Site Event/Activity record EEM14725 - 2017: TS; PS - Withypool Stone Circle

A measured and photographic survey of the Withypool Stone Circle was undertaken in February 2017. This aimed to make a detailed measured and photographic record of Withypool Stone Circle at an appropriate scale, including a record of each stone. This was to be sufficiently detailed to inform future conservation works, and to include the extent of the current path and erosion damage caused. The 2017 survey identified 30 in situ stones forming part of the circle, compared to 27 in 1989 and 29 in 1969 and 1978. Two tracks causing erosion were thought to be causing the exposure as well as loss of stones around the site. A modern cairn has been created adjacent to a track in the centre of the stone circle, formed from small stones possibly derived from the track (i.e. naturally eroding stone) or from another source, the stone circle itself or from the quarry car park immediately west of the survey area, southwest of Portford Bridge. Several animal tracks were recorded passing through the stone circle. These were not causing any damage and there is no evidence that the grazing animals were using the monoliths as rubbing stones. Most are generally too small for such a use.