The Wansdyke & District Forums

So we finally moved in, and clearing the bottom of the garden i found a proper big stone, half buried, maybe four foot of it showing and who knows how much under. The previous owners had a compost heap against it. Is this... something? Im trying not to get too excited but this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. Pics when i can get the brambles off it.

Easy now. Nine times in ten it is a sarsen, a natural stone, dragged to the field edge or garden boundary by some earlier occupier precisely because it was in the way. They are all over this country. That does not make it nothing, mind: a sarsen used as a boundary marker or a rubbing stone can be centuries old in its placing even if the stone itself is natural. Photograph it in the ground before you touch it, please, and do not move it.

Trevor is right, do not move it. Get a photo with something for scale and tell me the parish, and I will have a look. Most garden standing stones are re-used sarsens, gateposts or staddle stones, but occasionally something turns up that is genuinely placed. Either way it is a lovely thing to have at the bottom of the garden. Welcome to the county, where the past comes up through the lawn.

the past comes up through the lawn, that is going on a sign by the back door. ok i wont move it, photos this weekend. Reading never did this.

Welcome Dave! Do bring the photos to a society meeting if you fancy it, we are a friendly lot and we do love a mystery stone. You are properly a local now, you have your own megalith.

this forum is the best thing about moving here, honestly. photos incoming saturday.