Druid's Altar

Ordnance Survey map reference: SD 949652.

Landranger map number: 98.

Latitude: 54.05 degrees.

Longitude: -2.05 degrees.

Architecture: Four poster stone circle..

Length of the major axis: 4 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 3.5 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 1.27 metres.

Shape: Four poster.

Number of stones in the circle originally: 4.

Number of stones in the circle now: 4.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 6

Burl rating of the circle: 3 (Ruined but recognisable ).

Thom reference for the circle: -.

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:

An easy circle to find with no access problems. It lies on Malham moor above the town of Grassington and is marked on the OS Landranger maps as a cairn. A short walk of 150m from an unfenced road is needed to reach it.

Only three of the four stones at this site still remain upright. The fourth SW pillar has broken off at it's base and lies within the circle. This fallen stone looks like a pagan altar and so not surprisingly we find that the circles name is unimaginative derived from it. The remaining stump still left in the ground is clearly visible. One of the stones of the ring is leaning slightly and appears unstable, around it's base can be seen the original packing material.  The stones of the Druid's Altar are of white limestone and stand proud against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors. The whole surrounding area is scattered with such stones and they clearly make up the source material for this circle. There are distant views in most directions. A neat little ring but quite badly damaged at the south side. Worth a visit if only for it's accessibility and the fact that it is the only four poster in this part of Britain, it's nearest neighbour 'The Goatstones' is seventy miles to the north.

The Druid's Altar, Yorkshire.

Three of the four original stones of this four poster are still upright. The fourth fallen stone gives the site it's name.