Last Updated on 28th June 2025
The Hurlers Stone Circles is a magical and mystical site of historical and archaeological importance.
At the eastern side of Bodmin Moor is the village of Minions – Cornish: Menyon. It is nestled between Caradon Hill to its east and an expanse of imponderable moorland of cairns, barrows and tumuli to its west.
Just a short walk NW of the car park at the south end of the village are three ancient stone circles, known as the Hurlers. Legend has it that some local men were playing the Cornish game of hurling on Sabbath Day, and were turned to stone by Saint Cleer. A little to the west are the Pipers: two close upright stones. These were said to be the remains of two men piping tunes on the same day, who suffered the same fate.
The stone circles attract many visitors, and for many reasons. Dowsers visit to feel the energy that is said to run through the area. Many visitors wander around the site just to see them and be amongst them. They may sit a while, for no other reason than to absorb the tranquillity, sights and sounds of the moorland and ancient surroundings.
The History of the Hurlers Stone Circles
The Hurlers are a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age structure dating back to approximately 1500BC. The reason they were erected is one of the many mysteries of this fascinating part of Bodmin Moor.
Being of their age, the Hurlers stone circles are unique in that there are three ancient circles in close proximity. They were excavated in the 1930s. Drawing a line through them they run from north-north-east to the south-south-west. A short distance to the west of the circles are the Pipers: two close, taller upright stones that look to be a an entrance. The two uprights are aligned west-south-west to east-north-east
Many of the stones have survived, especially the middle circle. When they were excavated, along with the stones you see today, there were also holes in the ground – evidence of stones that had been removed. These holes were filled with flat marker stones.
The Hurlers have stood the test of time and the harsh conditions of Bodmin Moor. Alas, a few have toppled – not quite up to being a cattle body scratching post.
The Hurlers predate Christianity and were of the local civilisation and pagan beliefs and rituals. Pagan or paganism are words used to describe the many religions and sub-culture beliefs that predated Christianity. Unfortunately, Christian beliefs were somewhat dictatorial and much prior knowledge, and many rituals and beliefs were wiped out.
We can speculate that the stone circles were erected as an important marker and ritualistic place of importance for the societies that once dwelled near this location or travelled through it.
The Alignment of the Hurlers
An aerial view of the Hurlers stone circles reveals that they are not in a straight alignment with one another.
The northern two circles once had a granite path linking them. The axis of these two circles aligns with Rillaton Barrow, just 200m NE, which had been excavated in 1837. It’s another important archaeological find comprising of an ancient inhumation or burial site. Along with other artifacts interned with the body, was what is now known as the Rillaton Gold Cup, a Neolithic gold decorated beaker with riveted handles dated 2700BC. That holy grail was found!
The two southern circles align with the Minions Mound tumulus on Craddock Moor, another ancient burial site. Today, the Mound comprises of a horseshoe shaped low, grass-covered wall. The Mound has never been excavated.
The Pipers appear to resemble some sort of gateway or portal. Perhaps they were part of a boundary construction enabling access to the Hurlers’ site. On the Ordnance Survey map of the area, there appears to be a stepping stone trail leading from the Minions car park and passing very near to the Pipers, out NW to a disused quarry. These granite flat stones were likely part of a rail track during the 1800s. Whether there were associations with the Piper stones is yet another unknown.
There is a great deal more information of the Hurlers, Pipers and nearby burial sites on the Historic England site.
Were these alignments purposeful? Who knows for sure! Why do the axis align to just these two ancient burial sites and not other barrows, cairns, and stone rows scattered over the same area of moorland? There are other myths that come into play…
A Trade Route
To the east is the River Lynher, and to the west, the River Fowey. Ancient stone circles and other monuments are often found between two rivers and may have been a traveller or trade route to transport people, produce and minerals.
There is a public footpath route from Plushabridge on the Lynher to the Hurlers. However, the route to the River Fowey looks around the same distance, until you realise that Golitha Falls on the Fowey are not navigable. Maybe thousands of years ago, south of Golitha, at Ashford Bridge, may have been passable with small boats. The walking distance from river to river would total around 8.5 miles, so a stop-off at the Hurlers would have been a welcome break.
Astronomical & Dating Associations
There are some that believe the stones were erected to align with the Orion constellation at Winter Solstice. The image below was taken from the Online Planetarium. The date is set to the 21st December 2025 and the direction is south-south-west (the general direction of the axis of the three circles). Orion appears to be aligned. However, thousands of years have passed and the Earth’s axis will have shifted slightly (axial precession). Today’s view cannot be used as conclusive evidence.
It is also said that the Pipers may have astronomical connections. I use the Photo Pills app on my phone to plan sunrises and sunsets. At the dawn of the Winter Solstice, look through the two upright stones from their north side, as though they are a framed portal. You will see the sunrise and, if you hang around until dusk, you’ll also see the sunset. Again though, this is merely speculative evidence and if they were facing some other direction, I could probably find another astronomical coincidence. Although, this would make for a rather nice photo.
Ancient Beliefs and Rituals
There are many people that still support ancient beliefs and rituals. Summer and Winter Solstices are examples of when these people amass at sites like the Hurlers all over the UK and the world. We hear of white witches, druids, paganists, and more. They are at one with nature and the energies of the land. In many respects, they are continuing the very reason that the stone circles and other monuments may have been erected thousands of years ago.
Walks on Minions Moor
I’ve been visiting this area of Bodmin Moor (I call it Minions Moor) for almost five decades. It always draws me back. There are many walks in this area. For example, here is one I wrote up: Walk Minions Moor to Twelve Mens Moor. This walk incorporates the Hurlers and the Cheesewring natural stone structure, north of the stone circles. The route goes further north to Twelve Men’s Moor. It could be reduced to a bimble by circling around from the Cheesewring and back along the disused railway to Minions village.
With the free car park, and just a short walk to the Hurlers, this is a great location to visit. There is a rough path that runs alongside the Hurlers. It may be passable for wheelchair users (those fitted with larger or rough terrain wheels). I’m a great believer in ‘access for all’ for sites like the Hurlers, where so much is packed into a relatively small area of land.
