Druids in the Heart of Yorkshire
The North Yorkshire Dales Contain a Bizarre Victorian Stone Circle
The Druid's Temple, named by its builder in the 1800s, is a vast imitation of Stone Henge, complete with phallus, cave, and a circle of standing stones.
In the 1820s, William Danby of Swinton Hall decided to alleviate the area's poverty by building a replica of Stone Henge in the nearby village of Ilton in the North Yorkshire Dales, just outside of Masham. Paying men to erect this monstrous circle, it is, perhaps, very much what Stone Henge might have looked like, albeit on a much more diminutive scale.
This Victorian age stone circle is set deep in a forest comprised of Hawthorn, Ash and Evergreens. In the shadows of late afternoon, it is easy to see why Danby thought it a good place to build such a monument, even though it is looked on as a folly today, as it could never really compare to the original it seeks to represent. However, Danby's intentions were good, as he was attempting to help the poor gain employment. He has also left a very interesting landmark, which, in the centuries to come, may provide mystique that is not present today.
The walk around the Druids Temple, however, is well worth the time. A gentle, meandering path leads through the forest, with stone monuments throughout, and overlooks the lovely Leighton Reservior. The entire trail takes less than an hour to walk at a very leisurely pace, but there is absolute silence, with nothing but the sound of the wind in the trees and birds on the wind to disturb a hiker.
More Information about Danby
Danby also took over Swinton Hall, now Swinton Park. Swinton Park is the ancestral home of the Cunliffe-Lister family and this beautiful castle sits on 200 acres of land, with meandering streams and gorgeous gardens throughout. The first house built at Swinton Park was commenced in 1695 by Sir Abstrupus Danby. His successors built the stable block and gatehouse and, during the 1760s, planted the parkland and created the chain of five lakes.
William Danby published several works in his lifetime, before he died at aged 81. They were Travelling Thoughts, Thoughts chiefly on Serious Subjects, Thoughts on Various Subjects and Ideas and Realities, with an additional Extracts from Young's Night Thoughts, with Observations upon them This beautiful area of North Yorkshire is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the visit. Masham has a variety of pubs and shops, Swinton Park is a beautiful place to stay overnight and enjoy the scenery, and Druids Temple, with it's surrounding beauty, make this area a non touristy attraction with definite beauty and charm.
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