O.S MAP 89: GRID: 292237
Castle Rigg -ancient name - The Carles (Wise Elder) - is set in one of the most perfect locations. Thirty five stones stand majestically in flat meadow high on a plateau surrounded to the north by the mountains of Skiddaw and Lonsdale Fell; to the East, Clough Head and to the West by the Derwent Fells. It is a flattened circle, 107 feet (32m) at its widest and 80 feet (24m) along its main axis, which is aligned ENE. Prof. Thom discovered a lunar alignment with a distant notch in a mountain range, and a solar alignment at the Midsummer and Midwinter solstices. Castle Rigg is unique in having a small rectangular enclosure on its eastern side, two stones of which are aligned to the equinoctial rising sun in March and September.It is probably an early Bronze Age temple dating between 1800-2000BC.