The Hurlers 
Aerial view of the Hurlers and the Pipers (lower left). © Google Earth.
The center stone circle of the Hurlers, looking north.
Standing stone of the center circle of the Hurlers.
View from the center circle to the northermost circle.
The northernmost stone circle.
Standing stones of the northernmost circle.
The Pipers, which may be a boundary marker.
House in Minions village near the Hurlers.
The Hurlers are three stone circles in a line across the scenic landscape of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. They date from about 1500 BC and are named for the medieval legend that they were men turned to stone for hurling (a Celtic game) on Sunday.
History
The Hurlers date from the Bronze Age and were erected in about 1500 BC. As with virtually all prehistoric standing stones, their exact purpose is not known.
There are a number of multiple stone circles in southwest England, which are usually found on sites between rivers. This indicates it may have been for the use of traders and travellers.
The name "Hurlers" for the stone circles dates probably from the Middle Ages; it was recorded by the historian William Camden in 1610, who explained local "devout error" had it that they were men turned into stone for playing the Celtic game of hurling on Sunday.
What to See
The Hurlers consist of three stone circles in a line running NNE to SSW. They are strategically located on a high moorland pass between two hills (Stowe's Hill to the north and Caradon Hill to the south) and two rivers (the tributaries of the River Fowey to the west and the River Lynher on the east).
The southernmost stone circle is incomplete and difficult to see, but the other two have been restored. The stones in the circles have different shapes but are skillfully placed so they appear to be the same height. The central and the northern stone circles were once linked together by a granite pathway that ran through their central axis.
The central circle has an elliptical shape and is the largest of the three circles, with 14 stones measuring 41.8m x 40.5m (137x133') along its major and minor axis. The stones of this circle were smoothed by hammering, leaving quartz crystals spread over the interior of the central circle.
The fallen southernmost circle is also the smallest circle, made of nine stones and measuring 32.9m (105') in diameter. The northern circle is 34.7m (114') in diameter and currently has 15 stones, though four have fallen and there were originally 24 stones in total.
About 120m (320') west-southwest of the Hurlers are two standing stones called "The Pipers," spaced 2.1m (7') apart. The northern stone circle was crossed by a boundary bank so the Pipers could be boundary posts, although some scholars think they have an astronomical role. One is 1.7m (5' 5") tall, the other is 1.4m (4' 9").
| Names: | The Hurlers and the Pipers |
| Type of site: | Stone circle |
| Dates: | c.1500 BC (Bronze Age) |
| Location: | Minions village, near Liskeard town, Cornwall, England |
| Map Ref: | SX 258714 |
| Coordinates: | 50.516353° N, 4.458202° W |
| Hours: | Always open |
| Cost: | Free |
| Parking: | Free parking available |
| Facilities: | Public toilets nearby; pubs and inns available in Minions village |
Getting There
The Hurlers are on Bodmin Moor, next to the village of Minions and 4 miles north of the town of Liskeard. From Liskeard take the B3254 to Upton Cross, turn left at the crossroads towards Minions. Parking is available at the site and it is a short walk on uneven ground to the stone circles from there.
Map
Location map and satellite view of The Hurlers stone circles. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Cornwall Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Personal visit (July 22, 2007)
- Hurlers Stone Circles - Cornwall Heritage
- The Hurlers - The Megalithic Portal
