Brats Hill

Ordnance Survey map reference: NY 173023.

Landranger map number: 89.

Latitude: 54.246 degrees.

Longitude: -3.165 degrees.

Architecture: Possible outlier, internal cairn..

Length of the major axis: 32 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 25.9 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 0.5 metres.

Shape: Flat Type A.

Number of stones in the circle originally: .

Number of stones in the circle now: 42.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 4

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

Thom reference for the circle: L1/6 Burnmoor E.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: Arcturus setting 1900 (site E to A), 1800 (site E to B).

Excavations undertaken at this circle: 1827.

Details of any finds at this circle: Antlers.

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

The circle is reached after a considerable walk up a very steep hill from the village of Boot. The stones lie just to the left of a rough path and about 0.5km past a series of derelict buildings and then past a small hill. It is marked on the Landranger OS map as a cairn. The surrounding country side is stunning with magnificent views in most directions.

The circle is not very impressive, the stones are only just noticeable on the heather covered moor. The stones themselves are of a fair size but are well embedded in peat. Within the circle there are five small cairns surrounded by stones no more than 0.31m high. There is a small outlier about 10m to the NW which stands 0.31m tall. Only seven of the original stones appear to be upright, the rest have fallen. The cairns within the circle are open and in a ruinous state but are clearly discernible. Brats Hill is an important and complex stone circle with it's cluster of internal cairns but is not very impressive. The double circle site of White Moss which is close by is more striking. On the whole however, the walk to Brats Hill is steep and the complex of stone circles on Burn Moor is one for the more energetic visitor who has some time to spare. (See also White Moss, Cumbria).

A lonely site amongst magnificent rugged scenery.

A close up of one of the five cairns at Brats Hill.