North Ings
The stone rows on the North York Moors all consist of relatively small numbers of medium or large stones. They are mostly of the single row type and vary considerably in length. In common with the alignments in the south of Britain a significant number are directly associated with cairns. The very short rows found in most regions are not found in the North York Moors area.
Map showing the location of North York Moors
Interactive map showing the distribution of North York Moors stone rows.
North York Moors stone rows at a glimpse
North York Moors stone row plans
Simplified plans of the stone rows on North York Moors. Click on image to open a higher resolution version.
North York Moors stone rows in charts
Pie charts showing the proportions of different types of stone row in North York Moors and Great Britain. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Pie charts showing the proportions of different lengths of North York Moors 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 North York Moors and British stone rows. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Pie charts showing the proportions of different stone sizes recorded at North Yorks Moor and British stone rows. Click on image to see a higher resolution version.
Radar graphs showing the orientation of North York Moors and British stone rows.
North York Moors stone rows in numbers
| No. of alignments | 9 |
| Number of single alignments | 6 |
| Number of double alignments | 3 |
| Number of triple alignments | 0 |
| Number of multiple alignments | 0 |
| Number of combination alignments | 0 |
| Maximum length | 490.6m |
| Minimum length | 27.3m |
| Average length | 123m |
| Median length | 64.5 |
| Longest alignment | North Ings |
| Shortest alignment | Old Castle Hill |
| Total number of recorded stones | 147 |
| Average number of stones in each row | 18 |
| Median number of stones in each row | 8.5 |
| Alignments including small stones | 3 |
| Alignments including medium stones | 7 |
| Alignments including large stones | 7 |
| Average orientation | 106° |
| Median orientation | 106° |
| Average altitude | 270m |
| Highest alignment | North Ings (306m) |
| Lowest alignment | Crown End (229m) |
| Cairn at the top of alignment | 3 |
| Cairn at the bottom of alignment | 1 |
| Scheduled alignments | 5 |
Individual Rows
A summary of information for the individual stone rows 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 probable double stone row known only from an annotated record map produced in 1956. The row is described as parallel lines of stones leading to a small cairn. The area was forested shortly after the row was identified. Other cairns survive in the vicinity.
A possible double stone row measuring 34m long, including 7 small and medium-sized stones leading from a stone circle situated on a south west facing slope. The row is orientated ESE to WNW and stands in the vicinity of several cairns and a prehistoric field system. Doubts concerning the identity of this row hinge around the fact that stones in the area have been interfered with.
A probable single stone row measuring 168m long, including about 21 visible medium and large-sized stones situated on both sides of a west to east ridge. The row has been partly incorporated into a later field bank. One stone has a possible small cross carved on it, perhaps an attempt to Christianise the row. The row is orientated north to south and stands in an area with several cairns, prehistoric settlements and field systems.
A probable single stone row measuring 72m long, including about 10 medium and large-sized stones situated on a west facing slope with a restricted sea view reveal. The row leads from a small stone circle and is orientated north west to south east. There is a second stone circle, several cairns and prehistoric field systems in the vicinity.
A single stone row measuring 490.6m long, including about 83 visible small, medium and large-sized stones situated on a south facing slope with a sea view reveal at the upper end. Excavations confirmed that the row had been partly incorporated into a later field bank. One stone has a small cross carved on it, perhaps an attempt to Christianise the row. The row is orientated north to south and stands in an area with several cairns.
A single stone row measuring 27.3m long, including two large recumbent stones situated on a small promontory with restricted views of the sea. Originally there were at least five stones, but three have been removed since the 1930’s. The row is orientated ESE to WNW, stands in an area with several cairns and has a dramatic visual relationship with nearby Freebrough Hill.
A single stone row measuring 27.5m long, originally including at least five large-sized stones situated on the summit of a prominent hill. Only four stones remain, three of which are upright and stand between 1.79m and 0.91m high. The row is orientated north east to south west and leads from a kerbed cairn. There is at least one other cairn in the vicinity.
A possible single stone row measuring 108m long, including at least two surviving large stones and two smaller possible stones situated on the summit of a hill with widespread views of the sea. The row leads between two barrows and is orientated east to west.
A possible double stone row measuring 57m long, including 12 small, medium and large-sized stones situated on the north facing side of a ridge. There is a considerable gap between the northern and southern ends of the row which casts doubt on the stone row identification. The row is orientated north to south.
LAST UPDATED: 30th September 2019
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 