Moor Divock

(See also Askham)

On the southwest edge of the Lakeland fells near Askham and Helton are a group of prehistoric remains. In 1885, a paper was published about this group of cairns, standing stones, and circles on Moor Divock. Many of the stones have either disappeared or fallen over from their standing position.

Follow an ancient cart track to locate these scattered remains, some of which date to the Bronze Age. There are various names given to the collections on this windswept heath, one of which is known as the 'Cockpit'. It's the largest at 90 feet in diameter. Another cairn circle in the area is 34 feet in diameter. It consists of 10 stones measuring up to three feet in height. In ancient times an avenue of low stones delineated one of the settlements. Urns, ashes, and bones were found at some of the sites. One cairn, 'White Raise' contained human bones.

The views from these stone circles on the moorland are worth the trouble of searching them out. They range from Helvellyn to Blencathra and across to the Northern Pennines. It's a wild and isolated atmosphere.

Askham Fell near Helton and Askham, off minor road south of Penrith. Ask locally for detailed directions if you don't have a walking map. Care must be taken as there are boggy areas on the moors.

For further route details and photographs try website: Graham Tickner Megalithic Walks

Photos courtesy of Graeme Dougal

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