Three-quarters of a mile north of the village of Duddo, Northumberland stands the remains of a Neolithic/Bronze-Age monument. A small stone circle over 4,000 years old, ‘The Duddo Stones’, also known by other names including, ‘The Singing Stones’ and ‘The Women’. They are currently under the ownership of English Heritage and are located on private land.
This group of standing stones is well worth a visit. The farmer who owns the land allows people to visit, but you must stay on the rough ground allocated to reach the site. As there is no car park, please be careful to park on the verge. It is also really important to remember to close the field gate before setting out on your way up to the monument where the stones stand like a group of giant rotting teeth, set on a green circle of a low hill, surrounded by the farmer’s crops. The walk can be difficult; the ground is hard and uneven as the farmer has left the access area unploughed
When you eventually stand in front of the five stones you start to study their size and shape and think, “What will I do now, stand beside each one, touch the weathered sandstone, walk around the outside or the inside of the circle first?”
The wind is prone to sweep up and the atmosphere changes. Most times there are no other people around and when you look across the dramatic scenery you see the impressive Cheviots standing in the distance and know that the Scottish border lies only a few miles away.
The stones are made of local sandstone and vary in size and shape. Weathered into strange shapes by the Northumbrian rain and snow of thousands of years. Run your hand over the deep grooves and wonder, “Have many others done the same?”
Several large bowl shaped hollows are on one of the stones, they could be either man-made or natural. It is strangely quieter when I pressed my ear against one stone, foolishly listening as if it will choose me to tell its secrets to, only to realise that all I am doing is blocking out some of the wind noise.
Wandering around, weaving in and out of the monolith, while all the time knowing that the builders of this circle must have known exactly what they were doing when they chose this spot for this fine spectacle but their reasons are lost to me. Could its purpose have been a Prehistoric burial place of a notable person, a sacred place, or used for rituals? Who knows?
Many historians and archaeologists have researched and excavated the site over the years and some reports claim that there would have been seven standing stones at one time:
Robert Carr found and explored a pit in the centre of the circle in 1890 and found it contained charcoal and bone fragments, which seems to indicate a cremation burial. Antiquarian Canon James Raine, in 1852, suggested there had also been an outer circle. Some say that The Duddo Stones are aligned with the Winter solstice.
After being up on the knoll with them for a while, I reluctantly left to once more pick my way back to the car. I know that the only one solid fact that I can be certain of, is that these five stones have and will still be standing in Northumberland longer than I ever will.
Is it possible for someone to email this article, photos and any other information about the Duddo Stones so it could be used in schools. Thank you.
Hello, I have contacted the colleague who wrote the blog and will get back to you as soon as possible.
There is also some great information and photos on here too.
https://fabulousnorth.com/place/view/duddo-stones/
There appears to be several small roads arround the stone. Which is the one were the pathway is please.
Hello, I will check with the author of the blog & post a reply as soon as possible.
Hello, the stones stand at the top of a small hill in the middle of a farmer’s field. Park with care onto the verge of the small country lane near to the gate that leads into the field. It is no easy task to walk along the uneven rough track on the right-hand side next to a small hedge. This ‘path’ does eventually lead right around the field. Tread carefully. The space between the far fence behind the stones is a shorter route to get to them without plodding over the already planted field.
In the drier months, you will see a well-worn path that other folk use to access the stones. The stones are well worth a visit in all seasons!
Lastly, take something to sit on as this is a place of contemplation and you will need a rest once you are there. Also, there is a permissible path that leads straight up to them but it may not be seen in this weather.