outdoors, there’s a way for you to contribute. Join us and make a difference while connecting with others who share your enthusiasm for Cornwall’s heritage. Contact us to find out more about how you can get involved!
Cornwall National Landscape is a non-profit organisation that conserves the unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage of Cornwall. Volunteering for the protected landscape provides a rewarding experience of giving back to the community and preserving the Cornwall's natural beauty.
Discover a wealth of knowledge in our Resources section, where you can download detailed research documents, reports, and source material compiled by our archaeology team to enhance your understanding of the site.
