Merrivale

Ordnance Survey map reference: SX 555744.

Landranger map number: 191.

Latitude: 50.33 degrees.

Longitude: -4.025 degrees.

Architecture: Outlier, stone rows..

Length of the major axis: 19.8 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 17.8 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 0.66 metres.

Shape: Flat Type B.

Number of stones in the circle originally: .

Number of stones in the circle now: 11.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 7

Burl rating of the circle: 1 (Good, worth visiting).

Thom reference for the circle: S2/2.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: Dec +14.9 Circ to Outlier.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: -.

Details of any finds at this circle: -

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

There is a small car park on the south side of the main B 3357 Tavistock road which is only 400m away from the circle. It lies on moor land and can be seen from the main road as you approach Tavistock from the east but cannot be seen from the car park near the circle. A short walk up a steep slope onto the moor takes you to a double stone row. The circle lies about 100m on the other side of this row to the right hand side.

The stones are not tall and there is a lot of loose natural stone on the moor, the circle lies in an area that is clear of these natural stones.An outlier to the south towers above the circle and stands a massive 3.8m tall, it diminishes the small circle stones, the tallest of which stands at only 0.66m high. Another stone about 18m to the NW of the circle's centre stands at 0.3m and I am not sure whether this is related to the site or not.The stones of Merrivale are small but they make up a neat ring in the short cropped grass, it is in good condition and is fairly easy to reach. There are excellent views in all directions with six rocky tors visible on the horizon.

The small stones of Merrivale with King's Tor in the background.

The north east arc of the ring with Staple Tors in the background.

The tall outlier at Merrivale is enormous compared with the rest of the circle stones.

The double stone row to the north of Merrivale stone circle.