green grass field with rocks and mountains in distance

What is the oldest stone circle in the UK?

The oldest stone circle in the UK is likely Castlerigg Stone Circle, located near Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Why is Castlerigg Considered the Oldest?

  • Estimated to have been constructed around 3,000 BCE, during the Neolithic period, making it over 5,000 years old.
  • Older than Stonehenge and Avebury, which were built in later phases of the Neolithic and Bronze Age.
  • One of the best-preserved and most scenic stone circles in the UK, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Other Ancient Stone Circles in the UK:

  • Stenness Stones (Orkney, Scotland) – Dated to around 3,100 BCE, possibly even older than Castlerigg.
  • Avebury (Wiltshire, England) – Built around 2,600 BCE, the largest stone circle in Europe.
  • Stonehenge (Wiltshire, England) – Famous but slightly younger, with its main stones erected around 2,500 BCE.

Castlerigg remains one of the most mystical and atmospheric stone circles, set against a dramatic Lake District landscape, and is freely accessible to visitors.