Monuments At Risk

Kirkoswald Castle and Long Meg

Two Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the Fellfoot Forward area – Kirkoswald Castle and Long Meg – are now in a better condition and have been removed from Historic England’s At Risk Register as a result of work carried out during the scheme.

Long Meg

Long Meg and her daughters is one of northern England’s most enigmatic ancient monuments. A huge Neolithic stone circle, it is the third largest in England and fifth largest in the British Isles. Protection of the site was identified as an important initiative for the Fellfoot Forward scheme as the scheduled monument was at risk from erosion damage, created by visitors parking and turning. The North Pennines National Landscape team worked with the local parish council, Historic England, the landowner, farmer, and local community to create a new car park, separate from the monument, and an enhanced visitor experience.

Visiting Long Meg and Her Daughters

The car park for Long Meg is located near Little Salkeld and Hunsonby, Penrith CA10 1NW (w3w:///revives.that.billiard) and it is a short walk to the stone circle is a short walk. Read about the slow trail to and around the site here.

Kirkoswald castle

The castle sits on the edge of Kirkoswald village and is a significant medieval monument with a complex history. It was surveyed by Historic England in 2004 and highlighted as ‘at risk’. The Fellfoot Forward scheme offered an opportunity to support the landowner to secure the castle’s future. Consolidation work on the remaining sandstone tower took place between 2021 – 2022 with heritage building specialists, Stone Technical Services, working alongside Mosedale Gillatt Architects. Read about the stonemasons’ experience here.

The castle has been fenced and visitor access, available on school and public holidays and by request, improved. There is interpretation at strategic points just outside of the site.

Visiting Kirkoswald castle

Schools and youth groups/organisations should email Kirkoswald school with the intended date of visit and length of time at the castle. School staff will liaise with the landowner and confirm your visit.

If you are a special interest group and would like to visit the castle, please email Andrew Pierce with your proposed date(s) and group information. Andrew will liaise with the landowner and confirm your visit. If you would like a guided walk to the castle, Andrew may be able to join you.

The landowner will open the gate to the site and access is across the moat. Please follow the health and safety guidance on the entrance gate and the waymarked route in and out of the site. There is no agreed access into the tower itself. The site is hazardous with very uneven ground and unstable masonry. All usual risk assessments and insurance should be undertaken by visiting schools and organisations.

The location of the suggested parking along the road side, without blocking farm gates, is Kirkoswald CA10 1DQ (w3w:///berated.modem.drag). The parking is suitable for a few cars or a small coach. Larger coaches will need to drop off and pick up.

You can also enjoy a slow trail at Kirkoswald, read the leaflet here.