The Devil's Arrows
Giant Neolithic Monoliths Standing Tall in Boroughbridge
Posted on 12th September 2026
Standing silently in fields just outside the historic market town of Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, The Devil’s Arrows are three of the most remarkable and massive Neolithic standing stones in the United Kingdom.
Erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago during the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, these colossal gritstone pillars tower up to 22 feet (nearly 7 metres) high—taller than many of the stones at Stonehenge! For centuries, their true origins, purpose, and construction have puzzled antiquarians, locals, and archaeologists alike.
Highlights / What to Expect 🗿✨
Visiting the Devil's Arrows provides a memorable glimpse into Britain's prehistoric past:
- Towering Megaliths: Stand beneath three imposing stone pillars, decorated with deep vertical fluting grooved into the tops by thousands of years of rain.
- Monumental Scale: The tallest stone reaches an impressive 22.5 feet (6.9m) above ground, with several more feet buried beneath the earth.
- Free Public Access: View these ancient monuments up close from public footpaths running alongside Roecliffe Lane.
- Sacred Alignment: The three remaining stones stand aligned in a north-south line stretching over 170 metres across the fields.
- Close to Aldborough: Combine your trip with a visit to nearby historic Roman Aldborough and the legendary Battle Cross.
Origin Uncovered: Moved 11 Miles From Brimham Rocks! 🔬🪨
For years, information signs at the site stated that the Devil's Arrows came from nearby Plumpton Rocks (9 miles away). However, groundbreaking new research by academics at the University of York and Australian partners has disproved this! Using isotopic fingerprinting, researchers proved Neolithic communities actually transported these 25-tonne stones 11 miles (18km) across Yorkshire from Brimham Rocks.
"We have now proved Neolithic communities moved several 25-tonne stones, transforming a familiar site into an epic quest to create a sacred landscape."
The study also confirmed a local legend that a long-lost fourth arrow had been "hiding in plain sight" and had been moved and carved into the Battle Cross monument in nearby Aldborough.
The Devil's Flight & Lost Pillars 😈🏹
Local folklore claims the stones were shot by the Devil from nearby Howe Hill towards the Christian settlement of Aldborough, missing their target and embedding in the earth. Early historical records from the 16th century record that at least four—and possibly five or six—stones originally formed a much grander prehistoric avenue.
Photo Gallery
Plan Your Visit 📅
Essential visitor details for visiting The Devil's Arrows in Boroughbridge:
Admission & Access Information
Free Access: The stones are situated on private farmland but can be clearly viewed year-round from public footpaths running parallel to Roecliffe Lane and public rights of way.
Respect the Landscape: Please stick to marked public footpaths and keep dogs on leads as the fields are actively farmed.
No Pre-Booking Required: Simply visit at your leisure during daylight hours.
* Note: Access guidance and footpath rights of way are correct at time of publishing. Please respect private property boundaries while viewing.
Opening Hours
Accessible 365 days a year during daylight hours.
Dog Policy
Dogs are welcome on short leads along the public rights of way.
Facilities
No on-site facilities. Dozens of traditional cafes, pubs, and shops are located a 5-minute walk away in Boroughbridge town centre.
Accessibility
Visible from the roadside on Roecliffe Lane. Closer access via public footpaths involves unpaved grassy paths and field edges.
Getting There 🗺️
📍 Location Address:
The Devil's Arrows, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, YO51 9LS
🚗 By Car & Parking
Located just 1 mile off Junction 48 of the A1(M). Free parking is available in Boroughbridge town centre car parks (such as Back Lane Car Park, YO51 9AN), a short 5 to 10-minute walk down Roecliffe Lane to the stones.
🚌 By Bus
Local bus services connect Boroughbridge from Ripon, Knaresborough, and York, dropping at the town centre High Street.
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