Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Cornwall The Merry Maidens

The Merry Maidens

Perhaps the only prehistoric monument with its very own public bus stop.

Cornwall, England

Added By
Martha Vandrei
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The Merry Maidens stone circle in Cornwall   Jim Champion/CC BY-SA 3.0
Merry Maidens stone circle.   Public Domain
Inviting, isn’t it?   Public Domain
Dancing to the end of time   Andrew Bone
Still dancing…   Public Domain
The Merry Maidens   Row17
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Most everyone is aware of England's usual prehistoric suspects, Stonehenge and Avebury. And yes, they are certainly majestic (if you don't mind the tour groups and flash photography). But there is something special about the lesser known monoliths that can be found off the beaten path.

Southern England's most impressive, less travelled prehistoric sites are undoubtedly those found in the antique landscape of Cornwall. And the Merry Maidens neolithic stone circle is right up there with the finest.

Sure, the stones are no where near as large as Stonehenge or Avebury, and there isn't a fridge magnet in sight. But the Merry Maidens does boast its very own bus stop (called simply 'The Merry Maidens"), served by the number 1 bus from Penzance. Which means it is accessible for those without cars, and yet inaccessible enough to escape the seething hordes drawn by its larger easterly counterparts, even at the height of Cornwall's bustling tourist season.

The local legend is that the monoliths were formed when 19 young maidens were turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday. The site is also known as Dans Maen (or the butchered version, "Dawns Men") from the Cornish term for "Stone Dance."

Yet the Merry Maidens site also feels... well, merry. Even for those disinclined to neo-paganism or spiritual healing, a sunny summer evening spent amongst these 19 happy ladies feels somehow restorative, like good things went on here in distant antiquity and continue to do so today. While Stonehenge inspires a sense of sublime awe, the Merry Maidens, in their modest, simple way, seem to be inviting you to join in a dance that's been going on since before history began.

Related Tags

Prehistoric Rocks History Ancient Legends Megalithic Geology

Know Before You Go

The Merry Maidens bus stop is directly next to the site. There is also a car park and a number of footpaths. Down the road is an ancient grave; it is well sign-posted and well worth a visit. There are also various standing stones and ancient Celtic crosses in the area, all marked on OS maps.

Community Contributors

Added By

DrMV and ProfPR

Edited By

Meg, vdmkent03

  • Meg
  • vdmkent03

Published

October 23, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/a2m/bronze_age/stone_circle/merry_maidens/merry_maidens.htm
The Merry Maidens
B3315
Cornwall, England
United Kingdom
50.06513, -5.588725
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Logan Rock of Treen

Cornwall, England

miles away

The Old Quay, Newlyn

Newlyn, England

miles away

Minack Theatre

Cornwall, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cornwall

Cornwall

England

Places 20
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Logan Rock of Treen

Cornwall, England

miles away

The Old Quay, Newlyn

Newlyn, England

miles away

Minack Theatre

Cornwall, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cornwall

Cornwall

England

Places 20
Stories 7

Related Places

  • The circular structure of houses.

    Alaior, Spain

    Torre d'en Galmes

    This remarkable prehistoric town is full of watchtowers and houses that have withstood thousands of years.

  • Smaller giraffe and other animal petroglyphs at Dabous.

    Niger

    Dabous Giraffes

    These ancient giraffes are the largest known animal petroglyphs in the world.

  • Beheading Stone.

    Stirling, Scotland

    Beheading Stone

    Legend says this rock was once a chopping block for public executions.

  • Inyo County, California

    Coso Rock Art District

    A mountain range on an active U.S. Navy base hides thousands of mysterious prehistoric rock carvings.

  • Bradford House II

    Littleton, Colorado

    Bradford House II

    A prehistoric rock shelter that's literally in someone's backyard.

  • Naturalistic rock art example.

    Kasama, Zambia

    Mwela Rock Art Paintings

    One of the largest concentrations of rock paintings in Southern Africa.

  • Petroglyphs visible on Haleets Rock.

    Bainbridge Island, Washington

    Haleets Rock

    Mysterious ancient petroglyphs carved on a glacial boulder at the tip of Bainbridge Island.

  • A pictograph at Bear Gulch.

    Forest Grove, Montana

    Bear Gulch Pictographs

    A scenic ravine with an astounding collection of rock art created by the Indigenous people of the Great Plains.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.