Castlerigg is an impressive prehistoric Stone Circle in Cumbria. It is the most visited stone circle in Cumbria to date and only topped by Avebury Stone Circle. Thousands of tourist trek to the site to photograph, draw and wonder why and when and by whom it was built.
The stone circle is on the level top of a low hill with views across to Skiddaw, Blencathra and Lonscale Fell.
There are 38 stones in a circle approximately 30 metres in diameter. Within the ring is a rectangle of a further 10 standing stones. The tallest stone is 2.3 metres high. It was probably built around 3000 BC - the beginning of the later Neolithic Period - and is one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. It is important in terms of megalithic astronomy and geometry, as the construction contains significant astronomical alignments.
Although its origins are unknown it is believed that it was used for ceremonial or religious purposes.
