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This is one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain.  It is also the most visited stone circle in Cumbria.  The stone circle was built in a natural amphitheatre with fantastic views of Skiddaw, Blencathra, and the Helvellyn range.

Castlerigg stone circle is about 1.5 miles south east of Keswick (NY291236) and there is limited parking at the lane opposite the stone circle.  There is no entry charge to the site.

The popular Castlerigg Stone Circle Looking south Blencathra The Cove

In 1913, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley (a co-founder of the National Trust) bought the field that the circle stands in and although the land is owned by the National Trust, it is actually maintained by English Heritage.

Castlerigg stone circle is approx 100 feet in diameter and is made up of 38 stones.  Just inside the eastern part of the circle is a group of 10 standing stones, called the Cove.  The tallest of these stones is approx 10 feet high. The stone circle was probably built circa 3000BC and is one of the oldet stone circles in Britain.  It is thought that Castlerigg stone circle was used for ceremonial or religious purposes.  It was also probably used as an astronomical observatory, as the stones are aligned to the sun, moon and the stars.

Blencathra from the stone circle

 

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