Sentinel

There are two very old ash trees standing inside the stone circle of Long Meg. They look as if they guard the ancient monument and indeed they probably do. This one is huge and misshapen. It has lost major limbs, but it remains healthy and, hopefully, disease free.


Another of the Top 50 Cumbrian Trees.



I always feel very sad when I come here. Here is one of the largest and most complete stone circles in the country and it is not in the least bit cared for. I think the trees protect it more than man does. The land is a farm field and for most of the year has cows in it, so the ground is churned up, rutted, very muddy and not at all easy to walk on. There is no encouragement for visitors whatsoever – no information, no signs; nowhere to park except a couple of very poor, often flooded, pull-ins. And worst of all the farm road runs right through the middle of it – (see extras). This could be a place of wonder, it is part of our cultural heritage and should be shared. I know it is very difficult as this is a farm, but I can’t help thinking that in the future we are going to be considered negligent in the extreme to have treated this precious place so badly.