While the iconic stones of Stonehenge capture the world's imagination, a lesser-known but equally magnificent prehistoric site lies quietly in the British countryside, waiting to be explored.
A Hidden Gem of Ancient Britain
Nestled on a peaceful road straddling the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire border near the charming village of Long Compton, the Rollright Stones form a spectacular megalithic complex that predates its famous Wiltshire counterpart. Despite its lower profile, this ancient site made a significant impression on visitors, earning TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award in 2021.
Local legend whispers that the site was once home to a king and his courtiers who were turned to stone by a witch. Beyond the folklore, these structures represent nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age history, all open for the public to experience firsthand.
Unravelling Millennia of History
The chronology of the Rollright Stones reveals a long and layered history. The oldest structure is the Whispering Knights burial chamber, constructed during the early Neolithic period around 3,800-3,500 BC.
This was followed by the King's Men stone circle in the late Neolithic period, approximately 2,500 BC. This circle consists of over 70 heavily weathered standing stones. The final addition was the solitary King Stone, which appeared roughly 1,000 years later during the early to middle Bronze Age.
The stones themselves are formed from natural Jurassic oolitic limestone boulders, the same material that constitutes much of the Cotswold hills and has been used for centuries in local construction. Experts believe these boulders were likely sourced from within 500 metres of the site.
Visiting the Rollright Stones Today
For those planning a trip, the Rollright Stones are located on Rollright Road between the A44 and A3400, near the hamlet of Little Rollright, north of Chipping Norton. A lay-by on Rollright Road offers parking for several vehicles, from which a level path leads to the stone circle via a kissing gate.
Due to limited parking, visitors are requested not to use the area as a base for long walks. Alternatively, you can park further away and incorporate the visit into a longer hike, as the site connects to a network of public footpaths.
The site is managed by the Rollright Trust, which was formed in the 1990s by a group including many Pagans to secure the land when it was at risk of being sold. The Trust charges a modest entry fee of £2 for adults and £1 for children aged 7-16 to fund upkeep, as they receive no other public funding.
The Rollright Stones are open year-round, even at night for stargazing enthusiasts. Dogs on leads are welcome, though not within the stone circle itself, and visitors are asked to refrain from sitting or climbing on the ancient stones.
