Swinside

Swinside is a stone circle in Cumbria composed of around 55 stones made from porphyritic slate, with several of these blocks reaching considerable heights. Two larger stones mark the south-eastern entrance as portal stones, framing the way into the circle.

This site was built between 3300 and 900 BCE during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age periods. The long span of these dates suggests that such gathering places held meaning for communities across many generations.

The site goes by the alternative name Sunkenkirk, rooted in local folklore about the Devil and a church that was meant to be built here. This alternative naming shows how the place shaped the stories and beliefs of those living nearby.

Access to the site follows a farm track from a parking area, and the site is reachable on foot through the surrounding landscape. Visitors should come prepared for changing weather and open countryside conditions.

The two portal stones at the south-eastern entrance align with the midwinter sunrise when observed from within the circle. This alignment shows that the builders positioned this site with careful attention to how the sun moves across the sky.

Location: Cumbria

GPS coordinates: 54.28248,-3.27385

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04