Open moorland north of Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon
Grey Wethers Stone Circles
Prehistoric
Place photograph
6.6
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.6Two Bronze Age stone circles stand side by side on Dartmoor’s open moor: a striking pair of granite rings, restored in 1909, with some stones re-erected in the wrong positions.
Grey Wethers brings an unusually close encounter with prehistoric Dartmoor: two neighbouring stone circles set in open moorland beneath Sittaford Tor. The scale of the landscape and the visible traces of the site’s restoration make this more than a quick look at old stones.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Wild
Find your way
Open mapOpen moorland north of Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit the paired Bronze Age circles on the open moor, compare their different sizes and stone counts, and look for evidence of the early-20th-century restoration. The site is part of a wider group of prehistoric monuments.
Things to do
Compare the two circles
The northern circle is reported as 31.5 metres across with 20 standing stones; the southern is 33 metres across with 29. Compare their layouts while walking between the neighbouring rings.
20–40 minutes
Look for signs of restoration
The circles were restored in 1909, and some stones were re-erected in the wrong places. The source identifies small packing stones at the bases as clues to stones that were reset.
10–20 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
See the double stone circles
- 01
Check access and weather conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not identify a verified start point or parking.
- 02
Visit both neighbouring stone circles and compare their size and number of stones.
- 03
Look for small packing stones at the bases of stones re-erected during the 1909 restoration.
Half day · Half day or longer
Make it a moorland walking day
- 01
Plan a longer Dartmoor walk that includes the circles, using a current map and checking local access and weather first.
- 02
A published walk described in the supplied source continues towards Sittaford Tor and the East Dart waterfalls, then follows the East Dart back towards Postbridge.
- 03
Treat that account as inspiration rather than verified route directions; confirm the route and conditions before going.
Verified history
Grey Wethers is a pair of Bronze Age stone circles in open moorland north of Postbridge. The northern circle is reported as 31.5 metres across and made up of 20 standing stones; the southern is 33 metres across with 29. An excavation in the late 19th century found a layer of charcoal at the original ground level. In 1909 the circles were restored, and some stones were re-erected in the wrong positions. The nearby group of monuments also includes cairns and an oval enclosure; the source says the group is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Folklore & legend
The name is said to come from the circles’ resemblance, seen from a distance, to flocks of sheep. “Wethers” is given as a local term for a sheep. This is presented as an explanation of the name, not as established history.
Hidden details
Packing stones reveal the restoration — Look at the bases of the re-erected stones for small packing stones used to stabilise them during the 1909 restoration.
The circles are exceptionally close together — The two rings are reported to stand just 4.5 metres apart, making their paired arrangement easy to appreciate on the ground.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources.
No seasonal wildlife, flowering or visitor-condition information is established by the supplied sources.
The circles are on open moorland. Check the forecast and local conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not provide specific safety or route advice.
Worth pairing with
East Dart waterfalls and Postbridge
A published walk account describes extending a visit to the circles towards the East Dart waterfalls and returning downstream to Postbridge. Verify route details and conditions independently before using this as a plan.
Sittaford Tor
The stone circles are described as standing beneath Sittaford Tor; a walk account mentions continuing to the tor for 360-degree views. Treat this as a reported walking experience, not a verified route.
What to look for
- 01
Compare the two circles: the northern circle is described as 31.5 metres across with 20 standing stones; the southern is 33 metres across with
- 02
Look for small packing stones at the bases of stones re-erected during the 1909 restoration.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
Check local conditions before travelling. The supplied sources do not establish a best season.
No best time of day is established by the supplied sources. Dartmoor weather can make an exposed moorland visit challenging; check conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The source row reports the site as operational, but does not establish access arrangements or route conditions. Check current access and moorland conditions before setting out; do not assume a particular route or access point. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Parking and the best start point are not established by the supplied sources. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row says there is no wheelchair-accessible car park or entrance. The walking approach and ground conditions are not specified; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Grey Wethers Stone Circles
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
