Priddy Circles

Priddy Circles are four large earthwork enclosures on the Mendip Hills near Priddy in Somerset. They stand in a nearly straight line, with the fourth circle set apart to the north. The circles are Neolithic ritual sites, similar to henges, and are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. The land around the southernmost circle belongs to Roger Penny, a retired businessman. In 2012, Penny was fined after contractors damaged the earthwork while working on his property. The circles vary in size, with diameters between 185 and 194 metres. Each has a flat central area surrounded by a bank and ditch, with multiple entrances. Excavations in the 1950s by the University of Bristol Spelæological Society found stone cores and post holes in the banks. Geophysical surveys in the 1990s and 2000s have further explored their structure. Circle 1 has a surviving ditch up to 6 metres wide, while Circle 2 contains a possible barrow mound. Circle 4 is incomplete, with only two-thirds of its earthwork remaining. Visitors see grassy circular enclosures marked by low banks and shallow ditches. The northern circle lies near the B3135 road and a Roman road. The area around Priddy holds other ancient sites, including barrow cemeteries less than a kilometre away. The circles’ layout and features suggest they were used for ceremonial purposes in the Neolithic period. Damage in 2011 revealed the importance of natural cavities in the earthworks. The site offers a glimpse into prehistoric ritual landscapes.