Stone Circles near Keswick UK Lake District

North Cumbria Stone Circles - Castlerigg Stone Circle (thought to be c.3,000B.C)

Really it is the mountain context that encircles Castlerigg Stone Circle that makes it rather special. Those Druids picked the perfect flat top to set their temple on. The ancient stones, about 40 of them, are about 200 metres above Keswick. Hey up, 'lazy walkers', it's only a quick stroll from Keswick. There is a road that leads up to it as well. Be prepared for a few dirty looks if you drive it!

And what views of some of the most superb Fells in Lakeland. Over in the North spot Blencathra, to the south High Rigg and the Helvellyn lot. A natural frame at it's best!

The stones themselves are almost all glacial erratics, dumped on Castlerigg Fell by a retreating glacier at the end of the last Ice Age, which is about 14,000 years ago! This circle is thought to have been erected around 3,000 B.C, and is linked, date-wise, to the popularity of the stone axe industry which was prevalent in the Lake District during the Neolithic period. Some Cumbrian stone axes have been found over the last century within the circle. You can see one of these in the Fitz Park Museum in Keswick.

Considerable effort went into erecting these stones 5000 years ago, with primitive tools. Now then, just what were their purpose? Worship and/or human sacrifice (the popular choice), useful axe sharpeners and integral to the stone axe trade, or perhaps astronomical observatories. No definite proof for any of these I'm afraid, conclusions tend to lead to the fact they had several functions to local communities, and perhaps including all of the above. You couldn't ask for a more exquisite spot to sharpen your axe that's for sure! Various useful leaflets on the subject can be found at Moot Hall, the tourist information point in Keswick square.

• East Keswick Accommodation
• East Keswick Guest Houses

Bassenthwaite Lake and Elva Plain Stone Circle

Owned by the Lake District National Park Authority, Bassenthwaite Lake is approximately 4 miles long and _ mile wide, and is one of the shallowest waters in the Lake District at only 70 ft.

On the western side there is a shore path, but on the eastern side there is no access to the lake shore. Sailing on this lake is only by The Bassenthwaite Sailing Club, you have to be a member of this to sail on this lake!! No high speed motor boats etc. on this lake! Vendace are the rare breed of fish in Bassenthwaite, and also in nearby Derwentwater.

• East Keswick Holiday Cottages
• East Keswick Holiday Apartments

Elva Plain Stone Circle Near Keswick

Elva Plain Stone Circle lies on the southern slope of Elva Hill. From here the view to the east is dominated by Skiddaw, across Bassenthwaite Lake. Situated on a level terrace on a hillside, the 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40 metres in diameter.

The site probably dates from late Neolithic times, and has been linked with the trade in Neolithic axes. The route was from the factory sites in the central fells through Borrowdale and over the hills east of Bassenthwaite. The circle is on private ground belonging to Elva Farm, but may be approached on a footpath from the Cockermouth to Higham Hall Road.

The site probably dates from late Neolithic times, and has been linked with the trade in Neolithic axes. The route was from the factory sites in the central fells through Borrowdale and over the hills east of Bassenthwaite.

The circle is on private ground belonging to Elva Farm, but may be approached on a footpath from the Cockermouth to Higham Hall road. Poetry and legend abound around Bassenthwaite, thought to be inspiration for both Tennyson who spent some time with his mate James Spedding at Mirehouse. The Lake in the poem Morte d'Arthur is thought to be Bassenthwaite.

• Accommodation near Keswick
• Guest Houses near Keswick