Castlerigg stone circle is one of the oldest stone circles still surviving. The circle consists of 38 stones of variable sizes and shapes; some of the boulders stand over 5 feet in height, although some have fallen in the 5000 years since their erection. It has been estimated at 3200BC, and just inside the eastern end of the circle is a group of 10 stones forming a rectangular enclosure known as a cove, the purpose of which is unknown.

On a more mysterious level, the circle has been the focus of one well-recorded sighting of strange light phenomena. In 1919 a man called T. Singleton and his friend watched as white light-balls moved slowly over the stones. Strange lights seem to be a recurring theme at ancient sites throughout the world, they may have been one of the reasons ancient man built monuments at specific sites such as this one. There has been a lot of speculation as to their nature and it's most probable they are part of some natural phenomena.

There is a clear entrance on the north side of the circle and a stone axe has been found within the circle which is about one-third of an acre in area. The C2C route passes this stone circle on its high moor in the open bowl of hills above Keswick. It's a spectacular setting with a breathtaking panorama. 

Information and Photograph Keswick Tourist Board