LAKE DISTRICT: Stone Circles
Besides its wonderful scenery, the Cumbrian landscape has a wealth of archeological remains, particularly standing stones and stone circles. Most of these ancient sites are to be found on the fringes of the high fells, but Cumbria’s most famous stone circle is in the heart of the lakes, just two miles from Keswick…
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Castlerigg Stone Circle, looking to Helvellyn
Castlerigg Stone Circle, looking to Helvellyn
Castlerigg Stone Circle, looking to Blencathra
Castlerigg Stone Circle, looking to Helvellyn
Mayburgh Henge, near Penrith: here a huge circular earthwork surrounds a single standing stone (originally a group of four)
The Goggleby Stone near Shap: the eastern edge of the Lake District is particularly rich in ancient sites with several standing stones and small stone circles. The Goggleby Stone was part of a stone avenue running to the west of Shap.
Druid’s Circle, Birkrigg Common near Ulverston, looking across the Leven Estuary
Swinside Stone Circle: this beautiful circle stands on the eastern edge of Black Combe near Broughton-in- Furness. The circle itself is comparable to Castlerigg, but the setting is rather more peaceful. Its ancient name is “Sunkenkirk” or sunken church!
Swinside Stone Circle, looking south to Knott Hill
Swinside Stone Circle, looking to the Coniston Fells
Swinside Stone Circle
Swinside Stone Circle, looking south to Knott Hill
Giant’s Grave, Kirksanton: this pair of Standing stones are on Cumbria’s coastal strip, south of Black Combe, an area once rich with ancient remains. Near by, on the low hill of Lacra, several groups of stones can still be found.
Giant’s Grave, Kirksanton, looking to Black Combe
Giant’s Grave, Kirksanton, looking to Black Combe
Stone Circle at Brat’s Moss, Eskdale, looking to Harter Fell: this is a wild and beautiful setting for several small circles
Blakeley Raise Stone Circle, near Ennerdale Bridge
Back to where we started: Castlerigg Stone Circle, looking to Helvellyn
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