Cumbria has one of the greatest numbers of Stone Circles in the UK. Long Meg & her Daughters, Swinside, Birkrigg and Castlerigg are perhaps the best preserved; but many smaller circles can be found. All are within easy driving distance from Windermere.
Long Meg
A circle with 66 - 69 stones, Long Meg is the 3.8m high sandstone outlier. The circle is aligned to the Mid-Winter sunset, the shadow of Long Meg at this time shines into the centre of the circle through the circles entrance portal. With a total area of 7,991m2 this is the fifth biggest circle in Britain & Ireland. Rock Art is visible on Long Meg.
Swinside
A magnificent circle situated near Millom, overlooking the Duddon Estuary. Swinside is aligned to the Mid-Winter sunrise.
Birkrigg
A small intimate limestone circle situated on Birkrigg common near Ulverston. Also called "The Druid's Circle".
Castlerigg
The mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra provide a stunning natural backdrop to this well preserved circle. Situated a few miles from Keswick, this is a well visited site which boasts Rock Art on a few stones.
Rock Art can be found on a large boulder at Chapel Stile, near the site of a Neolithic Axe factory on the Langdale Pikes.
Photography by Amanda Watson.
