Quoit, which, to save time, should also be looked for on approaching the village. (Enter iron gate on L. a few hundred yards before reaching tollhouse, and search backwards along the hedge bordering road.) It is a large stone, which legend says was hurled by Sir J. Hautville (whose effigy is in Chew Magna Church) from the top of Maes Knoll.  The famous “druidical remains” will be found near the church.  About 50 yards from the entrance to the churchyard take a lane to the L. leading to an orchard:  the stones will be observed in the field beyond (admission free, but field closed on Sundays).  The “remains” consist of three contiguous circles.  The first is of considerable area, and is marked out by twelve large stones, only three of which remain upright; a smaller circle of eight stones lies just beyond; and a third circle of eight will be found farther away in an orchard on the R. The two larger circles have each a few scattered stones thrown off as a kind of avenue.  Standing apart from the circles is a curious group of three stones huddled together in a garden abutting on the churchyard, from which they can be easily seen by looking over the W. boundary wall.  These mystic rings probably had the same origin (whatever that may have been) as that of the more famous circle at Avebury in Wiltshire, with which they should be compared.  The proximity of Maes Knoll is comparable with that of Silbury Hill.  A ridiculous theory suggests that the monoliths were erected as a trophy after one of Arthur’s victories.  The country story is that a local wedding once took place on a Sunday, when the frivolous guests would insist on winding up with a dance.  The penalty for a “Sabbath” thus “profaned” was the prompt transformation of the bridal party into stone.  Hence the local appellation of “The fiddlers and the maids.”  The church is of very secondary interest:  there is nothing in it calling for detailed notice.  But the fine mediaeval rectory should be observed.  It stands near the bridge at the entrance of the village, and bears the arms of its builder, Bishop Beckington.  The farm near the church has an ecclesiastical-looking window and some carved finials.

Stanton Prior, a small and secluded village 6 m.  W.S.W. of Bath, situated at the bottom of a lane a little to the E. of the Wells and Keynsham Road.  The church contains on N. wall a quaint memorial to some member of the Cox family (1644-50).  Some figures in Puritan costume are carved in high relief, kneeling beside a bier.  Note in porch (1) stoup and recess at side of doorway, (2) in jamb of doorway within, an earlier stoup, (3) Dec. tabernacle.  Facing the village is the wooded hill of Stantonbury (to be distinguished from its barer neighbour Wynbury).  The summit contains a fine camp of considerable area, and commands a remarkable prospect. (Take lane to Corston, turn into a field adjoining an orchard on L., and ascend).  The view from the far side of the camp is striking.  Bath and Keynsham lie near at hand; on the N.W. are Dundry and the factory chimneys of Bristol, and in the distance the Monmouthshire hills; to the S. is Stanton Prior in the foreground, and beyond, the long line of the Mendips stretching away to the R.; whilst on the L. may be discerned the Wiltshire Downs and Alfred’s Tower at Stourton.