Swinside stone circle, which dates from the bronze age, is one of the most impressive stone circles in the lake district or cumbria and is considered to be amongst the finest in europe. Sunkenkirk stone circle, swinside, black combe, white combe, millom, cumbria. The neolithic swinside stone circle sunkenkirk stone circle photographic print by julian elliott. Not a book you will tire of quickly if stone circles are your thing. This littlevisited stone circle is one of the finest in britain and has 55 stones, though there were probably originally 60 stones. Thousands of years ago, people in britain painstakingly arranged huge blocks of stone into careful circles. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. Also known as sunkenkirk, from a legend that folk tried to build a church there. Swinside stone circle g laird geograph britain and.
Swinside stone circle, in the lake district, england. Welcome to the edge guide to the stone circles of cumbria. Dating from the bronze age swinside circle is one of the best preserved in the county. The stones are up to 10 feet 3 metres high and form what appears to be virtually a perfect circle, with an entrance on the. The drombeg stone circle is a little over an hour from cork, ireland by car.
This book is not only an elegant and practical guide, it is also the best single. Sunkenkirk stone circle, 230m south east of swinside. Prehistoric history of keswick and the surrounding lake. It is made of several standing stones, usually menhirs that are arranged in a certain way. The top destination for megaliths and prehistory worldwide. The nine ladies stone circle and their king stone arent built on the scale of stonehenge coming up to knee level and a handy picnic perch which can come as a bit of a surprise to those of us more used to stone circles such as long meg and her daughters in cumbria. The largest circle is known as brats hill and there are two nearby pairs of circles known as white moss and low longrigg. Originally 17 massive stones, it is now composed of stones.
The best known tradition of stone circle construction occurred across the british isles and brittany in the late neolithic and early bronze age, with over surviving examples, including avebury, the ring of brodgar and stonehenge. Dating from the bronze age, it lies about 23 miles ssw of castlerigg. Out of an estimated 60 original stones, 55 survive. Last year i bought a book on stone circles in the lake district, but still never got around to visiting the more out of the way ones. Elizabeth cody kimmel booklist elizabeth cody kimmel message board. The circle stands up a farm track about 3 miles west of broughtoninfurness, cumbria, in the southwest corner of the lake district. It is older and much bigger than its more famous cousin it is in fact the largest stone circle in the world, and is part of a much larger ritual complex that includes the long barrows and silbury hill. Swinside, which is also known as sunkenkirk and swineshead, is a stone circle lying beside swinside fell, part of black combe in southern cumbria, north west england. Swinside stone circle, cumbria m e g a l i t h i a.
As with many of burls other works, the great attraction is the space given to the lesserknown sites. One of around 1,300 recorded stone circles in the british isles and brittany, it was constructed as a part of a megalithic tradition that lasted from 3,300 to 900 bce, during what archaeologists categorise as the late. Nine ladies stone circle stanton lees, england atlas. Burl presents historical considerations of the stone circles, updated with his own and. Spirals on circles internationally recognised expert on stone circles, kevin rowandrewitt gives a fascinating presentation to new horizons saint annes on the 30th september 20. Cumbria, however, is one of the most densely populated regions for these prehistoric marvels, and also contains some of the most complete stone circles. In gentle isolation about a mile along a farm track, swinside, also known as sunkenkirk, stone circle is a lovely wellpreserved circle with a charm of its own. Aubrey burl in his book rings of stone suggests that ballynoe may have direct links with swinside stone circle in cumbria.
This beautiful, compact circle of 55 stones is considered by aubrey burl one of the finest stone circles of western europe. Casterton stone circle consists of 19 stones all under two feet high. There is a welldefined entrance at the southeast, where there are two portal stones outside the circumference. It is not always precisely circular, often forming an ellipse, or more rarely a setting of four stones laid on an arc of a circle. I parked the car on a roadside near the tiny village of broadgate and walked for 30 minutes or so to reach swinside, climbing up a steep hill before the track flattened out across the fell side offering views for miles to the north. It is not as well known as castlerigg, for instance, as it is well off the beaten track, but at 28. The circle stands in a superb setting amongst a mountain backdrop on artificially raised ground five miles north of the town of millom. The value of the monument is not only held in its above ground structural form, but also in its below ground archaeological deposits contained within features such as. It entails some interesting history about wales and the welsh struggle against english oppressions over the centuries.
The stone circles of wales and the fascinating reasons. Swinside, which is also known as sunkenkirk and swineshead, is a stone circle lying beside. Perfect neolithic stone circle, diameter about 90 feet, comprising 55 stones. Castlerigg, cockpit, swinside and burnmoor stone circles in the lake district are all free to visit. They are around 1 mile north of the village of boot. It was excavated in 1937 when it was found to contain several stone cists which in turn contained the remains of several cremations. It contains 55 stones, despite a local belief which claims it is impossible. A stone circle is a monument of stones arranged in a circle or ellipse. They are commonly found across northern europe and great britain, and typically date from the late neolithic and early bronze age eras, with most concentrations appearing from 3000 bce.
Filed under british history, british landscape, cumbria, english history, english myths and legends, historic churches in england, historic places to. Swinside is possibly the best stone circle in cumbria and is widely held to be one. Nine ladies stone circle stanton lees, england atlas obscura. Sunkenkirk was featured in episode three of bbcs history of ancient britain. Swinside stone circle, hallthwaites, millon, cumbria the northern.
They also made polished axes from the volcanic stones quarried high in the fells, these axes were traded as far away as ireland. The swinside stone circle is aubrey burls favourite. The stone circle shows us that birth and spirit were considered connected and that the best representation of that relationship is the cycle of life, a circle which travels forward in order to reach its beginning again. Fourteen year old cristyn is not happy when her college professor father announces that they are going to spend the summer in wales with another professor and her two. The stone circles of wales and the fascinating reasons behind them. Todays short walk cannot be described as a fell walk but it is interesting nevertheless. I learned only after reading the book that this was the authors first novel. A stone circle is a circular alignment of standing stones. The circle is on private land but can normally be accessed. Sunkenkirk stone circle, 230m south east of swinside, millom.
And yet, surely stone circles must have had another purpose. Sep 26, 2017 the top destination for megaliths and prehistory worldwide. Swinside is a spectacular cumbrian stone circle, approximately 28 metres in diameter, constructed of local slate and sitting on an artificially flattened plateau. Romance, sagas, short stories, spy story, suspense, technothriller. The value of the monument is not only held in its above ground structural form, but also in its below ground archaeological deposits contained within features such as stone sockets and infilled pits. They are very similar in construction and size, and there may have been a sea route. Wonderfully atmospheric in mist and quite remote, apart from the farm, the circle is unspoilt and complete. It is older and much bigger than its more famous cousin it is in fact the largest stone circle in the world, and is part of a much larger ritual complex that includes the long.
Swinside stone circle is widely regarded as one of the finest in europe, if not the world. Sunkenkirk stone circle, swinside, black combe, white. Sunkenkirk stone circle walking the cumbrian mountains. The stone circles of wales and the fascinating reasons behind. A couple of years ago we got talking to a farmer near by who told us he had some. The circle stands far from the main a595 road and nearly a mile from a back road that leads north from close to the village of halltwaites to cragg hall. This is just a taster of the history surround keswick and in the lake district. Very often, burial sites are in the circle, or nearby. It is found to the right of a footpath up a track to thwaites fell not far north o. Swinside stone circle is one of the three most important stone circles in cumbria, and consists of 55 stones set in a ninety foot diameter circle. Spam or selfpromotional the list is spam or selfpromotional. This bronze age stone circle is situated in a woodland clearing high on stanton moor. Although the circle is located on private ground, it can easily be viewed from a nearby public footpath.
Swinside stone circle g laird geograph britain and ireland. Discover nine ladies stone circle in stanton lees, england. Sunkenkirk swinside stone circle north of hallthwaites. I hope he can repeat the process at other circles in the future. Dating from the late neolithic or early bronze age, the stones are of porphyritic slates and form a. Also known as sunkenkirk and swineshead, swinside stone circle is another found in the lake district. Swinside britains most mysterious stone circles travel. The circle of stones may be surrounded by earthwork. Oct 18, 2008 it was excavated in 1937 when it was found to contain several stone cists which in turn contained the remains of several cremations.
Many years ago i had a walk up to the magnificent stone circle at swinside near millom, cumbria. Jul 25, 2017 the stone circles of wales and the fascinating reasons behind them. Swinside stone circle is one of the most impressive, and at the same time, one of the least visited, stone circles in britain. Aug 01, 2001 in the stone circle is more of a mystery than a horror story, with a touch of historical facts. Posts about english myths and legends written by sir gawain. Leaving cork, take n71 southwest through bandon and clonakilty approximately 55km.
Sunkenkirk stone circle, 230m south east of swinside is a wellpreserved and excellent example of a rare monument type. Swinside stone circle, cumbria, england site guide and. View all hotels near swinside stone circle on tripadvisor. Legend says this littleknown stone circle is formed from people petrified as punishment for dancing on the sabbath. This littlevisited stone circle is one of the finest in britain.
Like castlerigg, it dates from the neolithic period and its entrance seems to line up with the midwinter sunset. When one thinks of stone circles, the likelihood is that stonehenge and avebury are the first that come to mind. Great stone circles does cover the construction of swinside, but id liked to have seen more of this. Swinside stone circle broughton in furness 2020 all you. Swinside stone circle, cumbria showing standing stones swinside stone circle, cumbria leave a comment. Legend has it that the local people of swinside attempted to build a church on the site, but every night the devil would scupper their plans by knocking it down and placing the stones in a circle. Oct 06, 2016 swinside stone circle, in the lake district, england. It is as entertaining as it is informative, and the author conveys throughout his own enthusiasm for the subject. Spirals on circles kevin rowandrewitt new horizons 20. The neolithic swinside stone circle sunkenkirk stone. In the stone circle is a historical fiction book based in wales, england. Stanton drew stone circles stantonbury camp stanwick iron age fortifications stone circle stonehenge stoney littleton long barrow sweetworthy swinside temple wood templebryan stone circle the bridestones the bull ring the hurlers stone circles the longstones the merry maidens the sanctuary thornborough henges tinkinswood torhouse traprain law.
The burnmoor stone circles are a group of five different 4000yearold stone circles in cumbria. Find art you love and shop highquality art prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at. Outlander by diana gabaldon, in the stone circle by elizabeth cody kimmel, the china garden by liz berry, in the circle of ti. This is a fantastic stone circle that stands on a small plateau of land with thwaites fell to the north and more closely overlooked by swinside fell to the west which gives the site its alternate name of swinside circle. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. Stone circles are prehistoric monuments comprising one or more circles of upright or recumbent stones. The curious arrangement consists of nine upright stones purposefully set in a 30foot diameter circle. Also known as sunkenkirk stone circle, swinside stone circle is one of the big 3 stone circles in cumbria, the other two being 5383899 and 5511934.
Stone circle simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The main character cristyn and her father go to wales for the summer for her father to learn more about welshs history for a book he is writing. Burl concludes by reconstructing the social history of swinside in the lake district, describing the builders, their way of life, and the. The stones are up to 10 feet 3 metres high and form what appears to be virtually a perfect circle, with an entrance on the south east. There is such a feeling of peace and history in stone circles. A guide to the stone circles of britain, ireland and brittany. I thought it was about time to revisit the site and also take a look over the black combe and white combe areas. It is set at the edge of a rocky slope, in a beautiful greenbelt by the sea. Its alternative name is from a legend that the devil caused the stones, intended for building a church, to sink at night into the ground. Sep 1, 2015 explore karenherd7s board long meg and her daughters stone circle. This stone circle is locally known as the druids altar.
Also known as sunkenkirk stone circle, swinside stone circle is one of the big 3 stone circles in cumbria, the other two being ny2923. The best known tradition of stone circle construction occurred across the british isles and brittany in the late neolithic and early bronze age, with over surviving examples, including avebury, the ring of. Great stone circles will satisfy diverse appetites. See more ideas about canopy and stars, eden valley, wales england. Possibly the best of all the circles in cumbria and thankfully fairly easy to get to. This practical and knowledgeable guidebook deals comprehensively with the stone circles of britain and ireland and with the cromlechs and megalithic horseshoes of brittany. Feb 19, 2015 twentyfive miles north of stonehenge lies the neolithic stone circle of avebury. Drombeg stone circle rosscarbery, ireland atlas obscura. Swinside stone circle broughton in furness 2020 all.
The best known examples include those at the henge monument at avebury, the rollright stones and elements within the ring of standing stones at. The 4 lake district stone circles stone age and bronze age. A stone circle is an ancient monument of standing stones. Twentyfive miles north of stonehenge lies the neolithic stone circle of avebury. Swinside stone circle was constructed from local slate slabs on a foundation of packed pebbles some 5,000 years before you were born. This new edition includes a section on druidical circles, romantic creations of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Prehistoric history of keswick and the surrounding lake district. Its solemn symmetry invites the imagination to run wild what mysterious rites were once perform here. One of around 1,300 recorded stone circles in the british isles and brittany, it was constructed as a part of a megalithic tradition that lasted from 3,300 to 900 bc, during what archaeologists categorise as the late neolithic and. Posts about swinside stone circle written by lapoubelle1969. Descriptions, images and how to get there, and other stone age. Such monuments have been constructed in many parts of the world throughout history for many different reasons. A ouija board could have been an interesting addition in finding out who was trying to contact cristyn.
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