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Lake District Swinside
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From Exit 40 on the M6
head for the A686 and after a couple of miles, after the turning to Great
Salkeld, cross the single lane bridge and take a left to Little Salkeld.
Drive through the village and there is a sign directing you to the
“Druid Temple”. Follow the signs to reach the site.
Long Meg and Her Daughters This is the first site we have visited, except for the Nine Ladies excavation in Derbyshire, where other people have been there. A team from Exeter University were preparing a detailed survey and were in the process of pegging out the site. It was fairly early in the morning and freezing cold as the sun hadn’t come out to burn off the fog so the photographs are somewhat atmospheric.
Spiral Carvings on Long Meg This is the 6th
largest stone circle measuring some 360 by 300 feet (109.4 by 93 metres)
and is similar in scale to the nearby Mayburgh Henge. The northern arc
towards the farm is flattened and there are two large block like stones
marking the east and west points of the circle.
View of the east/west large stones Some 70 stones survive
today in this very impressive site. Long Meg itself on the southwest is a
12 feet (3.6 metres) high sandstone pillar with two spiral carvings facing
the circle where two extra portal stones define the entrance.
Entrance portals |
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Long Meg in the mist |
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View of Long Meg from the east |
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