Merry Maidens
Merry Maidens
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
One of England's best-preserved and complete ancient stone circles consisting of 19 granite stones that form a perfect circle nearly 78 feet in diameter.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
218 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
89
Average
30
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Monsieurslinky
Northamptonshire, UK256 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
As the legend goes, these stones were once dancing maidens, who were turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday.
You will have to use your imagination to picture what these ladies looked like, for they are now but grey lumbering masses.
The field in which they rest has a quiet calm and subtle eerieyness that lures you in. This is the kind of place where you can conjure up an image of an amber sunset while you dance naked around the stones, with the wheat brushing your feet. I did toy with this, but there was a slight westerly breeze which I fear would have put too many an off step in my dancing.
I recommend visiting if you are passing this way.
You will have to use your imagination to picture what these ladies looked like, for they are now but grey lumbering masses.
The field in which they rest has a quiet calm and subtle eerieyness that lures you in. This is the kind of place where you can conjure up an image of an amber sunset while you dance naked around the stones, with the wheat brushing your feet. I did toy with this, but there was a slight westerly breeze which I fear would have put too many an off step in my dancing.
I recommend visiting if you are passing this way.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken J
Vancouver, Canada72 contributions
May 2023
I love ancient sites. I have been to a few around Europe and North and Central America. Cuba too. What I really like about Merry Maidens is its simplicity, accessibility and the wonderment that occurs when you stand in the middle of that amazing place. It is easy to get to and when you leave, if you don't have any questions about how and why and when, then maybe Disneyland is a better visit for you. Anyone in the Penzance area should make Merry Maidens a stop - even if it is for a few minutes.
Written 25 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna R
10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
My two sons use PowerChairs and we didn’t have much hope of them being able to access the stone circle given other reviews. However, the gate to the side of the stone steps was unlocked and they were able to drive in and view/touch the stones up close. Very easy access via the gate near the bus stop and enough space to park for a large van / WAV. Wheelchair user. Disabled access. Parking. Accessibility.
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Wellingborough, UK801 contributions
Sept 2020
Merry Maidens sits in an ordinary field and can be accessed via a small layby at the side of the road.
The individual stones are of modest size (this is no Stone henge) but the circle is neat and complete and presents a very pleasing vista. Like much of ancient Cornwall, there is also a definite atmosphere evocative of a distant Celtic past - doubtless a product of sentiment and imagination but enjoyable none-the-less.
A free site to visit and well worth a brief stop at the roadside.
The individual stones are of modest size (this is no Stone henge) but the circle is neat and complete and presents a very pleasing vista. Like much of ancient Cornwall, there is also a definite atmosphere evocative of a distant Celtic past - doubtless a product of sentiment and imagination but enjoyable none-the-less.
A free site to visit and well worth a brief stop at the roadside.
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel H
Derbyshire, UK77 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
We stopped here en route from Sennen. We had heard that it was like a mini Stonehenge and worth visiting.
It is a series of stones in a large circle, dating back to the Neolithic era. As others have stated, it could do with a plaque or information board about the stones origins etc, as we didn't see one when we were there.
The "parking" is actually a layby that is also a bus stop, and the entrance to a farm. When we visited the weather was bad, and the layby was reduced to a quagmire of mud and water. The entrance was also very muddy, so definitely bring welly boots if you are visiting outside of the summer months!
It is a series of stones in a large circle, dating back to the Neolithic era. As others have stated, it could do with a plaque or information board about the stones origins etc, as we didn't see one when we were there.
The "parking" is actually a layby that is also a bus stop, and the entrance to a farm. When we visited the weather was bad, and the layby was reduced to a quagmire of mud and water. The entrance was also very muddy, so definitely bring welly boots if you are visiting outside of the summer months!
Written 13 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine61102361555
7 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Visited here this evening and it was breathtaking. These ancient stones stand in a field with easy access from a small carpark near the gate. There are hills as far as the eyes can see, stunning views. Sunset brings the whole area to life, it feels magical.
Written 1 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skiathosdreams
Calabasas, CA53 contributions
Mar 2020
we went on a very windy day after long rain, so was muddy, but well worth visiting. very picturesque. I would suggest a guide to drive you around due to small roads and many places hard to find.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin J
6 contributions
Jun 2021
Some signposting would have helped. Drove past it a couple of times before we spotted it in a field. It looked like the brown sign had fallen down. Only parking for 2-3 cars, but its never going to be busy. We only stopped as we were on route between Lands End & Mousehole, but its nice if you like standing stone circles. We visited on a misty rainy day which added to the atmosphere! Free to enter, free to park.
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deedee016
Market Bosworth, UK73 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Interesting place that really is a gem in the middle of absolutely no where! You have to keep your eyes open to ensure you don’t miss this little treat. We were the only ones there at dusk. The setting and back drop of the west Cornwall landscape really gave our visit a atmospheric feel to it. Quiet, unspoilt, surreal, not hordes of people, just perfect.
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zelly R
Hastings, UK28 contributions
Jun 2020
I was lucky enough to spend some time with The Merry Maidens on my own. I walked around the circle and imagined their past, who put them there, what happened there, who met and had walked this same pathway?
I love stones and rocks - and spiritual/sacred sites - so was immediately drawn to this place.
See if you feel drawn to visit too!
I love stones and rocks - and spiritual/sacred sites - so was immediately drawn to this place.
See if you feel drawn to visit too!
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would it be possible to access this site via bus from Penzance?
Written 3 May 2018
we had a car and didn't see any buses on this route as was very, very narrow.
Written 3 May 2018
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