THE NINE STONES

WINTERBOURNE ABBAS, NEAR DORCHESTER

MANY of us will have driven past this small prehistoric circle of nine standing stones without knowing much about them, or in some cases even knowing they exist.

These English Heritage managed-stones are in a wooded glade just off the A35 and parking is permitted in the nearby Little Chef car park to view them.

The stone circle resembles a huddle of ancient conspirators, lurking in the trees.

Stone circles are found throughout England, although we do not fully understand why they were built or how they were used, it is clear that they had ritual importance for the people who used them: in many cases, excavation has revealed evidence of burials and associated rituals.

The Nine Stones is one of only four stone circles to survive in south Dorset, and its location in a valley bottom is very unusual. Entry is free.