Monument record MWX827 - Studland Circles, Studland Heath, Studland

Earthworks and stone structures, some forming circles, identified on South Haven Peninsula. The area of circular earthworks of uncertain date was recorded during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

A group of seventy-one enigmatic circles (for six similar circles at SZ 021843 see SZ 08 SW 51) occur on the heath of south Haven peninsula, west of the ferry road. Most have single banks about 1ft high and 9ft- 27ft across forming rather irregular circles; the interiors are slightly dished but are almost all horizontal. Diameters between the crests vary from 36ft - 125ft and ten circles have narrow gaps in them. One or two circles with relatively deep interiors may have been ponds but the function and date of the remainder is unknown. The group is associated with thirteen low sandy mounds but these have also defied explanation and in the centre of the peninsula is a straight line of five regularly placed stones (shown on OS 6 1963), originally standing upright, with a sixth to the north west of the line. Plan. (1) Seen on a 1970s AP. (4)

The circular enclosures described above (in 1-5) were recorded during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset). They are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs over an area measuring approximately 875 m by 260 m. The earthworks are formed of shallow circular depressions, some with a surrounding narrow bank. The enclosures appear to overlap each other and some are only visible as semi-circular banks. They measure between approximately 12 m and 42 m in diameter. (6-7) The date and function of the circular depressions or enclosures is unclear but excavation work carried out on one of the circles in 2009 suggested that they may be post medieval in origin. (8)

<1> Bowen, H C and Fowler, P J, 1963, Earthwork Circles and Mounds on Studland Heath, Dorset, p220-3 (Article in serial). SWX3353.

<2> Royal Air Force, 09-MAY-1952, RAF 540/723 5040-1 (Aerial Photograph). SWX8221.

<3> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 6385-1 (Aerial Photograph). SWX8220.

<4> Anon, 1970s APs, AP70_402000E_86000N (Digital archive). SWX8820.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3 (Monograph). SDO150.

<6> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 6387-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12672.

<7> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 6386-7 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12671.

<8> Poole Harbour Heritage Project, 2009?, The Studland Circles (Digital archive). SDO12821.

<9> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, AF0619319 Studland Heath, Poole Harbour (Excavation archive). SDO20141.

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01772 (Index). SDO14738.

SMALL CIRCLE FROM WEST. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<11> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01773 (Index). SDO14738.

CIRCLE J FROM SOUTH. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<12> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01774 (Index). SDO14738.

CIRCLE 12 OR K. EXCAVATION FROM SOUTH SHOWING WATER. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<13> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01775 (Index). SDO14738.

EXCAVATION OF CIRCLE 12 OR K. NORTH-WEST QUADRANT, EASTERN HALF CLEARED TO SOUTH (FROM CENTRE). Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<14> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01777 (Index). SDO14738.

EXCAVATION OF CIRCLE 12 OR K. SOUTH-EAST QUADRANT, NORTHERN SECTION FROM EAST. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<15> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01778 (Index). SDO14738.

EXCAVATION OF CIRCLE 12 OR K. NORTH-WEST QUADRANT, SOUTHERN SECTION FROM NORTH. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<16> Historic England, Historic England Archive, CC72/01469 (Index). SDO14738.

CIRCLE 7 FROM THE NORTH. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<17> Historic England, Historic England Archive, CC72/01470 (Index). SDO14738.

CIRCLE M AND MOUNDS FROM THE SOUTH. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<18> Historic England, Historic England Archive, CC72/01471 (Index). SDO14738.

GENERAL VIEW OF MOUNDS LOOKING SOUTH-EAST. ASSOCIATED WITH EARTHWORK CIRCLES. Photographer: UNKNOWNDonor: UNKNOWNCopyright: UNKNOWN

<19> Historic England, Historic England Archive, CC72/01473 (Index). SDO14738.

PLAN SHOWING 71 CIRCLES OF UNKNOWN DATE AND PURPOSE ALTHOUGH SOME MAY HAVE BEEN PONDS. FIVE STONES, ORIGINALLY STANDING ARE LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE PENINSULA

<20> Historic England, Historic England Archive, CC72/01474 (Index). SDO14738.

PLAN OF CIRCLE 12 OR K. UNKNOWN DATE AND PURPOSE

<21> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457518 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 15 2023 12:19PM