Mystical Legends of the Stone Circle at Stonor Park

The stones themselves are of two kinds: sarsens, massive blocks of sandstone that were once part of a great carpet of stone buried beneath the melting ice; and puddingstones, pebbles bound together in limestone cement. After more than three millennia, they still endure — quiet and inscrutable. Whether first arranged by ancient communities for ritual or ceremony, or later shaped into a circle by human hands, they mark a place of significance beyond the ordinary.

Over the centuries, the circle has attracted stories. Some say the stones were once part of pagan gatherings thousands of years ago, aligned with the turning of the seasons. Others note that animals sometimes seem unsettled near the circle, as though sensing something humans cannot. And there is a long-standing belief that the stones are difficult to number — each time you count them, you might arrive at a different total, as though they are determined to keep their own secret.

What is certain is that the circle has stood for millennia, its silent presence connecting today’s visitors with the lives of people long gone. On bright days it is a place of stillness, and on misty evenings it seems to hum with memory. However you encounter it, the stone circle offers a glimpse into an ancient world, where ritual, landscape and legend were woven together.

This October, as Halloween approaches, the stone circle feels especially alive with atmosphere. The sweep of the autumn moon, the call of a nearby owl, and the rustle of leaves in the dark all add to its air of mystery. So when you come to explore Tumblestone Hollow’s Halloween trail, take a moment to wander to the stone circle nestled towards the start of the trail (next to Challenge Number 2). Let its history and mystery settle around you. Perhaps you’ll sense the same wonder that drew people here thousands of years ago — watching the same harvest moon rise over the hills.

Magical Mayhem at Tumblestone Hollow is a family Halloween adventure taking place on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October, and daily from Saturday 25th October through to Sunday 2nd November, 9.30am – 5.30pm. Families can enjoy the Trail of Mischief, pumpkin carving, broomstick races, delicious wood-fired pizzas, traditional toffee apples and the enchanting adventure playground of Tumblestone Hollow.

Find out more and book your Halloween tickets here: Magical Mayhem at Tumblestone Hollow

Sources & Inspirations

• Information about the stone circle from the Stonor Park website — sarsens and puddingstones, geological origins. (com)
• Dark Oxfordshire — references to animal behaviour and folklore around the circle (co.uk)
• Historic Houses — describing the stone circle as one of the estate’s oldest resident features. (org)
• Country Life — suggestion that pagan gatherings may have happened around 5,000 years ago. (co.uk)