Sunday 13 November 2011

The stones at Rollright


(Please click image for larger wide-angle view)

The Rollright Stones are situated on a high point overlooking our part of the Cotswolds, near Chipping Norton. A bleak spot at most times of the year; I have never been here without feeling a chilly blast which strips away any remnant of sun warmth.




This area includes a few ancient artifacts and the main one is the Neolithic circle known as 'The King's Men' dating from around 2500 BC. As far as stone circles go, it is rather small, but very pleasing to look at.




Legend has it that you can never count the stones and get the same figure - if you do manage it three times in a row, you get a wish. We tried it, and failed - it is almost impossible to do, as there are piles of stone which could be one, two or several counts, depending on who is counting! But as you can see from the well worn track, many people try. The agreed figure is seventy seven.





The stones are limestone, which is the bedrock of this part of the Cotswolds and have been weathered into grisly contortions.





It is possible to hire the stones for ceremonies, weddings, even as a film set. There had been some kind of *happening* recently, for we found - in the centre of the circle - the remains of a small fire, with a bouquet of foliage, some strewn pennies and, tucked into the crevice of a nearby stone, a flower.




A short walk takes us across to the 'Whispering Knights' - actually a 5,000 year old dolmen or burial chamber. Also facing the elemental blast from across Oxfordshire, the winds whip around the stones, making it a melancholy spot for a resting place.





In grand, royal solitude, on the other side of the road, stands the King Stone: the King whose men stand in a circle across the way and whose knights whisper conspiracies against him.
Here it is warmer, as a copse of trees acts as a wind break. More prosaically, little is known about this stone, except that it may be Bronze Age. Although only a minute's walk from the circle, the road splits the counties and this megalith stands in Warwickshire.




To read more fact - and legend - about the stones, please visit -


8 comments:

  1. Ohh how I love this post, I too have failed to count the Rollright's. I used to go walking there in the Autumn when I was at Uni.

    Have you ever been to Buscot Park, near Faringdon.
    It has the sleeping beauty frieze by Burne-Jones. It is also one the most lovely Georgian houses, you can picture an Austen lady and her beau in the gardens.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a curiosity. I have traveled through the Cotswolds on a tour bus with university students, so now I would love take a car and drive the English countryside to discover such wonderful treasures. I am glad you shared your day at Rollright's with us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing. I'll probably never, ever make it to England, let alone your beautiful and gracious corner of it, but I feel like I've seen some of the most amazing sights of that area while looking over your shoulder.
    Such ancient stones, they look like they've seen so much history passing before them. Thank you again, for sharing the wonderful places and people.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How totally fascinating ! The age of these monuments astound me (2500 BC)

    Just think...the USA is not even 300 years old yet.......just amazing!

    Magical place

    Janet xox

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gretel, I'd never before known about these Stones. I enjoyed all the links, particularly the U tube with the wind, birdsong, narration and pure camera work.

    Nothing much like that around here. xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. I remember taking my children there when they were tiny.
    It is a hauntingly beautiful place. My in laws walked around
    The circle in opposit directions and came up with the same
    Number. I think they has lived together so long that they
    were in each other's head. They were very sweet.
    Thanks again for sharing brought back great memories.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is so close to home, but I haven't managed to see it yet...thanks for all the links!
    Cristina

    ReplyDelete
  8. In light of the pleasure your blogs have given me, I am awarding you the Liebster Blog award over at my blog. xx

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...