Nine Maidens stone row

Nine Maidens stone row consists of nine granite megaliths forming a line about 108 meters long. The stones vary in height from roughly 0.8 to 2.1 meters and are aligned toward a single stone standing apart.

The stone row was first recorded by Richard Carew in 1605 and dates from the Bronze Age between 3000 and 800 BC. The exact purpose of this arrangement remains unclear and continues to be studied.

Local legend tells of nine young women turned to stone as punishment for dancing on Sunday, with a distant stone representing their musician. This story still shapes how people understand and talk about the place today.

The stones stand beside the A39 road, but reaching the monument requires walking through fields from a nearby layby. The ground can become wet or difficult to access depending on weather, so sturdy footwear is helpful.

The monument inspired composer George Lloyd to create the Celtic opera Iernin in 1934 about a stone maiden becoming a fairy. This shows how ancient sites can spark modern artistic works.

Location: St Columb Major

GPS coordinates: 50.47160,-4.90933

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08