Coast to Coast

Oddendale Stone Circle, Coast to Coast

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Oddendale, near to the Oddendale Stone Circle

Oddendale, opposite to the Oddendale Stone Circle

Oddendale Stone Circle, Crosby Ravensworth Fell, Coast to Coast

Hidden within the rough upland pasture south west of the secluded hamlet of Oddendale, the Oddendale Stone Circle is one of the most intriguing prehistoric monuments beside the Coast to Coast route across Crosby Ravensworth Fell. Also known as the Oddendale Concentric Stone Circle, the Bronze Age complex consists of two separate stone rings: a large outer circle approximately 27 metres in diameter surrounding a smaller inner circle measuring around 7 metres across.

The stones stand within an elevated area of rough grassland beneath Hardendale Nab, their weathered forms blending quietly into the open limestone landscape. The smaller inner ring occupies a slightly raised platform and contains lower stones than those forming the outer circle, creating a distinct layered arrangement rarely encountered amongst the prehistoric monuments of eastern Cumbria.

Oddendale Stone Circle forms part of the wider Shap prehistoric complex associated with the Shap Stone Avenue, alongside monuments such as the Goggleby Stone and Asper Stone. Together, these ancient ceremonial sites reveal the remarkable concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age activity that once occupied the uplands surrounding Crosby Ravensworth and the upper Eden Valley.

Oddendale Stone Circle Crosby Ravensworth Fell


The Oddendale Stone Circle lies a short distance west of the Coast to Coast path south of the secluded hamlet of Oddendale. A well-worn track leaves the main route across the rough fell pasture and leads directly towards the prehistoric monument, whose weathered stones sit low against the upland grassland beneath Crosby Ravensworth Fell. Although modest in height, the concentric circles remain one of the most significant Bronze Age ceremonial sites in the eastern Lake District fringe, positioned between Oddendale hamlet and the dark conifer copse visible further south west across the open moorland.

Oddendale Circle Hardendale Nab


Excavations carried out in 1997 by Turnbull and Walsh revealed that the Oddendale Stone Circle underwent several phases of construction and alteration during prehistory. Archaeological evidence suggests that the concentric rings originally consisted of timber posts formed from oak during the late Neolithic period, dating between approximately 2872 and 2350 BC. These wooden settings were later removed and replaced with low stone uprights and pink granite cappings gathered from the surrounding landscape beneath Hardendale Nab, reflecting the long ceremonial importance of the site within the prehistoric uplands of Crosby Ravensworth Fell.

Oddendale's Inner Ring Bronze Age Cairn


During the early Bronze Age the inner circle at Oddendale was transformed by the construction of a ring cairn raised over the earlier ceremonial setting. The cairn surface incorporated contrasting blue-grey stones together with pale yellow-white limestone gathered from the surrounding fellside, creating a striking visual feature within the prehistoric monument. At a later stage a pink granite platform bordered by a kerb of red stones was added beside the cairn, demonstrating that the site continued to evolve over many centuries as an important ceremonial focus within the uplands south of Crosby Ravensworth Fell.

Hiking the Coast to Coast trail guide

Hiking the Coast to Coast is a digitally enhanced eBook designed to accompany you on your journey along the Coast to Coast path. Available on Apple Books for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the guide includes:
• Mapping with interactive features
• Step-by-step route directions
• Hundreds of colour photographs
• Route conditions in different weather
• Historical and cultural points of interest

Whether you’re planning your trip or already on the trail, it’s a practical and beautifully illustrated resource to carry with you.

Oddendale Stone Circle beside the Coast to Coast path on Crosby Ravensworth Fell south of the hamlet of Oddendale. The concentric rings of Oddendale Stone Circle beneath Hardendale Nab on Crosby Ravensworth Fell. The inner ring and Bronze Age cairn remains within Oddendale Stone Circle on Crosby Ravensworth Fell.