Druid's Temple

Ordnance Survey map reference: SD 292739.

Landranger map number: 96.

Latitude: 54.095 degrees.

Longitude: -3.05 degrees.

Architecture: Concentric ring, stones graded in height..

Length of the major axis: 25.9 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 25.9 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 1 metres.

Shape: Circle.

Number of stones in the circle originally: .

Number of stones in the circle now: 9.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 8

Burl rating of the circle: 1 (Good, worth visiting).

Thom reference for the circle: L5/1 Birkrigg Common.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: -.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: 1911, 1921.

Details of any finds at this circle: Pennine urn.

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

The circle lies on Birkrigg Common about 100m from an unfenced road that crosses the common, it is very easy to get to but can be difficult to find in summer when it is hidden by tall bracken. (As it was when I visited!) Many paths crisscross the common and it can be difficult to find a path that passes near the circle, the whole area is like a maze of bracken. The circle lies in a small round clearing in this bracken, it would be much easier to find in winter or spring.

A very neat little ring of small, white stones, the tallest at the north being just over 1m high. There are no central structures within the circle but there is an outer concentric ring of stones that is mostly hidden by the bracken. These outer stones are smaller than the stones of the central circle. Although the stones are not large it is an excellent circle to visit with a pleasing 'fairy ring' type of appearance. A circle that is a long way in time and perhaps original purpose than the other, more well known, massive rings of the lake district. It also commands excellent views over Morecambe Bay.

A neat little ring of concentric stones and a pleasing site to visit.

The site can be difficult to find in summer when the bracken covers the common.