Pagan sacred sites near me are fascinating places that hold deep spiritual and historical significance. These sites, often located in nature, offer a connection to the ancient beliefs and practices of paganism. They are places where rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings take place, providing an opportunity for pagans to connect with their spiritual roots. These sites could include ancient stone circles, such as Stonehenge in England or Avebury in Wiltshire, as well as other natural landmarks like caves, mountains, or springs. Exploring these sites can offer a unique insight into the rich pagan traditions and beliefs that have shaped our world. Whether you are a pagan yourself or simply an enthusiast of ancient religions, visiting these sacred sites can be a profound and enlightening experience.
Ley lines are straight tracks or lines, essentially energy grids, that stretch across the earth in every direction. The ancients were said to have marked these lines with stone monuments and pagan temples. This definition makes sense but doesn’t provide the whole picture of what ley lines truly are. Our ancient ancestors could feel the magic and power emanating from these energy lines, and so they marked them. They set up natural sanctuaries and called the intersections of ley lines their sacred sites. But are these ley lines still in existence? How do these ancient ley lines affect us in modern times? How can we find local ley lines and harness this energy?
Windmill Hill is presumed to be a place of festival, feasting and ritual, excavated in depth throughout the early 20th century, the findings of which are on dispay in the nearby Alexander Keillor museum. Myths aside, The National Trust lists 38 stones, some up to 10m in height, the site being one of the first ever to be purchased by the Trust in 1913.
Whether you are a pagan yourself or simply an enthusiast of ancient religions, visiting these sacred sites can be a profound and enlightening experience..
Pagan Britain: The UK's Ancient Sacred Sites
The term Pagan comes from the Latin paganus—literally ‘rustic’ or ‘yokel’—used by invading Romans to denigrate pre-Christian faiths considered backwards and inferior to their own.
Little is known of these prehistoric Pagan religions, other than what can be interpreted from their mysterious monuments and relics found in all corners of the British Isles. Archeologists know there must have been a strong astronomical interest with layouts aligned with the solstices and equinoxes, ancestor worship seems to have featured prominently, as well as ominous sacrificial rituals.
Much of the rest of our understanding comes from guesswork, a vacuum which has been readily filled by millenia of romantic myth and folk legends from King Arthur onwards.
But for a country so obsessed with its origin myths, it’s surprising how little is known about Britain’s thousands of sacred Pagan sites. There are stone circles, henges, burial mounds, even an entire preserved village. Everyone knows the most famous henge, but what about the others? Read on for some of the UK’s most fascinating Pagan sacred sites.
Pagan Britain
On this page:
- Avebury
- Castlerigg
- Long Meg
- Seahenge
- Pentre Ifan
- Neolithic Orkney
- Calanais Standing Stones
- Beltane Fire Festival
- Stonehenge
Avebury World Heritage Site, home to the world's largest prehistoric stone circle
Avebury World Heritage Site
Avebury World Heritage Site is renowned for Prehistoric and Neolithic sites that rival Stonehenge in size, range and atmosphere, if not notoriety.
The site is understood to have been of spiritual and ceremonial importance for Neolithic pilgrims. Avebury Henge, built around 2500 BC, is the world’s largest with more than 100 megalithic stones arranged in a vast circle. The Sanctuary is a particularly mysterious site, possibly connected with human sacrifice. West Kennet Long Barrow is an impressive burial chamber, being one of the largest and most detailed examples still in existence, built around 3650 BC. Windmill Hill is presumed to be a place of festival, feasting and ritual, excavated in depth throughout the early 20th century, the findings of which are on dispay in the nearby Alexander Keillor museum.
It’s recommended to start exploring Avebury at the Alexander Keillor museum, then walk between the sites, all of which are a manageable distance apart. The hike up Windmill Hill is a 1.5 mile moderate incline. Access is not permitted to Silbury Hill but the pyramid sized mound can be viewed from afar.
Avebury World Heritage Site
Free entry for all sites during daylight hours. Parking is free for English Heritage or National Trust members, who co-manage and care for the sites.
More info: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury
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Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Lake District
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The Castlerigg Stone Circle, commanding an impressive location in northern England’s Lake District, are thought to be Britain’s oldest stone circle, dating back to 4000 - 5000 BC. The stones come with their own myth; that you can’t count the same number of stones twice, as they’ll vary in quantity on every circumnavigation. Myths aside, The National Trust lists 38 stones, some up to 10m in height, the site being one of the first ever to be purchased by the Trust in 1913.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Free Entry, 2 hour walking loop from / to Keswick town centre.
The mound is beautiful – luscious greenery and centuries-old trees dot this man-made hillside that overlooks the Bay. Walking to the top of the mound, I received flashes of the Tocobaga tribe that once inhabited the site. I saw a woman wearing a necklace of shells and tree fronds on her clothing. The hustle and bustle of an entire civilization of people traveling up and down the mound. I chose a park bench on the front side of the Tocobaga Mound, as far away from the other park visitors as possible. It was quiet and I made it known to the spirits I was there in peace and just wanted to connect to better understand. I stated aloud clockwise motion meant yes and counterclockwise motion meant no. I asked the spirits if they were nature spirits, they confirmed. Then I asked if there were native spirits there, they confirmed. When asked if the spirits there were angry, they confirmed.
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Reviews for "Sacred Spaces and the Pagan Experience Near Me"
1. John - ⭐⭐ - I was really disappointed with the "Pagan sacred sites near me" tour. The guide seemed disinterested and didn't provide much information about the sites we visited. The sites themselves were also underwhelming. I expected something mystical and magical, but it just felt like a regular walk through the woods. Overall, it was a lackluster experience that didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Sarah - ⭐ - I regret taking part in the "Pagan sacred sites near me" tour. The whole experience felt like a scam. The tour guide lacked knowledge and didn't seem passionate about the subject matter. Moreover, the sites we visited were poorly maintained and not properly marked, making it difficult to appreciate their significance. I would not recommend this tour to anyone interested in exploring pagan sacred sites.
3. Alex - ⭐⭐ - I found the "Pagan sacred sites near me" tour to be underwhelming. The guide provided minimal historical background and lacked the enthusiasm to make the tour engaging. The sites themselves were not well-maintained, and it felt like the whole experience was rushed. I would have appreciated a more immersive and knowledgeable tour that truly highlighted the significance of these pagan sacred sites. Unfortunately, this tour fell short of delivering a memorable experience.