Arthur’s Stone is a Neolithic tomb located not far from Hay-on-Wye. It dates from somewhere around 3,700 BC – 2,700 BC. It has incredible views over both the Golden Valley and the Wye Valley in Herefordshire.
The road (Arthur’s Stone Lane) dissects what would originally have been the site of the tomb’s elongated mound. The tomb itself is topped by a large capstone estimated to weigh more than 25 tonnes. The capstone rests on nine uprights and there is a curved, 4.6 metre long entrance passageway.To the north, there was once a cup-marked stone called the Quoit Stone
There are sites all over England that are linked to Arthurian legend. And this is no different. Some tales suggest the tomb was built to mark the location of one of King Arthur’s battles, while others tell that the stones were already present when Arthur slew a giant on the spot, who fell onto the stones and left indentations in one of them, which remain to this day. Others suggest the indentations on the Quoit Stone were left by Arthur’s knees or elbows as he knelt there to pray.
The stone served as the site of a duel during the War of the Roses and King Charles I once dined on the stone in the 1600s. Up until the mid 19th century, the stone served as a celebration spot.
However, my absolute favourite fact about Arthur’s Stone is that it is the inspiration for CS Lewis’ Stone Table in ‘The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe’ upon which Aslan is famously slain.
Entrance is free and you can spend about 10 minutes carefully examining the whole thing.
To get there, just enter the address: Arthur’s Stone Ln, Dorstone, Hereford HR3 6AX
However, the single track road leading to the stone is very narrow, graveled and winding.
Do you have a favourite Arthurian legend?
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the Cotswolds
Forbidden Corner
Hadrian’s Wall
Hastings Castle
Hastings Old Town
Haworth
Hebden Bridge
Hever Castle
Knaresborough & Mother Shipton’s Cave
Stonehenge
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