CastleRigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg

Location: Keswick

Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in England and is one of our oldest stone circles. Every year thousands of visitors come to see the stone circle asking why and when it was built.

The circle comprises 38 free standing stones some of which are up to 3 metres high dating back to the Neolithic period around 4000 to 5000 years ago. Inside the circle are three stone axes which are made from volcanic stone quarried in the fells during the same period. The main purpose of the site is unknown but there are a couple of suggestions. It could have been used as a trading post, a meeting place for social gatherings, a site for religious ceremonies and rituals or an astronomical observatory with the stones being aligned to the sun, moon and stars.

In 1913 the site was acquired by the National Trust through efforts by Canon Rawnsley and is maintained by English Heritage.

Standing on the top of a low hill above Keswick it is well worth a visit with beautiful views across to Skiddaw, Blencathra and Lonscale Fell.