Situated on the northern slopes of Belstone Common, on a part called Watchet Hill
Nine Maidens stone circle, also known as Nine stones and also Seventeen Brothers, is the remains of a cairn circle. Now consisting of 16 stones, the 17th one has been uprooted and placed outside the circle. The main slab measures 1.75 meters (6 feet) has fallen over.
The name Nine Maidens, is used by other stone circles around the country (
Boskednan Stone Circle in Cornwall is another), and relates to a legend about a group of girls who danced on a Sunday, which as the Sabbath day was considered sinful, and so as a divine punishment were turned to stone. Obviously ignoring the fact, that there arn't nine stones in this example.
