Bardsea – Birkrigg Common |

Bardsea village from Sunbrick Stone Circle on Birkrigg Common (© Joan Martin). Also known as Birkrigg Stone Circle and the Druid’s Temple, this is a lovely little Bronze Age circle sitting on Birkrigg Common, close to the village of Sunbrick. This is the only concentric circle (two rings of stones) in Cumbria. The inner ring of 10 stones has a diameter of 9m and the outer ring (now not so noticeable) had 15 stones and a diameter of 26m. Excavations of the inner ring in 1921 revealed a paved area and the remains of five cremations, one in an inverted collared urn (now in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle). It is thought that one of the stones may have been carved to resemble the head of a sperm whale.

This fairly energetic walk starting from Bardsea Beach has the huge reward of one of the finest views in northern England. The whole of Morecambe Bay and the Furness peninsular is framed to the north by the Lakeland Fells and to the east by the Yorkshire Dales. The neolithic stone circle on the way down adds to the interest. Refreshments and toilets available on Bardsea Beach.

➣ Start/Finish: Bardsea Beach (free parking)
➣ Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
➣ Ascent: 500ft. (150m)
➣ Difficulty: Moderate
➣ Accessibility: No

Interactive Route Map