Stonehenge, the world-renowned prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, is famed for its mystical and magical origins. It’s a staple on ‘must-visit’ lists for UK tourists and draws a significant number of visitors each year.

However, many may not be familiar with the lesser-known Rollright Stones, tucked away on a quiet road straddling the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire border near Long Compton village.

Despite not enjoying the same level of fame as Stonehenge, the Rollright Stones have left such a lasting impression on visitors that they were awarded TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2021.

The history of the stones

According to local legend, the ancient site of the Rollright Stones was once home to a king and his courtiers who were turned to stone by a witch. Regardless of the folklore, these megalithic structures, which span nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development, are open for public viewing.

The oldest structure at this historical site is the Whispering Knights burial chamber, built around 3,800-3,500 BC during the early Neolithic period. This was followed by the King’s Men stone circle, consisting of over 70 heavily weathered upright stones, constructed around 2,500 BC in the late Neolithic period. Lastly, the solitary King Stone made its appearance about 1,000 years later in the early to middle Bronze Age.

The origins of the name ‘Rollright’ remain shrouded in mystery, with some theorising it originates from Old English, while others propose it could be rooted in an ancient Celtic language.

The Stones themselves are made up of natural Jurassic oolitic limestone boulders, a material that forms much of the Cotswold hills and has been extensively used in the region for constructing everything from churches to houses and stone walls. It’s believed that the boulders used to build the Rollright Stones were likely gathered from within 500m of the site.

Over the years, the site has served as a spiritual hub for many Pagans who have used it for meditation and gatherings. In the 1990s, when the sites were at risk of being sold, a group of individuals, including numerous Pagans, formed the Rollright Trust and successfully secured ownership of the land.

Getting there

If you’re planning a visit to the Rollright Stones, they can be found on Rollright Road between the A44 and A3400, near the hamlet of Little Rollright, north of Chipping Norton.

Parking is available for several vehicles in a lay-by on Rollright Road. From there, a kissing gate leads to a level path towards the stone circle. Since parking space is restricted, visitors are asked not to use it as a base for an extended ramble.

Alternatively, you could leave your vehicle a bit further away and incorporate your trip into a longer hike, as the stones connect to a system of public footpaths and permitted routes, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Tickets and admission

The Rollright Trust, the custodians of the historic Rollright Stones, levies a modest £2 entry fee for adults and £1 for children aged 7-16 to help maintain the site, as it receives no other public funding.

The site is open all year round, even at night for those who enjoy stargazing. Visitors are welcome, including dogs on leads (though not within the stone circle), but are kindly asked to refrain from sitting or climbing on the stones.