Midmar Kirk

Ordnance Survey map reference: NJ 699064.

Landranger map number: 38.

Latitude: 57.089 degrees.

Longitude: -2.298 degrees.

Architecture: Recumbent SC with stones graded in height..

Length of the major axis: 17.4 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 17.4 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 2.5 metres.

Shape: Circle.

Number of stones in the circle originally: 8.

Number of stones in the circle now: 8.

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

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

Thom reference for the circle: B2/17.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: -.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: -.

Details of any finds at this circle: -

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

Access is very easy, the circle lies inside a church yard and parking is available just outside. Only a walk of a few yards is needed to reach the site.

This circle is Gothic in it's appearance, it's position within the boundaries of a graveyard and it's canine shaped flanking stones standing each side the huge recumbent, make it look like something from a Hammer House of Horror film set. The recumbent has been packed underneath with small stones to make it level and weighs in the region of 20 tons. The circle and stones are not massive the smallest stone stands at 1.01m, the tallest at 2.5m. There are no other structures visible either in, or around the circle and the interior is of short cut grass.The general impression of this circle is excellent, the dominating 4.5m long recumbent and it's impressive dressed flankers make Midmar Kirk a circle well worth visiting.

The canine like flanking stones at Midmar Kirk give the recumbent an alter like appearance that is more reminiscent of a Hammer House of Horror film set than a typical stone circle.

The original packing stones around the base of the recumbent stone can clearly be seen.

Given the architecture of the site and flankers it is easy to see how recumbent stones were mistakenly seen by some as sacrificial alters.

In it's graveyard setting, Midmar Kirk is a very evocative circle to visit.