Druid’s Altar

  • Home
  • •
  • Druid’s Altar
Historical Environment Record No:
MYD4080
Parish:
Bordley
OS Grid Reference:
SD949653
Dale:
Upper Wharfedale
Related to:

Timeline

Themes

Description

Druid's Altar, Bordley MYD4080 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Druid’s Altar, Bordley MYD4080 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Bordley Circle, or Druid’s Altar as it is known locally is probably a ‘Four Poster’ type of stone circle and dates to the Bronze Age. It consists of a circular bank 15 metres in diameter, 2.7 metres wide and about a metre high. The bank was originally set with upright stones of which only three survive. The structure has also been interpreted as a small chambered tomb in a round cairn with a crescentic façade.

View of Druid's Altar, Bordley MYD4080 (c) YDNPA, 2023

View of Druid’s Altar, Bordley MYD4080 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Source:

Feather, S W & Manby, T G (1970) ‘Prehistoric Chambered Tombs of the Pennines’ Yorkshire Archaeological Journal. Vol 42 p396-397

Raistrick, Arthur (1929) ‘The Bronze Age in west Yorkshire’ Yorkshire Archaeological Journal. Vol 29 pp354-365

Location

From Threshfield, take Skirethorns Lane. After 1/2 mile, lane takes a sharp right. Continue uphill for nearly 2 miles to a metal gate. Site can be viewed 200 metres ahead on left side of field wall running due west.

Public Transport Details

Nearest town/village: Threshfield. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 to plan your journey. After the welcome message key in 885 for North Yorkshire information.

Accessibility

Viewable from lane end by the gate, but note that although the lane is tarmaced it is narrow and steep with few passing places.