On Saturday, 07 August, 2010, the Witshire Heritage Museum will organize an outing to the Rollright Stone Circle and the unspoilt Jacobean Chastleton House in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, led by David Dawson, Director of the Society.
     The Rollright Stones is an ancient site located on the Oxfordshire/Warwickshire border. It consists of three main elements: the King's Men stone circle, the outlying King Stone (for long thought to mark an astronomical alignment from the circle, but now known to have been erected far earlier than the circle with which it has no astronomical significance) and the Whispering Knights dolmen (believed to be part of a Neolithic Long Barrow). Legends of witchcraft are associated with this attractive ring which has similarities with the Swinside circle in Cumbria and Aubrey Burl has suggested it may well have been one of several staging posts for the sending of axes from Cumbria to southern England.
     In the afternoon a visit to Chastleton House (a National Trust property) is planned. There are no catering facilities at either site. After visiting the Rollright stones we will drive on to Chipping Norton where lunch can be bought at one of the several pubs, or you can bring a picnic. Cost is £29.50 (£26 for NT members) and booking is essential. Contact the Bookings Secretary: telephone 01380 727369 (10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday) or send an e-mail to wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk

Source: Wiltshire Heritage Museum (May 2010)