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The Hurlers
Cornwall
This unusual site consists of three stone circles that lie close together on the wild plains of Bodmin Moor. It is also unusual for the fact that, unlike most circles, the local granite stones that were used for the circles were shaped. Although the circles are all different sizes they lie in a line in a north, north east - south, south west alignment. The southerly circle is the smallest at approx. 105 ft across and consists of nine stones. The central circles if approx. 137ft across and consists of 17 stones, whilst the third circle is approx. 133 ft across and consisting of 16 stones. All three circles were carefully constructed to give the appearance of all the stones being the same height. The tallest stones stand at the south of the two northernmost circles. In the central circle, the stones have been hammered smooth. The chips and crystals dislodged by the hammering are strewn across the floor of the central circle. Excavations in 1935 also discovered that the floor of the northern circle was paved with granite. The central and northern circles were linked by a 6ft wide granite pathway.
The
name for the stone circle "The Hurlers" comes from an old legend that
the stones in the circles are actually men that have been turned to stone.
In 1587 William Camden wrote "The neighbouring inhabitants term them
Hurlers, as being by devout and godly error persuaded that they had been men
sometime transformed into stones, for profaning the Lord's Day with hurling the
ball."
South
west of the centre circle lie "The Pipers".
These two standing stones are believed to be, according to the local
legends, musicians turned to stone for playing music on the Sabbath.
The circles are literally a few hundred yards from the car park. The moorland surrounding them give them a fabulous backdrop, especially with the Cheesewring rock formation in the distance and various remains of tin mines scattered about the landscape.
Although at the time of our visit there was a blustery wind which gave the moors a bleakness, there was an "atmosphere" that surrounded the circles. It was an atmosphere of tranquility, reverence and awe. Definitely one to visit!
Directions
Following the lanes that lead to the village of Minions, there are sign posts leading to The Hurlers. At the side of the road is a car park for The Hurlers and from the information board at the end of the car park the circles can be seen.
Photos
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