More information : (SY 72338706) Stone Circle (NR) (remains of) (NAT) (1)
The Little Mayne stone circle is marked now only by a few
scattered sarsens. Roger Gale, who visited the site in 1728
records "a circle of stone lately broke to pieces by the owner
of the land", and "two avenues of pitcht Stones leading up to
it, one from the south, the other from the east".
John Sydenham visited Little Mayne in 1847, and although his
description of outer circles and avenues seems fanciful, it is
difficult to discount his record of "a complete but small
circle.... composed of ten or eleven stones... about thirty
feet in diameter".
Warne writes that by 1868 all had been destroyed. (2)
About fifty exposed sarsen stones lie prostrate in the area of Little Mayne Farm. It is not possible to determine if any are in situ, and no pattern of circles or avenues can be traced. Earthworks to the west and north-east of the farmhouse are probably part of the manorial establishment. (See plan, and SY 78 NW 25). (3)
The sarsens scattered around Little Mayne Farm are a natural
phenomenon and form no coherent plan, despite alleged
arrangements in one or more circles or avenues (one of which is
certainly a Medieval road). Most have been moved. (4)
The remaining sarsen stones in the area are as described by
Authority 3 and 4.
Stone symbol detail revised on M.S.D. at 1:2500. (5)
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