The Rollright Stones is an old site on the border of Oxfordshire – Warwickshire, where history and folklore are together
The Rollright Stones, near Long Compton close to the border with Oxfordshire-Warwickshire, are the kind of place so you feel that you have entered a different world.
Old, weathered and wrapped in the legend, this collection of Megaliths has stood for thousands of years and saw the world around them change. If you ever wanted to walk where history and folklore collide, where witches, kings and old gods may still linger, this is the place.
Whether you are a fan of myths, a seeker of strange histories, or just someone who enjoys the sensation of an old stone circle on a windy hill, the Rollright Stones are worth the journey. Bring curiosity, a sense of wonder, and maybe – maybe – perhaps – an willingness to believe in a little magic.
A walk between the Rollright Stones
In contrast to the unspoilt formations of Stonehenge, the Rollright Stones are wild and irregular, formed by time and weather. These are not a smooth, sculpted monolith – they are lumpy, twisted, covered with lichen and full character. They feel old in the best possible way, as if they have seen things that nobody else remembers.
The site consists of three different monuments, each of a different era:
- The King’s men: A late neolithic or early stone circle of the Bronze Age, reportedly petrified knights. The stones lean and whisper under each other, standing in an almost perfect ring.
- The whispering knights: A neolithic burial room, older than the circle, with great leaning plates that look like they are playing conspiracy. Some say that these were treacherous knights in stone before they could betray their king.
- The King Stone: A lonely, weathered monolith from the Bronze Age, apart from the others. Local legend says it was once a powerful ruler, frozen in time by the spell of a witch.
There is no modern screens, no intrusive crowds, no separation between you and the past. You can walk between the stones, walk your hands over their rough surfaces and feel the weight of history that press against your palms.
The mystery of the countless stones
When history explains the stones, Folklore brings them to life. The most famous story is of a king and his army turned into stone by a powerful witch. The king, enthusiastic to rule the whole of England, met a mysterious old woman who offered him a challenge: take seven steps forward, and if he could see the village of Long Compton, he would be king.
He walked forward, but as he did, the earth himself came up to block his view. With a cackling, the witch spoke the fatal words:
“Stand on a stick and stay still,
You won’t be for King of England!
You and your men hoar stones will be,
And I am an older tree myself! “
And with that the king and his men froze in rock, trapped forever in the Rollright landscape.
Another strange legend claims that the stones can never be counted correctly. Try three times and you always get a different song. Some say it is a trick of the fae, others claim that it is a curse that is lagging behind the witch. Anyway, it’s a challenge – if you dare to take it.
There are whispers from witches that meet here, from stones that shift when nobody looks, from old rites that are still performed under the full moon. Some say that a hare who shoots between the stones, is the old witch itself, still keep watch.
How to visit and what to expect
The Rollright stones are not locked up behind barriers. They are open, wait to be explored. Whether you come to dawn, when fog curls around them or under the stars, when they feel the most alive, they always have a feeling of mystery.
- Open all year round, including at night, for those who want to see the stones under moonlight.
- Small registration fee (£ 2 adults, £ 1 children) via honesty box or online.
- Limited parking – only a few Laybys, so arrive early or be prepared to park further away.
- Wheelchair and printing company accessible, with fairly even soil.
- Dogs are welcome on leads, but they are not allowed in the stone circle.
- No climbing or sitting on the stones. They have been standing for millennia, let’s keep them that way.
- No fires, camping or drones. This is not just a tourist place, it is a holy site for many.
There is something special about the Rollright Stones. Maybe it’s the way they lean together, as if they whisper secrets. Perhaps it is the feeling that time here is folding here – that you could turn around and see a shady figure from the trees long ago.
Go for the adventure. Go for legends. Go to the stones and see if the magic is true. Whatever your reason is, because places like these exist not only in stories. They are real, wait and live with history, mystery and only a little bit of the unknown.
The Rollright Stones are located near the village of Long Compton on the border with Oxfordshire-Warwickshire. The nearest address for navigation is: the Rollright Stones, Rollright Road, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5QB. The site is easily accessible via the A3400, between Chipping Norton and Long Compton.
Have you visited the Rollright Stones? Have you tried to count them? Share your experience in the comments!
