周辺の天然記念物・トップ5

No one really knows how it was named - possibly it resembles a hawk (?) or it is derived from the old English word 'hoare' meaning old or ancient, but it is all guesswork. Local legend has it that witches were chained to the holes in the top and burned to death but there is no evidence of this. Do not put coins in the natural pitts in the stone it increases erosion and damages the stone.

On the wooden path, supporting you during the floods, you can find two observation points (small huts), in one there are binoculars.

Neolithic stone circle from around 2900-2600BC - a remarkable site to visit.

554 acres (224 ha) of glorious parkland await at Blenheim Park, which occupies most of Blenheim Palaces' grounds. The park is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the habitats it supports. Whilst you have to pay to enter the palace and formal gardens, the park's many footpaths are free to enter. You can take a stroll by the lake, explore the woodland areas, or find a tranquil spot for a picnic.

Neolithic stone circle from around 2900-2600BC - a remarkable site to visit. You can learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npAxEvruu9M

The Devil's Quoits is a reconstructed stone circle henge, originally dating from the late Neolithic period, probably around 2900-2600BC. The large site with a 115m diameter earth bank, internal 2m deep ditch and 75m diameter stone circle is likely to have been of great significance and will have been visible from the Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road. The stone circle consisted of 28 conglomerate stones, with one additional stone standing slightly offset to the south. It is a truly remarkable site; transporting you back to a time where people travelled along the Windrush Valley from its headwaters to its confluence with the Thames at Devil's Quoits and further downstream to the Big Rings at Dorchester on the Thames. Many hundreds of people would have gathered within the site, observing from the banks and participating in rituals in the centre.

Free access to the park is available via Park Rd (51.8401582,-1.384567). Free parking is also available near this entrance.