By today’s standards, the locations of stone circles can seem strange. Our ancestors had their own reasons for collecting stones where they did and we don’t always fully understand them. Things were very different 5,000 years ago.
Gunnerkeld stone circle is a good example. Today it is just next to the M6, north of Shap. Fortunately, the construction of the M6 didn’t damage it and it is a good example of a double circle. Its size is the same as Castlerigg, not too far away near Keswick, and the two may have been connected in some way. Shap seems to have been an important place, possibly because of its altitude, and there are many antiquities in the area.
The stone circle is in generally good condition although it now lacks the peaceful setting that many other circles enjoy.
