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Stonehenge: The Story So Far, Julian Richards

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Castlerigg - Stone Circle in England in Cumbria

Submitted by H_Fenton on Tuesday, 19 December 2023  Page Views: 78196

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Castlerigg Alternative Name: The Carles; Druid's Circle
Country: England County: Cumbria Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Keswick  Nearest Village: Castlerigg
Map Ref: NY29132363  Landranger Map Number: 89
Latitude: 54.602849N  Longitude: 3.098584W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

TysonM 43559959 Kamba dierkrosselle jay1971 rogergw Vandora jimstone rrmoser would like to visit

Pressure visited on 22nd Oct 2022 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 Absolutely chuffing marvellous. Wanted to come here for decades and it did not disappoint. Probably the most beautiful setting of any stone circle in Britain.

bishop_pam visited on 28th Sep 2020 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Very crowded today, will have to come back when it’s quieter!

DJMace visited on 22nd Nov 2019 - their rating: Amb: 5 Access: 5

sba_dk visited on 10th Jul 2018 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

MicheleW visited on 1st Jan 2017 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

Marko visited on 4th Oct 2016 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 5

trystan_hughes visited on 13th Apr 2016 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

Aurora_skygazer visited on 13th Mar 2016 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Castlerigg Stone Ring Castle Lane, Underskiddaw, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RN Castlerigg is a huge ancient ring of 38 stones (previously 42) — one of the oldest in Britain, believed to have been set up by Neolithic people around 3000 BC. It looks dramatic against a panoramic backdrop of High Seat and Helvellyn mountains, which still had a light covering of snow over the tops when we visited the stone circle before the recent Spring Equinox. Two enormous stones stand upright on the north side, marking its entrance, and there is an outlying stone slightly south-west of the ring (moved from its original position!). Inside the Castlerigg ring is a small rectangle of standing stones — an unusual feature for stone circles. Castlerigg looks well cared for by English Heritage, and entry is free during daytimes. It overlooks the Thirlmere Valley and is about a half-hour scenic walk from Keswick in the Lake District National Park. Those unable to walk may find limited parking in Castle Lane, beside the field containing the stone ring — be aware that parking space is very limited in the narrow lane, so best to avoid bank holiday weekends and school holidays if you can!

kthdsn visited on 10th May 2014 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

NorthernerInLondon visited on 9th Mar 2014 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Kimmy visited on 1st Jan 2014 Georgous but usually busy . Visited here many times

soulsurfer visited on 21st Sep 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 One of the best for location.

MartinJEley visited on 10th Sep 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 Although I had visited the Lake District many times over the years this was my first visit to this incredible stone circle. The stone circle in itself is well maintained. Once on site the special location with the surrounding circle of mountain peaks make it easy to understand why this location was chosen.

Custer visited on 3rd Apr 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 5 very peaceful only few people around awesome position spectacular

ModernExplorers visited on 2nd Mar 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 3 Access: 5 Lovely Stone Circle with some interestingly shaped mountains nearby

SueS visited on 16th May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 The site is on a whaleback hill with views of the Lake District hills all round. the best access is from the Keswick - Penrith road, on the signposted road from Penrith side of the hill . There is another road from the Keswick side but it is very narrow and steep - not a recommended route. There is quite a lot of roadside parking. I sent up my kite at about 5pm and took photos from a camera hanging on the kite line. I am pleased to have taken one of the whole circle and also some of the close-ups have come out well.

SteveC visited on 21st Sep 2010 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5 Also visited 17/04/2009

jeffrep visited on 20th Sep 2006 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

ForestWalker visited on 1st Sep 2004 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 5 I loved my visit here, it is surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Always worth a visit when near.

megalithicmatt visited on 1st Jan 2004 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 Great site!

Richard13 visited on 1st Nov 2003 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

Chrus visited on 1st Jan 2001 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

bigbobswinden visited on 1st Sep 1999 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5 In perfect conditions we parked around mid day in the lane and walked directly onto the site. I am not a very relgious person, but standing in the middle of this circle and scanning the 306deg view of mountains towering over you at some distance was humbling and I think religious. We decided to return that night, and for the first time in my life I clearly saw the Milky Way. It was fantastic.

woodini254 visited on 12th May 1997 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

BolshieBoris visited on 1st Jan 1992 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

shawid visited on 3rd Jan 1969 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

Twistytwirly visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

coin visited - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 3 Access: 5

kith visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

hevveh Tonnox drolaf Humbucker ATBlackcat Bladup attlebax DrewParsons TheCaptain h_fenton PhilipT rldixon TheWhiteRider nicoladidsbury sorschaL Andy B kelpie StoneLee NickyD Alma23 mrcrow have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.33 Ambience: 4.68 Access: 4.79

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by markhether18 : This is an image of the Orion constellation and a small Geminid meteor above Castlerigg stone circle, near Keswick in The Lake District. (Vote or comment on this photo)
One of the best known and best preserved circles in Cumbria. A ring of 38 stones stands within a spectacular ring of mountains. Looking to the north you see Skiddaw and Blencathra, to the south High Rigg and Helvellyn, to the west the Derwent Fells and to the east through a gap, the Northern Pennines.

Under the guardianship of the National Trust, Castlerigg is one of the UK’s earliest stone circles, dating to the Neolithic around 3000BC. Of the 38 stones, most of which are glacial erratics, 33 still stand, while a further 10 form a rectangular enclosure or sanctuary inside the ring, a feature unique to this site.

Most of the stones are around 1m in height, but those closer to the entrances at the north and south are larger. The tallest stone is over 2m high, weighing around 15 tonnes. An outlying stone (not in its original position) is located 90m to the south-west close to a dry stone wall.

For more information and photographs see Pastscape Monument No. 9828. The Journal of Antiquities also features a page for this stone circle - see their entry for Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick, Cumbria, which includes a description of the site, an old photograph of the stone circle, and a brief debate about its use. The Journal adds: " One of the stones at the eastern side is said to be magnetic in nature, the whole site acting, perhaps, as a kind of powerpoint. A number of leylines are said to pass through the circle".

Page originally by Vicky.

Note: Top photo: The constellation of Orion and a small Geminid meteor above Castlerigg stone circle
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Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by wayland : Seven Rooks over the Carles. A clamor of rooks over the Carles at Castlerigg Category * A * (24 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by PhilipT : Magical light at Castlerigg (Category A) (20 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by Anna_stocks : 1st PRIZE WINNER! Castlerigg, Autumn 2003 * B * Prehistory Photo Competition (UK or Ireland) (13 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle submitted by JanF : ~ On my way back from photographing steam trains, I was guided by a voice (above) to travel to Castlerigg Stone Circle and take some images. Here is my photo taken just s few hours ago .... (6 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by wayland : The Carles of Castlerigg shot by fire light. (15 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by Andy B : (6 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by nicoladidsbury : Castlerigg Stone Circle Composite. Three images stitched together. It was a lovely day, beautiful light and wispy clouds - magic.... (10 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by h_fenton : A vertical kite aerial photograph of Castlerigg stone circle, there are a few people and sheep in the picture but you should be able to tell them apart from the stones by their shadows. 11 September 2010 @ 4.51pm (12 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by wayland : Still my favorite circle though I've always known it as "The Carles" (6 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by swatson : The great circle of stones in their dramatic setting at Castlerigg in the Lakeland fells; bathed here in the late evening sunlight. NY293236 (2 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by JanF : Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick, Cumbria. Tuesday 7th December 2010. (4 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by JanF : Castlerigg Stone Circle. (2 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by h_fenton : An oblique kite aerial photograph of Castlerigg stone circle looking in a westerly direction towards Keswick, from ground level much of this view is obscured by a wall and hedge. 11 September 2010 @ 5.11pm

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by nicoladidsbury : Castlerigg Stone circle in the snow, with Skiddaw and Blencathra, 3rd Jan 2010 (11 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by h_fenton : An oblique kite aerial photograph of Castlerigg stone circle looking in a rough south-south-easterly direction. 11 September 2010 @ 5.28pm (4 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by JanF : Castlerigg Stone Circle, Tuesday 7th December 2010. Temperature minus 5 degrees Centigrade. (2 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by rldixon : Castlerigg sunrise late morning 9th of december 2008 (2 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by Wayland : The Carles in the last of the evening light leading into a stacked set of star trail exposures through the night. (2 comments)

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by Bladup : Castlerigg.

Castlerigg W
Castlerigg W submitted by Humbucker : The stone at the edge of the field near Castlerigg. Looking towards Cats Bells

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by rldixon : Castlerigg Stone Circle Keswick Cumbria

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by Bladup : A lovely day at Castlerigg.

Castlerigg
Castlerigg submitted by cantona7 : A break in the clouds over Castlerigg (1 comment)

Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle submitted by SueS : Castlerigg Stone Circle taken from a camera on a kite line at about 6pm in May 2011. 'The Temple' on the right is in the East and the main entrance from the road on the left is in the North. (1 comment)

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 76m WSW 246° Castlerigg W* Stone Circle (NY29062360)
 1.9km SE 128° Holy Well of St John the Baptist* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NY30622245)
 3.2km SW 227° Millennium Stone, Derwent Water* Modern Stone Circle etc (NY268215)
 3.9km E 82° Threlkeld Knott* Ancient Village or Settlement (NY330241)
 4.9km S 169° Shoulthwaite Hillfort* Hillfort (NY300188)
 6.3km SSW 194° Reecastle Crag* Hillfort (NY275175)
 6.5km SW 217° Salt Well (Grange)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NY25161848)
 7.2km SSE 155° Brown How Ring Cairn* Ring Cairn (NY3208017008)
 8.1km SSW 206° Bowder Stone* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (NY255164)
 8.2km SSW 206° Pocklington's Druid Stone* Modern Stone Circle etc (NY2539116369)
 8.8km SSW 208° Castle Crag Hillfort* Hillfort (NY249159)
 10.7km E 80° Great Mell Fell Tumulus* Round Cairn (NY3967825366)
 10.9km NNE 22° Round Knott Cairn (NY334337)
 11.2km NNE 26° Carrock Fell* Hillfort (NY342336)
 11.5km NW 308° Castle How Fort Hillfort (NY201308)
 11.8km NNE 31° Mungrisedale* Cairn (NY353337)
 11.9km SE 125° St Patrick's Well (Patterdale)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NY388166)
 12.4km SSE 162° Dunmail Raise* Round Cairn (NY32721170)
 12.5km SSW 206° Borrowdale Stone Monument* Standing Stones (NY235125)
 12.9km SSW 204° Cappel-Crag/Seathwaite wall structure Misc. Earthwork (NY237119)
 13.5km ENE 69° Penruddock Stone Circle (NY419282)
 13.5km ENE 69° Motherby Stone Circle (NY419282)
 13.8km S 173° Grasmere - Far Easedale* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (NY305099)
 14.0km NW 304° Elvaplain* Stone Circle (NY1770131716)
 14.1km SE 127° Beckstones* Rock Art (NY403150)
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Prehistoric Monuments of the Lake District

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Myths and Megaliths by Jim Dyson
Alastair's OTHER Stone Circle Pages by Alastair McIvor
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STILE by Clive Ruggles
Symbolstone: Megaliths by Alligator Descartes
Paul Kenyon`s Database by Paul Kenyon

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"Castlerigg" | Login/Create an Account | 32 News and Comments
  
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Behind the Stones: on site talks on Castlerigg Stone Circle, Saturday 16th Sept 2023 by Andy B on Wednesday, 06 September 2023
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Raised in about 3000 BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles. Join us as we tell the stories behind the stones and discover Neolithic Cumbria.

There are few stone circles in Britain with such a dramatic setting as that of Castlerigg, which overlooks the Thirlmere Valley with the mountains of High Seat and Helvellyn as a backdrop. It is not just its location that makes this one of the most important British stone circles. Thought to have been constructed about 3000 BC, it is potentially one of the earliest in the country. Taken into guardianship in 1883, it was also one of the first monuments in the country to be recommended for preservation by the state.

To celebrate Heritage Open Days, we are delighted to have knowledgeable volunteer explainers bring this magnificent site to life through a series of engaging talks. From fascinating stone markings that could easily be missed, to the deep links between the landscape and people who raised Castlerigg, these talks reveal the fascinating story of Neolithic Cumbria and are not to be missed!

Saturday 16 September: 1100, 1230 & 1400
No booking required

Parking: Limited parking is available at the site. Walking from the centre of Keswick to the stones takes approximately 30 minutes. Please consider using public transport. See the Stagecoach website for details of services around the Lake District. Grounds: Please take extra care when moving through and around the stones of the site as the ground is particularly muddy and can be slippery given recent weather conditions. Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome. Please be aware that the site is grazed by sheep.

Tour lasts 45 minutes - 1 hour with time at end for questions Please look out for the English Heritage chalkboard sign at the site as your meeting point.
More: www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/behind-the-stones-a-talk-on-castlerigg-stone-circle
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Tours, Museum collection display and handling, Sat 22 Jul, 10am till 3pm by Andy B on Friday, 23 June 2023
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Tours, Museum collection display and handling at Castlerigg stone circle, Sat 22 Jul, 10am till 3pm

Join members of Keswick Museums Learning Team and English Heritage guides to explore Castlerigg stone circle and discover what Neolithic life would have been like in the Lake District. There will be opportunities to handle objects from the Museum's collection and lots of other ways to immerse yourself in the Neolithic history of the area.

Castle lane, Under Skiddaw , Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RN, United Kingdom

Parking at the site is limited.
Access to the Stone Circle is through a field and therefore may be uneven and muddy. Livestock may also be present in the field.

https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing/castlerigg-stone-cirlce-1.html
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Lunchtime Talk at Keswick Museum: Neolithic Cumbria and Castlerigg, Fri 21st July by Andy B on Friday, 23 June 2023
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Lunchtime Talk at Keswick Museum: Neolithic Cumbria and Castlerigg Stone Circle
Fri, 21 July, 1:00

Join Keswick Museums and English Heritage for a free lunchtime talk at the museum on Neolithic Cumbria and Castlerigg Stone Circle, with Jennifer Wexler, Curator Ancient Monuments at English Heritage.

Keswick Museum & Art Gallery, Station Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA124NF

Booking recommended
https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing/castlerigg-stone-cirlce.html
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    Curator in the Gallery with Neolithic collection, Wed, 26 Jul 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM by Andy B on Friday, 23 June 2023
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    Curator in the Gallery, Wed, 26 Jul 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM

    Join the curator and local guides from English Heritage's nearby Castlerigg stone circle for a drop in session at Keswick Museum to find out how the museum cares for its Neolithic collection, in particular our collecting of Langdale stone axes, and ask all your stone age questions!

    EXHIBITION OR DISPLAY FAMILY FRIENDLY
    Location
    Keswick Museum & Art Gallery, Station Road, Keswick, CA124NF

    https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing/curator-in-the-gallery.html
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Re: Castlerigg stone circle by Energyman on Wednesday, 06 March 2019
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1st March 2019 the unusual shape of stone 14 caught my eye.


Chair Shape Stone 14 Castlerigg
by dsmyth
on Sketchfab


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Re: Castlerigg stone circle by drolaf on Monday, 06 August 2018
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a very popular site that is on the tourist tick box list. so expect an ice-cream van during the day til about 5pm. it's best to drive up from Keswick on the 11 trees road. don't even think about driving along Castle lane as it is very narrow, but ok for cyclists, and well worth walking up for the wide views north-west up the Greta valley. From the circle itself this view is obscured by trees.

the turf is still missing from the centre of the ring, so maybe the people who removed this would like to replace it with new turf in the late autumn. cheers.


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Re: Castlerigg by Anne T on Sunday, 23 July 2017
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This stone circle is in a stunning spot, and I'd recommend it to visitors to Keswick and the area. We visited in early 2014, before I'd joined the Portal, but it still sticks in my head as a spot I'd want to return to. The Pastscape link mentioned above tantalisingly states: "Some early sources made reference to outliers, and a stone stands 90 metres south west of the circle. However, it was erected in its present position in circa 1913. It may not be in its original position - indeed it may not originally have been a standing stone at all." It also makes reference to an 1856 notes saying there were three cairns within the circle, of which there are no longer any traces.
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The Neolithic Period in Borrowdale (National Trust leaflet) by Andy B on Saturday, 03 June 2017
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The Neolithic Period in Borrowdale - A history by Andy Warner

Dating from the Late Neolithic period – around
2,500BC – the circle comprises some 38 stones with an
additional 10 stones forming a small rectangular setting,
“The Sanctuary”, located in the eastern quarter. The
underlying rock of the site is Skiddaw Slate, but the stones
themselves are of volcanic origin. And that is pretty much
the extent of our actual knowledge of the Circle

More at
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale-and-derwent-water/documents/castlerigg-stone-circle.pdf
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Re: Castlerigg stone circle by Alta-Falisa on Wednesday, 23 September 2015
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Welcome back, Richard !
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Connections: the relationships between Neolithic and Bronze Age Megalithic Astronomy by Andy B on Wednesday, 27 May 2015
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Gail Higginbottom writes: Hot on the tail of our paper "Origins of Standing Stone Astronomy in Britain: new quantitative techniques for the study of archaeoastronomy (JAS)", come our newest findings through the application of our new statistical test that enables the quantitative determination of astronomical connections of stone circles.

This time in ENGLAND. The paper is called Connections: the relationships between Neolithic and Bronze Age Megalithic Astronomy in Britain and has been submitted to the European Society for Astronomy in Culture (SEAC) for consideration for inclusion in the refereed conference proceedings "The Materiality of the Sky", SEAC 2014, co-hosted by the University of Malta and Heritage Malta. A draft may be viewed or downloaded at the following link.

Connections: the relationships between Neolithic and Bronze Age Megalithic Astronomy in Britain by Gail Higginbottom and Roger Clay

https://www.academia.edu/12629072/Connections_the_relationships_between_Neolithic_and_Bronze_Age_Megalithic_Astronomy_in_Britain

It has already been empirically verified that for many Bronze Age monuments erected in Scotland between 1400-900 BC, there was a concerted effort on behalf of the builders to align their monuments to astronomical bodies on the horizon. It has also been found that there are two common sets of complex landscape and astronomical patternings, combining specific horizon qualities (like distance and elevation) with the rising and setting points of particular astronomical phenomena.

However, it has only been very recently demonstrated by us that that the visible astronomical-landscape variables found at Bronze Age sites on the inner isles and mainland of western Scotland were first established nearly two millennia earlier, with the erection of the mooted first standing-stone 'great circles' in Britain: Callanish and Stenness of Scotland (see G. Higginbottom, and R. Clay, ‘The Origins of Standing Stone Astronomy in Britain’ submitted to Journal of Archaeological Science & available on academia.edu). In this paper we demonstrate the connection between all of these monuments and the large Late Neolithic circles south of Scotland, namely those of Castlerigg and Swinside in Cumbria, England.
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Re: Castlerigg by Anonymous on Friday, 02 March 2012
A beautiful circle...but possibly my most depressing visit to a stone circle ever. The place was heaving, no problem with that, but so much disrepect--kids teetering on top of the largest stone, adults (who should have known better) posing for hundreds of ridiculous similar pics on other stones, a guy (again, old enough to know better) jumping from stone to stone. Not only disrepectful and possibly damaging behaviour but they didn't give a fig for anyone else visiting or trying to take photographs, either. It got so bad we finally did say something to one of the people, and although he muttered darkly at us, he did get off...and then went off digging through stuff chucked up from mole holes. The woman whose kid was flailing about on top of the stones like a fish, went into the centre at the end and stood there, arms out, 'feeling the vibes.' Hmmm,don't think they would be very great after that show!
Besides the visitors jumping all over them, there were very deep muddy trampled areas at their bases, the mud being soft and deep enough to go up past your ankles.
The sign there says nothing about 'please respect the monument, do not climb etc etc' which I think is an oversight. It may not stop the most uncaring but it just might stop those who do what they do in a non-malicious, just thoughtless, manner,and of course it gives you something to point to if you challenge anyone about their behaviour.
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    Re: Castlerigg by Runemage on Friday, 02 March 2012
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    The sign there says nothing about 'please respect the monument, do not climb etc etc' which I think is an oversight. It may not stop the most uncaring but it just might stop those who do what they do in a non-malicious, just thoughtless, manner,and of course it gives you something to point to if you challenge anyone about their behaviour.


    Is this signboard no longer in situ? It was near the entrance when I visited.(not my photo)
    http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=51064

    See the Bullet Points top left, third one down.

    If the sign's not there now, please let us know.

    I know how you feel, once when I visited there was a large American in a red anorak standing on top of one of the entrance stones, braying like a donkey for ages. It was as much as I could do not to impale him on my staff. I had to walk away as I was so cross I couldn't speak to him.
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    Re: Castlerigg by Anonymous on Wednesday, 27 June 2012
    [Admin bat400: (IP: 77.96.131.141) post deleted - "Posts which are considered to be unnecessarily unpleasant, sarcastic or otherwise offensive e.g. repeatedly denigrating other posters’ viewpoints will be removed without any explanation or further discussion."]
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Re: SUMMER SOLSTICE, 21/06/2002 by Anonymous on Saturday, 30 April 2011
The first time me and my wife visited the stones, about 15 years ago. There was a low level humming sound and the stones seemed to vibrate with energy it was ealy morning and know-one else was around. Quite magnificent, it has never happend since, but I live in hope! keith w
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Re: SUMMER SOLSTICE, 21/06/2002 by emerald on Saturday, 22 January 2011
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AMAZING palce, my all time favourite. Very easy to find, box for donations if you feel you would like to contribute.

Spectaular views & amazing stones, very atmospheric & healing.

If you do go please please please respect the stones, don't climb or try to move them, we must preserve them & look after them
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SUMMER SOLSTICE, 21/06/2002 by Andy B on Tuesday, 05 October 2010
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Castlerigg Street View by SteveDut on Wednesday, 31 March 2010
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View Larger Map
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Re: Castlerigg by coldrum on Wednesday, 07 October 2009
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Pastscape:

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=9828
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Re: Castlerigg by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 April 2009
To decode part of the mystery and therefore reason for building such monuments as castlerigg recount the stones - the '10' stones forming the oblong enclosure are actually 13 stones forming a half circle on the 38 stones of the main circle, like a cog on the inside of a wheel, each sharing 3 stones with the other!
(13 is a lunar number by the way - I will include an explanation of this in the forthcoming book The Ancient Code)
The next bit is slightly tenuous BUT the circle could actually have had 39 stones (some think up to 41) BUT if you include the key/king/outlying stone that is 39. 39=3(the shared stones, trinity etc)x13
I am gonna leave this hanging in the air to see if anyone else ends up where I have ended
For more titbits visit
http://www.ancientcode.com and http://www.dragonsandrings.com
All the brightest
Steve
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Re: Castlerigg by Anonymous on Wednesday, 09 July 2008
Contact details for the people responsible:

anne@ixcanaan.org

www.@ixcanaan.org

Why not tell them how you feel about their actions - I have !
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Re: Castlerigg by Anonymous on Wednesday, 09 July 2008
The problem for the rangers is that they are not able to risk a violent confrontation with these people, and police resources are stretched too far. It might have taken a couple of hours for the police to reach the scene and by then the perpetrators would have fled. Far better to offer the photographic evidence to the National Trust now and suggest that they might have enough evidence to make a prosecution, or at least send a very strongly worded letter informing these people of their disgusting behaviour.
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Re: Castlerigg by graemefield on Tuesday, 08 July 2008
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it is a terrible shame that the national park authority takes the "what can we do about it approach". i admire the action you took, as many would stand by and say nothing. i have e-mailed the liverpool holistic society demanding (if they are truly responsible) an explanation. maybe we should visit their meeting place and dig up the centre of their communial hall and tell them to "feel the love". how would you feel about that?. once again thank you for you direct intervention in this most disrespectful act.
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Re: Castlerigg by coldrum on Tuesday, 08 July 2008
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Not everyone who is pagan damages ancient monuments.
Many are just as horrified by such destruction. They may go to stones to do rituals but theirs are non destructive.
Coldrum in Kent has had the same problem. One pagan was so fed up with the mess that he took it open himself to go down as often as possible to clear the mess away and report any damage to the authorities. People were leaving plastic flowers and one day he arrived to find someone had covered the monument in sand and seashells.
The same is happening to some Holy wells around the country. Fair enough in the past bits of rag would be tied to trees by such wells but the rags were of cotton or other natural fiber which would rot away. Nowadays man made materials are used which don't.
If people do want to go to these sites for spiritual reasons ( as I have done myself) I wish they would think a bit before they go. Is it really necessary to stick candles to stones and leave a mess of wax all over them ( I've seen the mess they cause while visiting West Kennet long barrow), do you really need to draw symbols on monuments, or dig holes. As for offerings, think about it. Plastic and man made fibers do not rot as easily as natural products. If people must leave something then maybe a few wild flowers laid at the base of the monument and outside of burial chambers.
And most important of all, respect others who are visiting the monuments. They have just as much right to be there. Pagans do not have a monopoly over ancient monuments. All of us whatever we care to believe in have a right to go to these places. And I'm sure that we would all like to see them at their best and not damaged and covered in rubbish.
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Re: Castlerigg by Anonymous on Tuesday, 08 July 2008
They are in fact defacing a monument surely, which under the law is illegal, just because neopaganism has arrived in the world does'nt mean that they can high jack stone circles for their own particular religious use. Not sure of the answer, except notice boards, but EH is bringing out a document today about destruction of ancient monuments which should be interesting....
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Re: Castlerigg by Condros on Monday, 07 July 2008
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What an inept response from the officials, since what the "visitors" were doing is illegal, local constabulary could easily locate the perpetrators, and either jail them, and make them pay a hefty fine for their desecration. Just maybe it would signal to "visitors" that acts of vandalism to British heritage will not be tolerated.
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Re: Castlerigg by TheCaptain on Sunday, 06 July 2008
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I saw what I considered to be utterly disgraceful scenes at Castlerigg last Sunday, with several people there with a couple of "colourful" characters from (I believe) Guatemala blowing horns and smoking god only knows what, who proceeded to dig a pit and start a fire in the centre of the circle as part of some sort of "ceremony", while trying to get the other visitors and onlookers to join in with them.

Both myself and another challenged them about what they were doing, but got nothing but stuff about "feeling the love" etc etc.... I put my point about this being a criminal act, and damaging to history and culture, and would they do this in a church, but got short shrift. I had to leave, with about 15 friends, because it was so upsetting seeing such willful damage to this splendid place.....

I reported this to the national park office in Keswick afterwards, but they sort of shrugged their shoulders and said what could they do about it ? And that this sort of thing is getting more and more common....
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Re: Castlerigg by TimPrevett on Monday, 12 March 2007
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Castlerigg on YouTube
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Lunar Standstill July 2006 by Anonymous on Thursday, 13 July 2006
Managed to get an intermittent but totally majestic view of the mother moon on Tuesday night up at these marvellous stones having been there since Saturday. So so low in the sky and only to return in 19 years. What will have become of us in those years?
Crazy weather in Cumbria this week !!!!

Drums were beaten
Mead was drunken
Bashas were raised
Merriment was had.

Thank you Castlerigg


PS your only hope of being at the stones without stone-sitting tourists is to stay there all night. The briefest chance to commune one to one (or one to thirty eight as it were) is worth all the effort as this site is incredible.
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Re: Castlerigg stone circle by Anonymous on Tuesday, 25 April 2006
Visiting for lunar standstill in July. Anyone got any details of the alignments at Castlerigg or anything else I should know? Castlerigg virign and can't wait!!
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Re: Castlerigg stone circle by GAZ on Saturday, 04 September 2004
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My first visit to the stones at Castlerigg and I was not disappointed. When viewing the magnificent panoramic-landscape on this site, you can certainly appreciate the sensibility of the place. Stunning...Gaz
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