This ancient stone circle in the north-east area of Cumbria is one of the most impressive ancient stone circles remaining in Britian, and fairly difficult to find.

Penrith, the major town at the outside of the eastern side of the Lake District in Cumbria, is surrounded by historical monuments, ancient relics, and hidden treasures. One of these, an ancient stone circle called Long Meg and Her Daughters, lies about six miles south of Penrith in a village called Little Salkeld.

Ancient Stone Circle

There are sixty-nine stones in this enormous circle, erected about 1500 BC, which is bisected by a small farmers road, (which is also the road used by visitors). Long Meg is the tallest stone, standing about sixty feet outside the circle itself. There are at least three carvings on the red sandstone, two of them are spirals, pictured below. While many of the stones have fallen, many remain upright, and the size of some of them suggests their enormity when they were built. The sixty eight "daughters" are all made of granite, and no carvings can be seen in them.

According to legend, the stones were a mother and her daughters who were turned to stone for dancing and carrying on during the sabbath. Supposedly, the stone circle is magical, and the same number of stones can not be counted twice.

One of the most notable things about this circle is one of its most ardent admirers: William Wordsworth.

Below is his poem, "A Monument Commonly Called Long Meg":

A weight of Awe not easy to be borne

Fell suddenly upon my spirit, cast

From the dread bosom of the unknown past,

When first I saw that family forlorn;

Speak Thou, whose massy strength and stature scorn

The power of years - pre-eminent, and placed

Apart, to overlook the circle vast.

Speak Giant-mother! tell it to the Morn,

While she dispels the cumbrous shades of night;

Let the Moon hear, emerging from a cloud,

At whose behest uprose on British ground

That Sisterhood in hieroglyphic round

Forth-shadowing, some have deemed the infinite

The inviolable God that tames the proud.

William Wordsworth 1822

Long Meg in the 21st Century:

Today, a visitor can see that this circle remains sacred. On a small hazel tree there are ribbons and tied offerings swinging in the branches, much like an Indian Prayer Tree. Beneath Long Meg, people leave prayers, offerings of feathers, stones, and flowers, as well as requests written on paper. While children laugh and climb the huge stones, the circle retains a mystical, spiritual energy that could effect even the most staunch atheist. It is a spot of peace and tranquiltity, standing throughout the ages for those who search. Interestingly, just a third of a mile up the road from Long Meg, one of the largest stone circles, is one of the smallest, Little Meg. Virtually nothing is known about this tiny circle, and local farming has pushed most of the stones out of place. Grass covers them in the Spring and Summer months, making it difficult to find. The largest stone of the 11 left, however, does contain spirals and concentric circle carvings, much like those on Long Meg.

Directions

The first sign pointing to the circle is only about a mile from it. First, find Little Salkeld on a road map. The A686 is probably the easiest road to take, as well as a beautiful drive through some lovely little villages. The village itself has a cute little pub and a nice village green. Once in Little Salkeld, you will see the sign leading to the circle. This is a narrow, single lane, so be careful driving it, and be aware that it may be very muddy. Come with plenty of time, because once there, it is a calming, wonderful experience that you wont want to leave.