Twelve Apostles of Ilkley Moor
Twelve Apostles of Ilkley Moor, Bronze Age stone circle on Burley Moor, England
The Twelve Apostles form a circular arrangement of stones measuring 15 meters in diameter, with each stone standing between half a meter and 1.2 meters tall.
Originally containing up to 20 stones during the Neolithic period, the circle underwent multiple re-erection efforts after all stones had fallen by the mid-20th century.
Archaeological surveys indicate the site likely served as a ceremonial space during the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to early farming communities in Britain.
Visitors can reach the stone circle through a 30-minute walk from the Cow and Calf rocks car park, following the Dales Way track at 380 meters elevation.
Research suggests potential astronomical alignments between the Twelve Apostles and nearby stone formations, including the Grubstones Circle and Backstone Circle.
Location: Burley
GPS coordinates: 53.90156,-1.80957
Latest update: March 5, 2025 08:04
Stone circles stand among humanity's earliest architectural accomplishments, constructed by prehistoric communities across Europe and beyond over thousands of years. These circular arrangements of standing stones served multiple purposes, functioning as astronomical observatories where ancient peoples tracked celestial movements, seasonal changes, and solar events. The monuments also acted as communal gathering spaces for ceremonies, trade, and social activities. The engineering skills required to transport, raise, and position these massive stones—some weighing several tons—reveal the sophisticated organizational capabilities and technical knowledge of Neolithic and Bronze Age societies. This collection spans numerous locations throughout Europe. In England, Stonehenge features precisely arranged upright stones forming a 98-foot (30-meter) circle built between 3000 and 2000 BC, while the Avebury complex measures 1,086 feet (331 meters) across and dates to 2850 BC. Scotland hosts several significant sites, including the Callanish Stones with a central monolith standing 16 feet (4.8 meters) tall, and the Ring of Brodgar, which originally contained 60 stones encircled by a 30-foot (9-meter) wide ditch. The Castlerigg Stone Circle sits surrounded by Lake District peaks, constructed around 3000 BC. Beyond the British Isles, Germany's Goseck Circle demonstrates astronomical alignment dating to 4900 BC, making it one of the oldest known structures of its kind. Ireland's Drombeg Stone Circle uses 17 stones to mark solstice positions. Each site provides insight into how prehistoric communities observed the heavens, marked time, and organized their societies around these enduring monuments.
Ilkley Moor
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Milestone, Dales Way, Rombalds Moor at SE12744429
781 m
Milestone, Dales Way, Rombalds Moor at SE12504275
2.3 kmReviews
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