Not a henge

Although known as Mayburgh Henge, this prehistoric monument just outside Penrith is not actually a henge, as a henge has been defined as being made of earthworks and having an inner platform, as seen at nearby King Arthur’s  Round Table. Nevertheless, Mayburgh is one of the most impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain. Its massive banks, made of rubble from the nearby Lowther and Eamont Rivers, are at least three metres high and the flat surface in the centre is an area greater than three football pitches. Although it is close to the motorway and there are a few buildings around, inside it has a quite breathtaking aura and one feels cut off from the surroundings and circled by distant hills on all sides.

There is just one lone megalith in the centre. 18th century records describe eight stones - four in the centre and two at each side of the entrance, which is where I was standing to take the photo. The others have obviously gone missing in subsequent years.

Mayburgh is very close to King Arthur’s Round Table, although a modern road and buildings are now in the way. It is thought that Mayburgh could have been a stadium for gathering a huge number of people from a wide area and then there could have been a ceremonial procession to the henge, which has an alignment with the sunrise of the winter solstice. The fact that the two entrances align plus evidence from excavation in the area provides some evidence for this theory. Certainly standing in Mayburgh it is easy to imagine the place full of people ready for a ceremony of some kind. 

In my photo I was trying to give some idea of the sheer size of Mayburgh. It’s a shame about the house roof, but it can’t be helped. 
Extras: the lone standing stone, Gordon on the top of the mound to give an idea of the height of it - he had walked all the way round whilst I was taking photos.

Mayburgh Henge is cared for by English Heritage and there is a sign and a car park, but I don’t think it is very much visited, which is a shame as it is more impressive than some other more popular prehistoric sites.