The Rollright Stones is an ancient site on the Oxfordshire – Warwickshire border where history and folklore intertwines
The Rollright Stones, near Long Compton close to the Oxfordshire-Warwickshire border, are the kind of place that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Ancient, weathered, and wrapped in legend, this collection of megaliths has stood for thousands of years, watching the world change around them. If you’ve ever wanted to walk where history and folklore collide, where witches, kings, and old gods might still linger, this is the place.
Whether you’re a lover of myths, a seeker of strange histories, or just someone who enjoys the thrill of an old stone circle on a windswept hill, the Rollright Stones are worth the journey. Bring curiosity, a sense of wonder, and maybe—just maybe—a willingness to believe in a little magic.
A Walk Among the Rollright Stones
Unlike the pristine formations of Stonehenge, the Rollright Stones are wild and irregular, shaped by time and weather. These aren’t smooth, sculpted monoliths—they’re lumpy, twisted, covered in lichen, and full of character. They feel old in the best possible way, as if they’ve seen things no one else remembers.
The site is made up of three distinct monuments, each from a different era:
- The King’s Men: A late Neolithic or early Bronze Age stone circle, said to be petrified knights. The stones lean and whisper among themselves, standing in a near-perfect ring.
- The Whispering Knights: A Neolithic burial chamber, older than the circle, with great leaning slabs that look as though they’re conspiring. Some say these were traitorous knights turned to stone before they could betray their king.
- The King Stone: A solitary, weathered monolith from the Bronze Age, standing apart from the others. Local legend says it was once a mighty ruler, frozen in time by a witch’s spell.
There’s no modern fencing, no pushy crowds, no separation between you and the past. You can walk among the stones, run your hands over their rough surfaces, and feel the weight of history pressing against your palms.
The Mystery of the Uncountable Stones
If history explains the stones, folklore brings them to life. The most famous tale is of a king and his army turned to stone by a powerful witch. The king, eager to rule all of England, met a mysterious old woman who offered him a challenge: take seven strides forward, and if he could see the village of Long Compton, he would be king.
He strode forward, but as he did, the earth itself rose up to block his view. With a cackle, the witch spoke the fateful words:
“Rise up stick and stand still stone,
For King of England thou shalt be none!
Thou and thy men hoar stones shall be,
And I myself an elder tree!”
And with that, the king and his men froze into rock, trapped forever in the Rollright landscape.
Another strange legend claims that the stones can never be counted correctly. Try three times, and you’ll always get a different number. Some say it’s a trick of the fae, others claim it’s a curse left behind by the witch. Either way, it’s a challenge – if you dare to take it.
There are whispers of witches meeting here, of stones that shift when no one is watching, of ancient rites still performed under the full moon. Some say a hare seen darting among the stones is the old witch herself, still keeping watch.
How to Visit and What to Expect
The Rollright Stones aren’t locked away behind barriers. They’re out in the open, waiting to be explored. Whether you come at dawn, when mist curls around them, or under the stars, when they feel most alive, they always hold a sense of mystery.
- Open year-round, including at night, for those who want to see the stones under moonlight.
- Small entry fee (£2 adults, £1 children) via honesty box or online.
- Limited parking—just a couple of laybys, so arrive early or be prepared to park further away.
- Wheelchair & pushchair accessible, with fairly even ground.
- Dogs welcome on leads, but they’re not allowed inside the stone circle.
- No climbing or sitting on the stones. They’ve stood for millennia, let’s keep them that way.
- No fires, camping, or drones. This isn’t just a tourist spot, it’s a sacred site for many.
There’s something special about standing among the Rollright Stones. Maybe it’s the way they lean together, as if whispering secrets. Maybe it’s the feeling that time folds in on itself here—that you could turn around and see a shadowy figure from long ago watching from the trees.
Go for the adventure. Go for the legends. Go to count the stones and see if the magic holds true. Whatever your reason, go- because places like this don’t just exist in stories. They’re real, waiting, and alive with history, mystery, and just a little bit of the unknown.
The Rollright Stones are located near the village of Long Compton on the Oxfordshire-Warwickshire border. 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? Did you try to count them? Share your experience in the comments!
