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Stanton Drew – An Unknown Cosmic Temple By Sue Walker Many of us, unbalanced by the overwhelming incursion of the technological age, seek to redress this by going back to the Earth in some way, either by such interests as gardening, or connecting more to the landscape, in particular to places with a sacred past. While there are many famous sacred sites in the United Kingdom, many others are available to visit and explore. Just six miles south of Bristol, England lies the 4000-year-old sacred site at Stanton Drew. There are the remains of three stone circles, a Cove and a nearby solitary stone named Hauteville's Quoit. The circles are placed just south of the meandering River Chew. Maes Knoll, an Iron Age fort, holds a commanding position to the North. The peaceful setting is striking, only slightly disturbed by grazing sheep who ruminate lazily, unaware of their unique environment. The only other activity comes from a solitary raven, which is surveying the scene like a sentinel on an upright stone. William Stukeley, who also explored Stonehenge and Avebury, studied the Stanton Drew site in 1723. He named the three circles the Solar Temple, the Planetary Temple, and the Lunar Temple. Although this implies an astronomical meaning of the circles, I have yet to find out if he discovered significant alignments. The circles lie on significant ley-lines including a major one from Glastonbury, another from Burrowbridge Mump, and one from Cadbury Castle, the possible home of King Arthur. Whatever the site was used for, the residual energy is uplifting. I felt great joy in the Planetary Temple, although it was difficult to put it into words – I found I didn't want to leave. There is a healing energy here that can be drawn from, and at the same time I wish to give something back, instinctively blessing the place. I think many of us have a yearning for a deeper meaning in our often-mundane lives. Connecting to such a place, which was built when people were completely attuned to the land and the sky, gives an insight into this. Map reference for Stanton Drew: ST601634 (metric map 172, 1" map 166). It lies just south of the B3130. The following references include more about Stanton Drew. This site takes you to the English Heritage Ancient Monuments Laboratory, which has the 1997 geo-physical results that are astounding. They show Stanton Drew to be much more archaeologically significant than previously thought. It also includes photos of Stanton Drew, and links to many other megalithic sites. Leslie Grinsell 'Prehistoric Sites in the Mendip, South Cotswold, Wye Valley and Bristol Region'. Bristol Archaeological Research Group. Leslie Grinsell 'The Megalithic Site of Stanton Drew'. BAARG (see below- Bob Williams). Janet and Colin Bord 'A Guide to Ancient Sites in Britain' 1978. Paladin. A.T.Mann 'Sacred Architecture'. 1993. Element. Especially the chapter on Earth Magic. Hamish Miller and Paul Broadhurst 'The Sun and the Serpent'. 1989.Pendragon. This is about the St.Michael and St. Mary ley-lines. I am indebted to Bob Williams for lending me his work on John Aubrey, and for his papers for the Bristol and Avon Archaeological Research Group. I would also like to credit Palden Jenkins, whose map, 'A Map of the Ancient Landscape Around Glastonbury', showed the ley-lines going to Stanton Drew. This map was given to me, so I don't know if it is in print. About Sue Walker: Sue is a mother, astrologer and artist, with a longstanding and deep interest in sacred places. She lives in Somerset, England, with her two children. Sue can be contacted at: sue.e.walker@LineOne.net
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