Whispering Knights

Heritage Site in Oxfordshire

England

Whispering Knights

Bridleway to Salford Following the hedge line the bridleway to Salford
Bridleway to Salford Credit: Shaun Ferguson

Whispering Knights is a prehistoric burial chamber located in Oxfordshire, England. This heritage site is part of the Rollright Stones complex, which also includes the King's Men stone circle and the King Stone, making it a significant archaeological and historical attraction.

The Whispering Knights burial chamber consists of four upright stones supporting a large capstone, resembling a dolmen or portal tomb. The stones are made of local Jurassic limestone, and their arrangement creates a small chamber with an entrance facing northeast. The site dates back to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, estimated to be around 3,500 years old.

Legend has it that the Whispering Knights derive their name from the belief that the stones whisper to each other at night. This mystical aspect, combined with the site's ancient origin, has contributed to its popularity among visitors.

The burial chamber is positioned on a gentle slope, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside. It is believed to have been used for communal burials, possibly for a family or a small community.

Whispering Knights is easily accessible to the public, with well-maintained footpaths leading to the site. Visitors can wander around the stones, marvel at the ancient craftsmanship, and appreciate the historical significance of this unique burial chamber. The site also provides interpretation panels, explaining its history and archaeological context.

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Whispering Knights Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.972/-1.555 or Grid Reference SP3030. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridleway to Salford Following the hedge line the bridleway to Salford
Bridleway to Salford
Following the hedge line the bridleway to Salford
Barn at Little Rollright In this barn we could just see one cow intently watching us.  But we were aware that there were a lot more in there.  We are walking Shakespeare's Way, which in this hamlet has been diverted.  Generally, if heading south, follow signs for Darcy D'Alton Way.
Barn at Little Rollright
In this barn we could just see one cow intently watching us. But we were aware that there were a lot more in there. We are walking Shakespeare's Way, which in this hamlet has been diverted. Generally, if heading south, follow signs for Darcy D'Alton Way.
Manor Farm It is difficult to pinpoint exactly where we are because the footpaths around and through the farm and hamlet have been substantially changed.  We are definitely on a footpath towards the south of the farm though, heading towards Salford on Shakespeare's Way and Darcy D'Alton Way but looking back here at the farm.
Manor Farm
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly where we are because the footpaths around and through the farm and hamlet have been substantially changed. We are definitely on a footpath towards the south of the farm though, heading towards Salford on Shakespeare's Way and Darcy D'Alton Way but looking back here at the farm.
Long distance paths approaching Little Rollright The hamlet is in the valley.  Two long distance paths follow this footpath from Salford, Shakespeare's Way and D'Arcy Dalton Way.  The two metal gates in front of us are called a kissing gates, because as you push it to pass through the gate "kisses" its retaining part.  However, walking couples are known to physically kiss as they pass through each of these types of gate.
Long distance paths approaching Little Rollright
The hamlet is in the valley. Two long distance paths follow this footpath from Salford, Shakespeare's Way and D'Arcy Dalton Way. The two metal gates in front of us are called a kissing gates, because as you push it to pass through the gate "kisses" its retaining part. However, walking couples are known to physically kiss as they pass through each of these types of gate.
On Shakespeare's Way Two long distance paths pass through this small section of very muddy woodland, Shakespeare's Way (which we are walking) and D'Arcy Dalton Way.  The route leads to Salford, the village in Oxfordshire not the northern city.
On Shakespeare's Way
Two long distance paths pass through this small section of very muddy woodland, Shakespeare's Way (which we are walking) and D'Arcy Dalton Way. The route leads to Salford, the village in Oxfordshire not the northern city.
D'Arcy Dalton Way at Little Rollright The route, which also includes part of Shakespeare's Way, passes through the hamlet but lets you see very little of it.
D'Arcy Dalton Way at Little Rollright
The route, which also includes part of Shakespeare's Way, passes through the hamlet but lets you see very little of it.
Wild flower meadow near Little Rollright I was disappointed that the blue flowers have not shown up well.
Wild flower meadow near Little Rollright
I was disappointed that the blue flowers have not shown up well.
Meadow near Little Rollright The regularly spaced trees lining the nearby lane stand out.
Meadow near Little Rollright
The regularly spaced trees lining the nearby lane stand out.
Cotswold farmland Mostly arable farmland on undulating hills. The valley carries a tributary of the River Evenlode.
Cotswold farmland
Mostly arable farmland on undulating hills. The valley carries a tributary of the River Evenlode.
Track to fishing lake
Track to fishing lake
D'Arcy Dalton Way heading south
D'Arcy Dalton Way heading south
The long distance paths coming out of the woods
The long distance paths coming out of the woods
D'Arcy Dalton Way entering the woods
D'Arcy Dalton Way entering the woods
Footpath through the wood
Footpath through the wood
Kings Men stone circle
Kings Men stone circle
The King Stone "A single oolite orthostat, known as 'The King Stone' stands on a slight natural rise 73m to the north east of the stone circle. This stone stands 2.4m above ground and is 1.5m wide. A large semicircular notch on the eastern edge of the stone is the result of people chipping off pieces of stone as souvenirs over the past 200 years ..." <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018400?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018400?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
The King Stone
"A single oolite orthostat, known as 'The King Stone' stands on a slight natural rise 73m to the north east of the stone circle. This stone stands 2.4m above ground and is 1.5m wide. A large semicircular notch on the eastern edge of the stone is the result of people chipping off pieces of stone as souvenirs over the past 200 years ..." LinkExternal link.
Stones near the King Stone A group of stones 20 metres northwest of the King Stone.
Stones near the King Stone
A group of stones 20 metres northwest of the King Stone.
Kings Men "The Kings Men stone circle is one of the best preserved and most famous stone circles in Britain" <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018400?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018400?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Kings Men
"The Kings Men stone circle is one of the best preserved and most famous stone circles in Britain" LinkExternal link .
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Whispering Knights is located at Grid Ref: SP3030 (Lat: 51.972, Lng: -1.555)

What 3 Words

///passion.transfers.digitally. Near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

Nearby Locations

Whispering Knights

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.972,-1.555
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.97331/-1.5615452
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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