Long Meg and Her Daughters, Stone circle and prehistoric monument in Hunsonby, England
The stone circle measures 350 feet in diameter and contains 69 stones arranged in a circular pattern, with Long Meg standing 12 feet tall.
Dating from 1500 BC, this stone circle served as a gathering place for prehistoric communities to conduct meetings and religious ceremonies.
William Wordsworth recognized this monument as the second most notable ancient site in England after Stonehenge in his written observations.
A newly constructed parking area enables direct access to the stone circle, which remains open for visitors throughout the year.
Long Meg features spiral carvings and geometric patterns on its red sandstone surface, while the other stones consist of rhyolite granite.
Location: Hunsonby
Website: http://stone-circles.org.uk/stone/longmeg.htm
GPS coordinates: 54.72806,-2.66743
Latest update: May 27, 2025 13:24
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.
Cumbria features medieval churches, watermills, prehistoric stone circles and Roman ruins. The region houses historic mansions like Sizergh Castle and Hutton in the Forest. Nature enthusiasts can explore limestone formations, waterfalls and Ennerdale Lake. Literature fans can visit William Wordsworth's birthplace and residence.
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