Discover the Mystery of Cumbria’s Stone Circles

Stone circles are a source of fascination around the world.  From the majesty of Stonehenge to the mystery of places like Maumbury Rings in Dorset where almost nothing remains, we are drawn to visit these spots.  Perhaps we hear the echo of voices from our ancestors who used these places!

Whatever the reason, Cumbria has no shortage of these amazing sites to visit – there’s over 50 spread around the county!  As a visitor to the Lake District, you are perfectly located to visit them and enjoy stepping into the past for a short time.

These fantastic places have been here for a long time and will continue to amaze visitors as soon as visiting is allowed again due to Covid regulations. Below is a list to help you plan for your future visit.

If you’re planning a visit to Cumbria to explore the amazing stone circles, the Coppermines has some amazing luxury lake district cottages you can use as your base.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg is located on a hill near Keswick and in the shadow of Blencathra.  There’s no doubt the stunning location played a part in why the stone circle was created here some 4500 years ago. 

It is one of the oldest known stone circles in the UK and is made from 38 stones with a further set of 10 in a rectangle shape inside, known as the Sanctuary.  With its astronomical alignment and the Neolithic axes found nearby, it is clearly an important religious site but exactly what part it played is unclear.

Swinside Stone Circle

Swinside is viewed as one of the most important stone circles in Cumbria and features 55 stones that are laid out in a circle that is ninety feet across.  The circle is in the southwest corner of the Lake District near Millom.

Like other circles, the exact use for it is unknown for it has a clear entrance area and was built in the Late Bronze Age.

Long Meg and Her Daughters

Long Meg is a single piece of standing red sandstone that is almost four metres high.  It is surrounded by 69 glacial stones that are known as her Daughters.  The site is found in the Eden Valley and is one of the largest stone circles in Britain as well as one of the oldest.

Long Meg is carved with circles, cups, rings and grooves although the meaning of the carvings has been lost to us.  The stone also has a midwinter sunset alignment when you stand in the centre of the circle.

Birkrigg Stone Circle

Birkrigg is another stone circle with a stunning location and looks out over Morecombe Bay and the village of Bardsea Common.  It is located on Birkrigg Common.

The site features standing stones and five shallow cremation pits have also been found.  There are two rings of concentric stones, a formation that’s unusual with only 30 sites across the country featuring it.  There’s evidence of human occupation of the area that dates back to the Bronze Age.

Glassonby

The Glassonby circle is actually laid out in an oval and is near the village of the same name.  There are 30 stones left standing with two featuring concentric circle markings as well as other glyphs.

Markings also indicate it may have been created by the same people as Long Meg which is to the south-west of it.  A cist or small stone coffin was found but the contents had been removed long ago.