Yockenthwaite
Bronze Age Stone Circle
Northwest of Kettlewell, North Yorkshire OS
Map Ref SD899794
![]() Yockenthwaite circle looking southwest. The river is just beyond the wall and line of dead bracken. |
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This
is a lovely little ring of stones that is probably a small stone
circle although it could be the kerb remains of a ring
cairn. Whichever, it's in a fantastic position on the north bank of the fledgling
River Wharf, a river that was so important to the prehistoric peoples of Yorkshire.
At this point in it's journey the river is passing through the narrow valley of
Langstrothdale with the hills of Yockenthwaite Moor to the north and Horse Head
Moor to the south, a lovely spot that gives the circle the air of a small camp.
The circle itself consists of about 24 stones in a slight oval measuring 7 metres
by 6.5 metres with what could be the remains of an outer circle in the northwest
quadrant and a possible outlying
boulder about 6 metres to the southeast, there are a couple of other questionable
outlying stones further away to the west. The largest stone in the circle seems
to be the one closest to the river, could it be that this position was important
to the people who built Yockenthwaite? Glossary Item: Bronze Age |