York’s Mini Stonehenge - what to see and how to get there
Hidden just off Rawdon Avenue, in the unassuming sprawl of York’s east side, there’s a little-known spot that combines recycled history, wild nature, and just a touch of fantasy weirdness. Welcome to St Nick’s Nature Reserve, home of the wonderfully odd Dragon Stones.
Let’s set expectations: this isn’t some ancient druid site. It’s not even that old. But what it is — is pure York.
Back in 1995, a local open-air theatre group built this mini stone circle using salvaged church masonry. A mix of offcuts, repurposed slabs, and hand-laid drama, it quickly became a landmark — equal parts sculpture, stage set and conversation starter. Today, the Dragon Stones stand quietly under the trees like something left behind by medieval wizards on a lunch break.
But the real magic here? It’s the land they stand on.
St Nick’s Nature Reserve was once the city dump. Literally. First a brickworks, then a landfill, then an unofficial wasteland full of metal and asbestos. It closed in the 70s after locals quite rightly kicked up a stink. And then — something beautiful happened. Volunteers started planting. Wildlife returned. And the site slowly transformed from forgotten tip to one of York’s most ecologically rich green spaces.
Now it’s home to over 1,000 species of plants, birds, beetles and butterflies. Paths criss-cross wildflower meadows and young woodland, and everything is kept pristine thanks to the tireless work of local volunteers. That’s what makes St Nick’s different — it’s not just a place, it’s a community. People give their time, their energy, and occasionally their muddy boots to keep this spot safe, clean and thriving.
And if you’ve got kids or just fancy something hands-on, St Nick’s even has its own YouTube channel, packed with fun and family-friendly nature activities. It’s like David Attenborough with a York accent.
For me, the charm of this place lies in the mix of history and habitat. You’re walking over old bricks from the city walls, past buzzing wildflowers, under young oaks and beside a tiny water rill. It’s calm. It’s quiet. And yet it’s absolutely alive.
Want a fun fact for your walk? Those Dragon Stones aren’t just theatre leftovers — some are actually offcuts from the building of York’s medieval walls. So when you sit on one, you’re literally perched on a bit of the city’s history.
In a nutshell:
How much: It’s Free. Open all day, every day.
Where: Rawdon Avenue, York YO10 3FW
St. Nick’s Nature Reserve might not make the tourist top 10 — but it absolutely should. Whether you go for a quiet wander, a bit of bird spotting, or just to find York’s most unlikely mini henge, this place is worth the (short) detour.
Magic? Maybe not. But properly special, absolutely and as always if you are coming to York and you need a place to stay while visiting the Dragon Stones then just visit our website www.houseofyork.org and book:
- one of our homes for up to six people
- two of our homes for up to 12 people
- or all three together for up to 18 people
Rather conveniently, all our houses are next door to each other!
Want to read more for your next visit to York?
Then download a free copy of our book York Local Knowledge Must-do Top Tens & the vouchers to get them for less where you will discover the historic UK city of York like a local with tips, top tens, and guidance on where to find the best discounts and vouchers, so you can experience it all without breaking the bank!
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This isn’t your average guidebook—it’s a laugh-out-loud, down-to-earth companion, packed with top-ten lists covering everything from essential attractions and hidden gems to entertainment, dining spots, walks, tours, festivals, and shopping, all enriched with a local’s insider knowledge.
With insights, amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of puns and dad jokes, Alistair’s love letter to York will help you see the city in a whole new way. Grab a copy and start planning the York adventure you didn’t know you were missing!
With over 240 pages, this guide is ideal for families and groups of friends planning a trip to York and includes:
Up-to-date information on everything in the ever-changing city of York—this is the 2025 edition.
Top ten lists of York’s best tourist attractions, entertainment spots, food and drink, walks, tours, festivals, and independent shops.
Beautiful photography accompanying every recommendation.
Answers to visitors’ top questions, from “Where’s the best place for ice cream?” to “Where can I find a great takeaway curry?”
Recommendations on where locals go for up-to-date information about York.
The best places to stay, from five-star hotels to holiday homes and houseboats.
Details on where to find discounts and vouchers for York restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
Want to hear a great podcast about York?
A fab podcast for tourists and locals looking to find out more about York History, must do York Top 10's and money saving tips to do it all for less.
Just search your podcast app for York Must Do Top 10s or click on this link for the show on apple podcast here
Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.