7 ancient and prehistoric places to visit in Cumbria

Did you know that hidden throughout Cumbria’s peaceful fields and small villages are some of the UK’s most important historic sites? Here we pick the ancient places to visit in Cumbria that we'd include in our visits.

Cumbria in the North West England is considered to be one of the most beautiful counties in the UK. And that is no surprise when you consider that this largely rural region includes the Lake District, the North Pennines, the Solway Coast, the Eden Valley and part of the Yorkshire Dales. It is also a place of deep history, as we shall see below.

Browse our listings of camp sites in the Lake District to find somewhere great to stay.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Over 5000 years old, Castlerigg Stone Circle is a truly dramatic sight surrounded by the beautiful Cumbrian mountains near Keswick. This is one of the earliest and most complete stone circles in the country. Traditionally it said that it is impossible to count the number of stones in the circle, and that each attempt will result in a different number. Fancy giving it a try?

Gamelands Stone Circle

The Gamelands Stone Circle can be found at the foot of Knott Scar near the quaint village of Orton. Although none of the stones are particularly tall - the tallest reaching around one meter – the oval site has a width of around 45 metres. Curiously, only 33 stones remain at the site out of the original 40. Please note that Gamelands is on private land therefore you should view the circle from Knott Lane.

Hadrian’s Wall

Cumbria is home to the longest visible stretch of the incredibly impressive Hadrian’s Wall which passes through the width of the county. There are also many other Roman structures and sites of interest here. There are many walks and cycle paths which explore sections of the wall or you can follow the Hadrian’s Wall Path national trail along its entire length. There are some excellent museums in Cumbria which tell the story of the wall, such as Tullie House in Carlisle.

Mayburgh Henge and King Arthur's Round Table

Mayburgh Henge is a large and impressive Neolithic site consisting of a circular henge with a standing stone at its centre. Just 400m away you will find King Arthur’s Round Table, another less impressive henge with a more impressive tale behind it: this henge dates back to 2000BC but much later it is believed to have served as King Arthur’s jousting arena.

Irton Cross

On first inspection, the charming St. Paul’s Church in the small settlement of Irton may seem like a simple, classic example of a Victorian Church, with banners and stained glass windows. However, out in the churchyard lies the ancient ten foot tall Irton Cross. Erected in the 9th century, the cross has managed to stand tall amidst Danish and Norse invasions. The cross is supposed to mark the crossing of four ancient tracks.

Long Meg and Her Daughters

Long Meg and Her Daughters is the third largest stone circle in the UK with a circumference of around 109m and dates back to around 2000 BC. According to legend, the 59 stones that make up the circle are the daughters of the witch Long Meg, whose 3.6 m stone stands 25 m southwest to the circle made by her daughters. The coven of witches was turned to stone by a Scottish wizard.

Fascinating history in incredible surroundings

Cumbria's stunning landscapes are full of myth and legend. Thanks to the stunning locations of these amazing historical sites, you are definitely in for a visit to remember.