The Folklore of Stanton Drew, Somerset: The Uncountable Stones. It’s said that anybody who tries to count the stones will fall ill or even die. This belief was recorded by John Wood in 1749. His own attempt was followed by a violent thunderstorm whi

The Folklore of Stanton Drew, Somerset: The Uncountable Stones. It’s said that anybody who tries to count the stones will fall ill or even die. This belief was recorded by John Wood in 1749. His own attempt was followed by a violent thunderstorm which the villagers attributed to his effort to count the stones. One story, related by Walter Thornbury in 1861, tells how a baker once placed loaves of bread on each stone to help him count. Every time he turned his back the loaves had mysteriously disappeared. Original photograph, digital illustration. Created for site interpretation at Stanton Drew. © English Heritage.

The Folklore of Stanton Drew, Somerset: The Uncountable Stones. Local legend says that at midnight on the sixth day after a full moon, the stones come alive and can be seen walking down to the river to take a drink. This is another piece of folklor

The Folklore of Stanton Drew, Somerset: The Uncountable Stones. Local legend says that at midnight on the sixth day after a full moon, the stones come alive and can be seen walking down to the river to take a drink. This is another piece of folklore collected by John Aubrey in 1664. Original photograph, digital illustration. Created for site interpretation at Stanton Drew. © English Heritage.

The Folklore of Stanton Drew, Somerset: The Wedding. Legend has it that the three stones of the Cove are a parson, bride and bridegroom turned to stone by the Devil, because their wedding guests danced on a Sunday. John Aubrey notes in 1664 that loca

The Folklore of Stanton Drew, Somerset: The Wedding. Legend has it that the three stones of the Cove are a parson, bride and bridegroom turned to stone by the Devil, because their wedding guests danced on a Sunday. John Aubrey notes in 1664 that local people called the stones ‘The Wedding’ and mentions individual stones called the Bride, the Parson’s Stone and the Cooke’s Stone. Original photograph, digital illustration. Created for site interpretation at Stanton Drew. © English Heritage.