Duloe Stone Circle is an oval ring of white quartz stones at the southern end of Duloe village, between Liskeard and Looe. If you’re planning a trip from Polperro, the circle’s unusual stones and recorded history make it a distinctive stop in the Cornish countryside.
- Location: Duloe, PL14 4PN, on the southern edge of the village.
- What you’ll see: Eight white quartz stones, with seven still upright.
- Setting: A field on the upper slopes of a ridge between the West Looe and East Looe Rivers.
- Management: Cornwall Heritage Trust manages the site on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The House on the Props is a hotel in Polperro, and Duloe is a local excursion from the village.
What makes Duloe Stone Circle distinctive
Duloe Stone Circle stands out for its white quartz stones and compact oval shape. Cornwall Heritage Trust describes it as Cornwall’s smallest stone circle and says its stones are unique among Cornish circles.
The ring measures 11.7m long by 10.2m wide. Its stones range from 1.0m to 2.4m in height, and the four largest sit approximately at the north, south, east and west points. Those largest stones may weigh up to 9 tons; calculations suggest around 35 people would have been needed to move and raise them.
The circle was first recorded in 1801, when Britton and Brayley described it as a small Druidical circle near Duloe church. A hedge once cut through the ring.
It was removed in 1858, and three stones were re-erected in 1863. A Bronze Age urn containing cremated human bones was found somewhere on the site shortly after the hedge’s removal, though the precise location is uncertain.
Historic England lists the monument as a Scheduled Monument. Its setting on the upper slopes of a ridge places it on the watershed between the West Looe and East Looe Rivers.
How do you get from Polperro to Duloe?
Duloe Stone Circle is in Duloe village, between Liskeard and Looe; the address is Duloe, PL14 4PN. The No. 73 bus service connects Liskeard, Duloe, Looe and Polperro, offering a public-transport link between the villages.
Services and seasonal arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go. Confirm the route and current timetable with the bus operator before setting out. The National Grid Reference for the monument is SX 23586 58309, which can help you identify the location when planning your journey.
If you’re arranging the wider trip, this guide to Polperro’s harbour, lanes and village centre gives context for the village at either end of the excursion.
Access, site conditions and visitor etiquette
The circle is in a field on the southern edge of Duloe village, so you’ll see it in an open landscape rather than in a built-up setting. Cornwall Heritage Trust manages the monument on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall.
As a scheduled monument, the site is protected for its historic significance. Keep to appropriate access routes and avoid disturbing the stones or surrounding ground. Check current access arrangements with Cornwall Heritage Trust before your visit.
For air travel into the region, Newquay Cornwall Airport is about 72 minutes by car from House on the Props. The route from the airport is separate from the trip to Duloe, so check that journey as well when planning your transport.
Planning a short visit around the stone circle
The circle itself gives you a focused stop: take time to look at the oval layout, compare the upright stones and notice how the four largest mark approximate compass points. The field setting and ridge position add context to the site without requiring a long list of separate attractions.
You can make the circle part of a journey linking Polperro, Looe and Liskeard, which are connected by the No. 73 bus service through Duloe. If you’re travelling from Polperro, check transport arrangements before choosing how much time to allow; service patterns can vary.
For a separate arrival-planning question, the guide to getting from Newquay Cornwall Airport to Polperro covers that leg of a trip.
FAQs
How many stones are at Duloe Stone Circle?
The oval ring contains eight white quartz stones, seven of which remain upright.
Where is Duloe Stone Circle?
It is at the southern end of Duloe village, between Liskeard and Looe. The address is Duloe, PL14 4PN.
What makes the stones unusual?
The circle’s white quartz stones are unique among Cornish circles, according to Cornwall Heritage Trust. The four largest may weigh up to 9 tons.
Can you travel from Polperro to Duloe by bus?
The No. 73 service connects Polperro with Duloe, as well as Looe and Liskeard. Check the operator’s current timetable and seasonal arrangements before travelling.