A truly beautiful ancient stone circle set up overlooking the mountains, with Helvellyn and the Thirlmere valley in the backdrop, these views are spectacular. The stone circle was constructed over 4,500 years ago in the Neolithic period at time of the stone age where our prehistoric ancestors used stone tools shaped by polishing or grinding, and settled in permanent villages, with domesticated animals, no longer fully relying on hunting and gathering. It has been suggested that some of the outlying stones had astronomical significance, alignments with planets or the stars.
It is believed that because of its location it could have been a meeting place for fellow travellers.
Castlerigg stone circle is one of the oldest in Britain along with Swinnside and Long Meg stone circles in the west of the Lakes (see inside sights & nature for exact locations of the other circles).
Located just outside of Keswick, you can walk from the town (around 1.5 miles). Parking is just outside the gate to the circle. The site is open for anybody to visit through the year.
Photo Credits: Peter Trimming – Reuben Hustler – George Pearson
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