Double row at Porlock Common, South West
Exmoor in the South West of England has at least 42 stone alignments and a large number of stone settings. The Gazetteer currently includes the monuments considered most likely to represent the remains of stone alignments and in the future the abundant stone settings and quincunxs will be added. The stone alignments on Exmoor consist mainly of small stones and are often described as minilithic. The Exmoor alignments are generally very different in character to the Dartmoor ones, although some share several characteristics and there are enough similarities to indicate that they belong to the same tradition. The small size of the stones used in the construction of these alignments means that none of them make a significant architectural statement and this emphasises that their builders were not seeking to create highly visible monuments. The contrast with the avenues at West Kennet and alignments at Callanish are notable.
Many of the Exmoor stone rows are laid out in a grid pattern with a considerable distance between the individual stones and the separate rows at non single row sites. Some authorities prefer to see these sites as setting rather than rows, but they have been included as stone rows here because they include at least three stones in a line and therefore meet the definition.
Map showing the location of Exmoor
Map showing the distribution of Exmoor stone alignments.
Exmoor stone rows at a glimpse
Exmoor stone row plans
Simplified plans of the stone rows on Exmoor. The scale for all sites without individual scale and orientation is in the bottom right hand box. Click on image to open a higher resolution version.
Exmoor stone rows in charts
Pie charts showing the proportions of different types of stone row on Exmoor and Great Britain. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Pie charts showing the proportions of different lengths of Exmoor and British stone rows. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Pie charts showing the proportions of different numbers of stones recorded at Exmoor and British stone rows. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Pie charts showing the proportions of different stone sizes recorded at Exmoor and British stone rows. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Radar graphs showing the orientation of Exmoor and British stone rows.
Exmoor stone rows in numbers
| No. of alignments | 42 |
| Number of single alignments | 13 |
| Number of double alignments | 17 |
| Number of triple alignments | 7 |
| Number of multiple alignments | 5 |
| Number of combination alignments | 0 |
| Maximum length | 420m |
| Minimum length | 8m |
| Average length | 65.3m |
| Median length | 28.1m |
| Longest row | White Ladder |
| Shortest row | Porlock Allotment |
| Total number of recorded stones | 592 |
| Average number of stones in each alignment | 14 |
| Alignments including small stones | 34 |
| Alignments including medium stones | 36 |
| Alignments including large stones | 1 |
| Average orientation | 84° |
| Average altitude | 392m |
| Highest alignment | Bray Common (469m) |
| Lowest alignment | Mattocks Down (216m) |
| Cairn at the top of alignment | 3 |
| Cairn at the bottom of alignment | 3 |
| Scheduled alignments | 18 |
Individual Rows
A summary of information for the individual stone alignments can be viewed by clicking on the site names below. Whilst it is believed that the existing information is accurate, mistakes inevitably occur and should you spot any your help in improving this resource would be much appreciated. Your help will of course be fully acknowledged. Please use the contact button to get in touch.
A multiple stone row measuring at least 29.8m long, including 15 small and medium-sized stones arranged in four separate rows situated on an gentle south facing slope. The row is orientated north west to south east.
A triple stone row measuring 12.78m long, including nine medium-sized stones situated on a gentle north west facing slope. The row is orientated east to west and there are a number of stone rows, settings and cairns in the vicinity.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring up to 16m long, originally including at least 9 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope with a restricted sea view. The row is orientated north east to south west and stands in the vicinity of several ring cairns and a stone row.
A mutilated multiple stone row measuring 18.6m long, including at least 5 small and medium-sized stones situated in the bottom of a shallow valley. The row is orientated east to west and originally probably included 16 stones arranged in a grid. The row stands in the vicinity of a stone pair, stone row and cairn.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) that measured 19.5m long, including 4 small and medium-sized stones situated on a hilltop. The row was orientated north east to south west and led from a substantial barrow which still survives.
A triple stone row measuring 66mm long, including 13 small and medium-sized stones situated on a north facing slope. The row is orientated NNE to SSW, is situated in the vicinity of cairns and standing stones and has a restricted view of the sea.
A probable single stone row measuring at least 28.2m long, including eight small-sized stones situated on a gentle north west facing slope with a restricted view of the sea and South Wales. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and there is a cairn and stone rows in the vicinity. There is an uncertain second stone row immediately to the west.
A triple stone row measuring at least 27m long, including 10 small and medium-sized stones situated on a ridge. The row is orientated ENE to WSW and there are large numbers of stone rows, settings and cairns in the vicinity.
A multiple stone row measuring at least 16.5m long, including 10 small, medium and large-sized stones situated on a ridge. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and there are large numbers of stone rows, settings and cairns in the vicinity.
A single stone row measuring 108.7m long, including 4 small and medium-sized stones and a hollow situated on a gentle north facing slope. The row is orientated ESE to WNW and stands close to a cairn. There are several cairns, stone rows and a stone circle in the vicinity.
A single stone row measuring 371m long, including at least 21 small and medium-sized stones situated on a north east facing slope originally with a sea view and an extensive view of South Wales. The row is orientated west to east and there are several cairns in the vicinity. A “Christianised” standing stone known as the Culbone Stone stands a short distance from the upper end of the row.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring up to 17.3m long, including 9 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle west facing slope. The row is orientated west to east and stands in the vicinity of several cairns, stone settings and two stone rows.
A probable double stone row measuring up to 38.6m long, including 4 small and medium-sized stones and two hollows situated on a north west facing slope. The row is orientated ENE to WSW and stands in an area with several other stone rows and cairns. There is a restricted view of the sea and Holdstone Hill appears at the limit of visibility.
A single stone row measuring 14.5m long, including three small and medium-sized stones situated on a ridge. The row is orientated ENE to WSW and there are large numbers of stone rows, settings and cairns in the vicinity.
A single stone row measuring at least 73m long, including 11 small-sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope with a sea view and an extensive view of South Wales. The row is orientated south east to north west and there is a small cairn at the lower (NW end). There are several other cairns, stone settings, rows and standing stones in the vicinity.
A triple stone row measuring 37.6m long, including 15 small and medium-sized stones situated on a narrow gently sloping terrace on an east facing hillside. The row is orientated north to south and there are large numbers of stone rows, settings and cairns in the vicinity.
A “grid type” triple stone row measuring 36.05m long, including ten medium-sized stones situated on a gentle east facing slope. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and . There are a number of cairns in the vicinity.
A probable double stone row measuring up to 19.51m long, including 8 small and medium-sized stones situated on a north east facing slope. The row is orientated ENE to WSW and stands in an area with several other stone rows and cairns. There is a restricted view of the sea and the Brecon Beacons.
A multiple stone row measuring at least 28m long, including 11 small and medium-sized stones situated on an east facing slope. The row is orientated ESE to WNW and stands in the vicinity of a cairn and standing stones.
A probable double stone row measuring 16.7m long, including at least 8 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle east slope. The row is orientated NNE to SSW, leads from a small robbed cairn and has seen considerable damage since it was first identified in 1932. The row stands in the vicinity of several cairns and a stone pair.
A double stone row measuring 42m long, including at least 13 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle east facing slope. The row stands beside a small cairn and another one may denote the lower end. The row is orientated north west to south east and stands in the vicinity of several stone settings.
A possible double stone row measuring up to 32.17m long, including 4 medium-sized stones and a hollow situated on a south east facing slope. The row is orientated ESE WNW and stands in an area with several other stone rows.
A probable double stone row measuring at least 20.61m long, including 6 small and medium-sized stones situated on an east facing slope. The row is orientated south east to north west and stands in an area with several other stone rows settings and cairns.
A single stone row measuring 9m long, which originally included three medium-sized stones situated on a gentle south west facing slope. Only two of the stones now survive and they are orientated north west to south east. Extensive views, including Hartland Point are available from the row which stands in the vicinity of several prominent hill top cairns and a stone row.
A single stone row measuring 286m long, including 12 small and medium-sized stones situated on a north facing slope with restricted views of the Bristol Channel and South Wales. The row is orientated ESE to WNW and is aligned upon nearby cairns. Further cairns stand in the vicinity.
A single stone row that measured 45m long, including at least 23 stones situated in a col between high ground to the north and south. Sadly, this row has been destroyed but a survey plan made in 1630 by Thomas Westcote confirms that it once existed. The row was orientated east to west and stood in the immediate vicinity of three barrows and two standing stones, one of which still survives.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring up to 22.5m long, including 8 medium-sized stones situated on a gentle south facing slope. The row is orientated NNE to SSW. Extensive views, including Hartland Point and Five Barrows are available from the row which stands in the vicinity of several prominent hill top cairns and a stone row.
A fan-shaped multiple stone row measuring 42m long, including at least 18 small and medium-sized stones arranged in at least four separate lines and situated on a west facing slope. The row is orientated east to west and stands in an area with broadly contemporary stone rows, stone settings and cairns.
A double stone row measuring 8m long, including 7 recumbent medium sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and stands in the vicinity of stone rows, cairns and standing stones. There is a restricted sea view from the row.
A probable single stone row measuring 293m long, said to include at least 11 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope with a sea view and an extensive view of South Wales. The row is orientated west to east. In 2018 only three stones were found, the remainder have probably been removed or are now below the ground surface.
A double row measuring 28m long, including 11 small-sized stones situated on a gentle west facing slope close to a stone circle. The row is orientated north west to south east and further stones and cairns in the vicinity may be broadly contemporary. Excavations revealed an additional socket hole but no dating evidence.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring up to 18.55m long, including 3 small and medium-sized stones and three hollows situated on a gentle north west facing slope. The row is orientated north east to south west and has a restricted view of the sea and Hartland Point. Several skyline barrows are visible to the north.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring up to 19.5m long, including 8 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle east facing slope. The row is orientated north east to south west.
A single stone row measuring at least 73.5m long, including 16 small-sized stones situated on a gentle north west facing slope with a sea view and an extensive view of South Wales. The row is orientated ENE to WSW and there are several cairns, stone settings, row and standing stones in the vicinity.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring 17.5m long, including 6 medium-sized stones situated on a gentle west facing slope. The row is orientated north to south and stands in the vicinity of several cairns, stone settings and two stone rows.
A probable double stone row measuring 26.06m long, including at least 7 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle west facing slope. The row is orientated ESE to WNW and overlooks the Lanacombe stone rows. A restricted view of Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons is available from the row.
A single stone row measuring at least 99m long, including 14 mainly small-sized stones situated on the top of a north facing slope with a restricted sea view. The row is orientated south east to north west. There are several cairns, stone settings, rows and standing stones in the vicinity.
A single stone row measuring 64.7m long including seven small and medium sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope. The row is orientated north to south and stands in the vicinity of another stone row, settings and cairns.
A double row measuring 420m long, including 164 small-sized stones situated on a gentle north facing slope with a restricted sea view reveal. The row is orientated north west to south east, is visible only during periods of drought and stands in an area with broadly contemporary stone rows and cairns. A mound at the top of the row may represent a cairn.
A possible single stone row measuring 26m long, including three small and medium-sized stones situated on a north west facing slope. The row is orientated north east to south west and there is another stone row and cairns in the vicinity.
A probable, combination single, double and triple stone row measuring 68m long, including 50 small and medium-sized stones situated on a gentle west facing slope. The row is orientated north east to south west. It has been suggested that this is the remains of a boundary wall but the largest stones are at either end, many seem set and there is a clear visual link with South Wales. There are cairns, field boundaries and another stone row in the vicinity.
A wide double stone row (or avenue) measuring 19.3m long, including at least 4 medium-sized stones situated on a relatively steep north facing slope above a steep scarp. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and has extensive views of the Bristol Channel and South Wales. It stands in the vicinity of several cairns, stone settings and stone rows.
LAST UPDATED 27th July 2019
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 