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22-05-2003, 06:19 PM

I am wanting to do something for the summer solstice this year. I have heard that there is a gathering of people at castlerigg stone circle for the sunrise / sunset - is this true? Do many people attend and do any other activities go on? Please Help.

03-06-2003, 11:22 PM

There is not a lot that happens at Castlerigg for the solstice. A few people may turn up and just sit and watch it. There were problems with so called hippies up there a few years back but nothing since. I think a farmer once sprayed the roads and parking places around there with slurry to put the hippies off.

The main event is on the top of Helvellyn. Climb up to the evening sun and watch the sun rise over the fells. An amazing experience.

09-06-2003, 03:04 AM

Its a shame that you say only a few people turn up at casstlerigg for the summer solstice. I have once been to stonehenge for the solstice- however castlerigg is a much better location (though I have not visited on the solstice). I think the people in the region should make more of the occasion and turn it into a special event - the place is worthy of a special place in the lake district events calender.

09-06-2003, 03:25 AM

I think I would have to agree with Alan. Castlerigg is such a great place set in a magnificent location.

The people of Keswick and the surrounding area should make something more of the significant date that is the summer solstice.

It seems that people now-a-days have lost all touch with what once was a historic event in the yearly calender - meaning that we have also lost touch with one of natures main events (as we have lost touch with nature we have also lost touch with ourselves). I think we should make a concerted effort to rediscover our conection with nature & thus ourselves.

I for one shall be present at the solstice sunrise - and I would like to see a gathering of people who can share in this important event - people who can appreciate our connection to nature and understand the importance of the event.

I think it is time to rediscover this connection & for the people of the north to appreciate & value castlerigg stone circle as do the people in the south appreciate & value stonehenge.

10-06-2003, 04:53 PM

YAWN :roll:

11-06-2003, 03:35 AM

I am sorry for writing YAWN in my previous reply. I admit I am a gutless twat (who won't put their name next to their entry) and I have nothing more to do with my time than write stupid messages.

Well got to go - Emmerdale Farm is on. 8O

15-06-2003, 05:35 PM

A few of us were thinking of coming up to castlerigg from newcastle. We are not new age hippies or anything like that. We are just a group of mates who want to do something for the solstice in a special location (weather permiting!).

It would be good if a quite a number of people turned out at castlerigg - although i don't know what the people of keswick are like for celebrating events like this + having a good time?

(By the way what are those messages about from the person who goes by the name of 'Guest' - is this just a 'kid' messing about?)

Jim Peet · 16-06-2003, 03:19 PM

I'll be over for the solstice, but celebrating it on the top of Helvellyn. We did go to Castlerigg once but the national trust had closed it. We went in anyway, there were about a dozen of us there. The next year we went up Helvellyn instead. There was a great crowd up there and the experience was much more magical than anything I have ever known. Have not managed to get back there since, but this year me and a couple of good friends will be up there.

16-06-2003, 11:50 PM

There are about 10 of us wanting to come to Castlerigg for the Solstice, but rather than watch the sun come up on Friday night/Saturday morning, we want to come on Saturday to see the sun set and rise on Sunday (we all have work commitments on Friday).

Will anyone else be around on Saturday?

I had heard that there was an organised event on Saturday and I was hoping either the Pagans or Druids would be holding a rite.

Does anyone know if we will be able to camp near to the circle? I wouldn't like to think that we get there and it has been closed and we will have to travel miles to a campsite.

17-06-2003, 12:29 AM

It sounds as though a few people are interested in the solstice. Me & a couple of friends will definitely be coming over to the lakes but we are now unsure where to go - castlerigg or helvelyn?
Can anyone shed any light on what kind of people attend helvelyn for the sunrise ie. Is it just 'walkers' or are there any other kinds of people there, such as pagans etc, and do any other events take place up on the mountain like music and so on.
We would much prefer a good mix of people expressing different beliefs and there for different reasons - but coming together for this one event.

17-06-2003, 12:33 AM

We think we will probably be going to castlerigg - but can anyone tell me if the area will be closed of? Does anyone know what happend last year?

17-06-2003, 12:50 AM

I must say that Helvellyn sounds good, but I think the circle will be more powerful. The henges and circles of Europe were built for the purpose of celebrating the solstices and equinoxes...in my opinion anyway.

I hope some of you come too, it would be nice to have a decent sized gathering...why don't you all watch the sun rise on the top of Helvellyn then come down and watch the moon rise with us in the circle.

Dance Well

17-06-2003, 11:00 AM

I think it would be shocking if castlerigg is made unaccessible on the solstice by the National Trust (re Jim Peet). What do they think they are doing. I am not a Pagan or Druid or whatever but I can appreciate what the solstice means to those people.
Just let these people get on with whatever it is they do!!!
I won't be attending the solstice (to old for that now- I'm 64!) but let me know what happens on the solstice. I will be complaing to the National Trust if they prevent people from enjoying themselves.

Enjoy!!!

18-06-2003, 09:26 PM

Thank you everyone for your replies to my initial question (posted on the 22nd of May). I will be off to castlerigg for the solstice. I think Mr Elrowein is right in saying that castlerigg will be a powerfull place to be on this special occasion.

We hope to see many people there enjoying themselves!

19-06-2003, 01:24 PM

Done a bit of a search on t'internet and found loads of info about Castlerigg at the Summer Solstice. There was 100 to 150 back in 96 and 200 to 250 more recently. Hopefully I'll see ya there