The Merry Maidens, Neolithic stone circle near St Buryan, England
The Merry Maidens features nineteen granite stones arranged in a perfect circle with a diameter of twenty-four meters on Cornwall's landscape.
Archaeological evidence indicates the stone circle was constructed during the late Neolithic period, approximately four thousand years ago, serving ceremonial purposes.
Local residents named the site Dans Maen, meaning Stone Dance in Cornish, referring to the arrangement of nineteen granite megaliths in the field.
The stone circle stands next to the B3315 road between Newlyn and Land's End, with two additional standing stones called The Pipers located northeast.
Each stone in the circle measures between 0.9 to 1.4 meters tall, with their tops carefully leveled to face toward the center point.
Location: St Buryan
GPS coordinates: 50.06513,-5.58878
Latest update: May 11, 2025 00:40
Stone circles stand among humanity's earliest architectural accomplishments, constructed by prehistoric communities across Europe and beyond over thousands of years. These circular arrangements of standing stones served multiple purposes, functioning as astronomical observatories where ancient peoples tracked celestial movements, seasonal changes, and solar events. The monuments also acted as communal gathering spaces for ceremonies, trade, and social activities. The engineering skills required to transport, raise, and position these massive stones—some weighing several tons—reveal the sophisticated organizational capabilities and technical knowledge of Neolithic and Bronze Age societies. This collection spans numerous locations throughout Europe. In England, Stonehenge features precisely arranged upright stones forming a 98-foot (30-meter) circle built between 3000 and 2000 BC, while the Avebury complex measures 1,086 feet (331 meters) across and dates to 2850 BC. Scotland hosts several significant sites, including the Callanish Stones with a central monolith standing 16 feet (4.8 meters) tall, and the Ring of Brodgar, which originally contained 60 stones encircled by a 30-foot (9-meter) wide ditch. The Castlerigg Stone Circle sits surrounded by Lake District peaks, constructed around 3000 BC. Beyond the British Isles, Germany's Goseck Circle demonstrates astronomical alignment dating to 4900 BC, making it one of the oldest known structures of its kind. Ireland's Drombeg Stone Circle uses 17 stones to mark solstice positions. Each site provides insight into how prehistoric communities observed the heavens, marked time, and organized their societies around these enduring monuments.
Boscawen-Un
3.5 km
Tater Du Lighthouse
1.7 km
St Buryan's Church
2.7 km
Tregiffian Burial Chamber
243 m
St Loy's Cove
1.7 km
Boleigh Fogou
833 m
The Pipers
421 m
Round, courtyard house, stone hut circle settlement and field system 275m north of Castallack Carn
1.8 km
Standing stone known as the 'Blind Fiddler', 405m south east of Lesbew Farm
3.8 km
Two standing stones known as the Long Stones, 280m south east of Higher Drift Farm
3.8 km
Tresvennack Pillar
3.5 km
Church of St Clement (methodist )
4 km
Guide Post At Sw 401248
3.2 km
Milestone Approximately 135M Se Of The Firs
3.9 km
Milestone At Sw 43110 28029, 87M North-East Of Lower Hendra Cottages
3.5 km
Churchyard Walls And Adjoining War Memorial
2.6 km
Boskenna Gate Cross
1.3 km
Kerris Manor Farmhouse Including Front Garden Walls And Rear Courtyard Walls
2.9 km
Boskenna Cross
736 m
Guide Post At Sw399241
3.4 km
St Buryan churchtown cross
2.6 km
Churchyard cross in St Buryan churchyard
2.6 km
Kerris Cross
2.9 km
Keigwin Little Keigwin
4 km
Guide Post At Sw400247
3.3 km
Cross At Sw4611725135 (Kemyel Drea Cross)
2.9 km
Mounting Block Near South Gateway Of Churchyard Of Church Of St Buryan
2.6 km
Prehistoric entrance grave 900m north west of Tregiffian Farm
238 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes