The Longstone is a megalithic monument near the village of Mottistone, close to the south west coast of the Isle of Wight. It is the only megalithic monument on the Island.

The Longstone consists of two pieces of local greensand sandstone probably from a vein 100 metres away. The larger stands at 3.9 metres and the smaller lies at its foot. They are on the edge of a wood in small fenced enclosure just off Strawberry Lane, near Mottistone. The name Mottistone (the Speaker's or pleader's stone) almost certainly derives from the Longstone. The stones and the surrounding land are in the care of the National Trust and are open to the public.

Until the mid nineteenth century the smaller stone was further south but in 1856 a local landowner, Lord Dillon, had it turned over to discover if it had a mortise hole (it did not). Its present position has led to fanciful tales of its being a sacrificial altar stone and so, in common with many other megalithic monuments, modern pagan meetings and rituals are associated with it.

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Founded: 4000 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

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4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Simon Porter (2 years ago)
It's a stone, in the middle of a slightly windy hillside, there is no information about it and if it wasn't marked on the map you wouldn't know what it was - apart from a slightly unusual stone in the middle of nowhere. Some people we met on the way up to the stone said you should walk around it and make a wish - so we did... we'll wait and see what happens :-)
GJ Stevens (2 years ago)
Beautiful place, very lovely relaxing walk. Gets a little narrow and steep in places so would advise suitable footwear. Great views over the top make for some great photo opportunities.
Julian Adams (2 years ago)
Always love wondering around here, such a beautiful area. Love watching the sunrise here especially. The surrounding area is also very beautiful with 5 barrow down to the north with its iron age burials and the beautiful flat lands to the south. Of to the East are some rather beautiful woods, forget the name, starts with a G I think on the other side of Strawberry lane.
Graham Duff (2 years ago)
Nice walk up to the Longstone from the National Trust car park on Strawberry Lane. Good views over the sea. The stone quite atmospheric on its solitude.
S O (2 years ago)
We took the wrong path walking to the Longstone but it was a fortunate mistake. The route we took over the top of the hill was absolutely fantastic. The views were well worth the effort, and we found the Longstone on the way down. The Longstone itself is worth seeing - it's a real connection to an ancient and largely unknowable past.
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