Exploring the Less-Crowded Ancient Megaliths and Stone Circles of Moorland: A Serene Experience Away from Tourist Swarms at Stonehenge
**Exploring Britain's Ancient Sites: A Journey Through History and Myth**
Britain, home to a wealth of ancient sites, offers a fascinating glimpse into the past while weaving tales of myth and legend that continue to captivate visitors today. From lonely moorland megaliths to grand stone rings, these relics of bygone eras provide a neutral space for people to engage and talk during times of social schism.
In 2022, British photographer Alice Zoo was commissioned by National Geographic to document the people interacting with these ancient sites, capturing moments of connection and reflection. One such site is Bryn Cader Faner, a skeletal Bronze Age crown with 18 jagged, quartz-veined slates in a 30ft ring, located in Gwynedd.
England boasts several ancient sites, such as Wayland's Smithy, a barrow mound with two chambers and totemic sarsens at the entrance, located in a beech grove along the Oxfordshire Ridgeway. Local legend suggests that if you leave a horse and a coin outside overnight, the steed will be shod by morning. Rudston Monolith, the tallest standing stone in the country, found in the East Riding of Yorkshire, also has a rich history, its name reflecting its Christianization despite its heathen origins.
Cornwall is home to Mên-an-Tol, a site secluded on a wind-whipped moor and associated with fertility and healing. The site consists of two upright stones with a circular rock in between, and it is believed that women would pass through the hole to aid pregnancy.
Wales offers a unique landscape with ancient sites like Bryn Cader Faner, resembling a crown of thorns, and Bryn Celli Ddu, a passage tomb on Anglesey notable for its alignment with the midsummer sun, creating a spectacular beam of light into the burial chamber.
Britain's ancient sites range far and wide, including Clava Cairns, three monumental piles of Bronze Age pebbles near Inverness, and Lochbuie, the only stone circle on Mull, comprising eight hunks of granite.
Stone Club, a platform for stone enthusiasts, was opened in 2021 by Cornwall-based artists Lally MacBeth and Matthew Shaw. The club encourages users to contribute their own written and photographic accounts of personal stone quests, creating a community of individuals connected by their shared appreciation for these ancient sites.
The appeal of ancient sites seems to be growing wider, with a sea change coming with The Modern Antiquarian in 1998. Last year, the book 'Stone Circles: A Field Guide', co-authored by Vicki Cummings and Colin Richards, was published, offering a comprehensive guide to these fascinating relics.
In recent times, 'Ancient Britain for Modern Folk' by Tom Howells was published, providing an accessible exploration of Britain's ancient sites. Weird Walk, a 'journal of wanderings and wonderings from the British Isles', was founded in 2019 by James Nicholls, Owen Tromans, and Alex Hornsby, further fuelling the growing interest in these ancient sites.
For many, ancient sites like these are more than just historical landmarks. They are places steeped in folklore and history, offering a unique connection to the past that continues to captivate and inspire visitors today. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a curious novice, Britain's ancient sites offer a journey through time that is not to be missed.
- Alongside historic houses, the lifestyle community of Stone Club welcomes contributions from individuals captivated by ancient sites.
- For those interested in fashion-and-beauty, traversing Britain's landscapes can also provide an opportunity to indulge in food-and-drink offerings unique to various regions.
- Beyond just education-and-self-development, visiting ancient sites fosters a deeper understanding of the ancient technology that shaped early communities and societies.
- For sports enthusiasts, exploring ancient sites can be an exciting addition to travel itineraries, presenting challenges in traversing uneven, romantic terrain.
