Castlerigg stone circle, Stone circle in Lake District, England.
The circle consists of 38 stones arranged in an elliptical pattern, with a diameter ranging from 29.5 to 32.6 meters on a hill plateau.
Built around 3200 BCE during the Late Neolithic period, this monument served as a gathering place for Stone Age communities in northern England.
The rectangular formation of ten stones inside the eastern section of the circle suggests ceremonial or astronomical observation purposes for ancient inhabitants.
Located near Keswick, the site remains open throughout the year and allows visitors to observe prominent peaks including Helvellyn, Skiddaw, and Blencathra.
The heaviest stone weighs 16 tonnes, while local slate material was used to construct this astronomical alignment pointing to Threlkeld Knott.
Location: St John's Castlerigg and Wythburn
Website: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castlerigg-stone-circle
GPS coordinates: 54.60280,-3.09843
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:55
Stone circles are megalithic structures from prehistoric times. These monuments served as astronomical observation points and gathering places. The constructions demonstrate the technical abilities of early societies. The stones were placed and aligned with precision. Many of these circles connect to solstices and star constellations.
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