While Stonehenge is undoubtedly the UK’s most famous prehistoric monument, few are aware of the Rollright Stones—a remarkable and lesser-known megalithic site nestled on a quiet country road along the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire border near the village of Long Compton.
Though not attracting the crowds that flock to Stonehenge, the Rollright Stones have earned their own acclaim, receiving TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2021, a testament to their enduring appeal.
Local legend tells a captivating story of a king and his knights turned to stone by a witch’s curse—the very stones that stand at the site today. Spanning nearly 2,000 years, this complex includes three main features from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
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The oldest monument is the Whispering Knights burial chamber, built between 3800 and 3500 BC in the early Neolithic era. Following this, around 2500 BC during the late Neolithic, came the King’s Men stone circle, comprising more than 70 upright oolitic limestone stones, many weathered but still standing tall. Approximately a millennium later, in the Bronze Age, the single King Stone was erected, completing the triad.
The name “Rollright” remains a puzzle, possibly derived from Old English or an ancient Celtic tongue, adding yet another layer of mystery to the site.
The stones themselves are made from Jurassic oolitic limestone native to the Cotswold Hills, the same material historically used to construct many local buildings, from churches to cottages. It’s believed the stones were sourced from within 500 meters of the site, blending naturally into their surroundings.
Throughout history, the Rollright Stones have been a spiritual sanctuary, particularly for Pagan groups who gather here for meditation and ceremonies. In the 1990s, when ownership of the land came under threat, a dedicated group—including local Pagans—formed the Rollright Trust to secure and protect this ancient heritage site.
Visitors can find the stones along Rollright Road, located between the A44 and A3400, near Little Rollright hamlet north of Chipping Norton. Parking is available on a roadside lay-by adjacent to the site, which leads via a kissing gate to a flat path directly to the stone circle.
Due to limited parking, visitors are encouraged to use nearby parking options and explore the wider public footpath network that links to the Rollright Stones for a scenic countryside walk.
The Rollright Trust charges a modest entrance fee of £2 for adults and £1 for children aged 7 to 16 to support ongoing preservation efforts, as the site does not benefit from public funding.
Open year-round and accessible day and night, the site is popular with stargazers and history enthusiasts alike. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, but visitors are asked to respect the stones by not climbing or sitting on them.
A visit to the Rollright Stones offers a rare opportunity to step back thousands of years and experience one of England’s most enchanting ancient monuments away from the crowds.