Coate Stone Circle

Coate Stone Circle

The Coate Stone Circle, located near the hamlet of Coate on the southeastern edge of Swindon in Wiltshire, England, is a prehistoric monument that offers a glimpse into the area's ancient past. This stone circle, also known as the Day House Lane Stone Circle, is situated on a flat clay plain at the foot of the chalk escarpment, making it intervisible with numerous prehistoric monuments located on the Ridgeway. (historicengland.org.uk)

The monument comprises five recumbent sarsen stones arranged in an approximate semicircle in the field to the east of Day House Lane. Historically, the circle was more extensive, with records indicating that it originally had a diameter of approximately 92 meters and possibly contained over thirty stones. However, many of these stones have been removed or destroyed over time, leaving only the five visible stones today. (historicengland.org.uk)

The earliest known reference to the site was made by the local writer Richard Jefferies in the 1860s. In the 1890s, antiquarian A.D. Passmore investigated the site and found nine stones, mostly buried. He noted that the stones varied in size, with some measuring up to 9.5 feet in length. Passmore also observed that the circle was bisected by Day House Lane, with the intact remains of the circle on the eastern side and the vanished half on the western side. (themodernantiquarian.com)

The Coate Stone Circle is a scheduled monument, which means it is legally protected due to its historical significance. The site is situated on private land, and access may be restricted. Visitors are advised to respect private property and local regulations when exploring the area. (historicengland.org.uk)

The stone circle is part of a broader landscape rich in prehistoric monuments. For instance, the nearby Coate Water Country Park is known to have Bronze Age, Romano-British, and Medieval history spanning up to about 3,000 years. The area also features other ancient monuments, including Neolithic stone circles and Bronze Age burial mounds along Day House Lane. (themodernantiquarian.com)

The Coate Stone Circle offers a fascinating insight into the prehistoric landscape of Wiltshire. Its location near other significant monuments, such as Liddington Castle and the Ridgeway, suggests that it was part of a network of ceremonial sites. While much of its original structure has been lost, the remaining stones continue to evoke a sense of the area's ancient heritage.