Castlerigg

Stone Circle

England

region: Cumbria
Grid Ref: NY291236, Latitude: 54.602471, Longitude: -3.097661

Set in an attractive location near Keswick in Cumbria, Castlerigg is a large 30m stone circle made up of 38 stones. It is believed to be very old, built in the mid-Neolithic age around 3000 BC. There is a magnificent view from the site which is set atop a low hill, surrounded by a much larger circle of mountains.

An unusual feature is a rectangular enclosure within the stone circle - the purpose of this is unknown, however. Because of its antiquity, there is little archaeological evidence about Castlerigg. Burl argues that Castlerigg was influential in the Neolithic stone axe trade, and a number of stone axes have been found on the site.

Other sites nearby -