I have just added this to the map of places to fly your drone at Drone Scene:
The Priddy Circles are a rare and enigmatic Neolithic monument (c. 3000–2500 BC) located on the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Unlike the stone-built Stonehenge, these four massive circular enclosures were originally constructed using earth banks and deep, steep-sided ditches cut into the limestone. Arranged in a slightly curved north-south line, their exact purpose remains a mystery, though their scale and linear alignment suggest a significant ritual or ceremonial function.
The main photograph captures the southern circles, highlighting how these ancient earthworks persist as subtle "ghosts" in the modern landscape. The low winter sun creates long shadows that emphasize the undulating banks and depressions that are largely invisible from the ground.
Circle 1 is the most southerly circle. It is about 194m in diameter. You can see the distinctive "ring" shape formed by the internal bank and external ditch.
Circle 2 is next to Circle 1 in the image. It is slightly smaller (185m) and remarkably well-defined. Notice how the modern field boundary bisects it almost perfectly.
Circle 3 This circle is visible just beyond Circle 2 in one of the accompanying photos. In the photo, it appears as a fainter, crescent-like shadow near the top cluster of trees.
Circle 4 (The "Missing" One): This circle is not visible in the shot. It lies about 350 meters further north (beyond the horizon of the main field in view), separated from the others by a gap that is actually bisected by a Roman road.
The shot captures the "external ditch"—a feature that makes Priddy unique. In a standard "Henge" (like Avebury), the ditch is inside the bank. At Priddy, the ditch is outside, much like the first phase of Stonehenge. This suggests the people who built these were part of a very specific, and perhaps earlier, architectural tradition.
I've included an AI "mock up" of what these would have looked like back in the day
The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 14/02/2026. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.
