One of the stones at Hethpool stone circle, Kirknewton. Photo by Northumberland County Council.

Group of standing stones on Great Hetha hill above Hethpool form a horseshoe shaped figure with its rounded end towards the north-east; there are two stones outside of the figure which form a north-south line tangential to it. Nearly all the stones are fallen and with two exceptions are between 5ft 6ins and 6ft 6ins high. The northern stone is practically upright. (1)

The eight principal stones vary from 4ft to 6-1/2ft. Six form part of the horseshoe, and two are outliers. Some smaller stones and some at a short distance may originally have belonged to the group. (2)

NT 89252778. Description of stone circle correct. The only stone showing traces of inscription is the most northerly outlier which bears a faint ring mark 0.1m in diameter. To the north-west of this stone are twin earthbound stones, not mentioned, but possibly associated with this antiquity. The circle is situated on level pastureland in a valley. Similar to other stone circles in the region; the feature is probably Bronze Age. There is no sign of central disturbance but the site is overlain by rig and furrow. (3)

Surveyed at 1:2500. See enlarged sketch. (4)

A horseshoe or oval of unshaped stones, with a north-east/south-west axis, standing on a level knoll. All the stones are toppled. Its condition is of 'uncertain status' and it is listed as having cup and ring markings. The stones considered to be outliers are doubtfully associated. (5)

NT 89212780. Ridge and furrow must have been the major cause of disturbance as it covers the whole terrace. A new survey in 1981 located six buried stones by probing around the northern group of outliers. At the main southern circle two further stone were located in the western side. Suggested that there may originally have been two separate circles. The site may fit into Burl's category of open circles. (6)

NT 8926 2783. Hethpool stone circles. Scheduled RSM No 24584. Two stone circles located on a gravel terrace at the head of the College Valley. The visible stones form a ruinous circle to the S whilst a group of outlying stones lie to the N. At least seven stones are recumbent. A further six stones associated with the N group have been located below ground by probing. The evidence thus acquired suggests that the monumnt originally took the form of two closely spaced stone circles. The maximum height of the stones is 1m and several of them exhibit small chock stones wedged around their bases in order to keep them upright. This would suggest that they are still in their original position. The S circle has a diameter of 61m by 42.7m with an average interval of 16m-20m between each stone, including those found by probing. The N group measures about 60m by 45m. The whole site is overlain by ridge and furrow, and many of the stones may have been disturbed during this phase of medieval cultivation. (7)(8)

A watching brief to the east of the circle observed a granite boulder similar in character to those seen on the monument. Not certain whether it was part of the circle. (9)

The 1980 survey notes that Honeyman (see authority 1) recorded that 'many years ago, a few of the smaller pillars were rolled down the road which skirts the terrace and laid so as to form a rude parapet above the river bank'. Three of these stones are still visible on the western side of the modern road. The northern group of outlying stones seem likely to be a separate structure, in or close to their original positions. The creation of ridge and furrow must have been the major cuase of disturbance to this site as it covers the whole glacial terrace on which the monument is situated. The six new stones found by probing were randomly scattered and this shows signs of selectivity, in that the larger more solidly-founded stones were too difficult to move and were allowed to remain in or close to their original positions, whilst smaller stones were simply buried or removed. The evidence of newly located stones seems to suggest that originally the area was the site of two separate stone circles. The southern circle is categorised as early large open circle. (10)

NT 892 278. Hethpool. A problematical site. All the blocks are fallen except for one at the S that leans. Eight stones measure between 1.7m and 2m in length. There are others, half-buried, to the NE. The ground has been so disturbed by ploughing that nothing of the form can be certain, but a survey by Peter Topping (7a) indicates that there may have been two rings here, a N one so damaged that no dimensions can be recovered and a S, 64m away, measuring 61m by 42.7m. This would be one of the largest rings in N Britain. It is interesting, therefore, that it is only four miles W of the group of Milfield henges. (11)

General associaiton with HER 20264. (11)