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Ley Lines of the British Isles
by Barry Shore
Neolithic
Page Contents
PART 1
A Geodesic grid formed over the map of England and Wales by a series of Alignments of High Peaks and Prehistoric Standing Stones
NEOLITHIC ALIGNMENTS
Key - Map References
1 Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam'
2 Rollrights King Stone, Oxon
3 Rudston Monolith, Yorks
4 Wardstone Barrow,Dorset
5 Trelew Henge, Cornwall
6 Glastonbury Tor, Somerset
7 Stump Cross, Shepton Mallett
8 Ivinghoe, Chilterns
9 Hopton-on Sea, Suffolk
10 Snaefell, Isle of Man
11 Craigenlee Fell, Galloway
12 Old Sarum, Wilts
13 Boniface Down, Isle of Wight
14 Combe Hill, Beachy Head
15 Helvellyn, High Crag, Cumbria
16 Skiddaw, Cumbria
17 Thursford, Norfolk
18 Foel Cwmcerwyn, Prescelly
19 Lundy Island
20 Dover
21 Prawle Point, Devon
22 Yes Tor, Devon
23 Dunkery Beacon, Somerset
24 Moel Fammau, Clwyd
25 Malvern Worcester Beacon
26 Esgairnantau, Radnor
27 High Seat, North Yorks
28 High Street, Cumbria
29 The Wrekin, Shropshire
30 Scilly Isles
31 Thurcaston Stones, Leicester
32 Carnedd Llewelyn, Snowdonia
33 Stonehenge, Wiltshire
34 Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria
35 Kinder Edge, Waterfall, Derbys
36 Mam Tor, Castleton, Derbys
37 Stanton King Stone, Derbys
38 Inscribed Stone, Anglesey
39 Tower of London, Site of.
40 Duel Stone, Norfolk
41 Mitchells Fold, Shropshire
42 Great Orme, Llandudno.
43 Longstone, Exmoor
44 Oxwich Point, Gower
45 Mynydd Pennant, Cadar Idris
46 Snowdon
47 Standing Stone, Holy Island
48 Standing Stone, Anglesey
49 Long Mynd
50 Brown Clee Hill
51 The Lizard, Cornwell
52 Leith Hill, Surrey
53 Beacon Hill, Hants
54 Swyre Head, Dorset
55 Harwich, Essex
56 Hengistbury Head, Dorset
57 Totland, Isle of Wight
After the last Ice Age, the inhabitants of England first lived a nomadic existence until farming became established. Knowledge of the Geography was instrumental to their survival. The natural method of acquiring this knowledge was to seek the highest vantage point which was clear of obstructions, and observe. Other high points would have been noted, especially distant ones and committed to memory. Eventually, some record of the relationship of these high points would have been made in order to pass on the knowledge. Where alignments crossed, the spot would have been marked with an object which was not easily moved and which could be easily found for future reference, for example, a heavy stone. These alignments would eventually form imaginary triangles over the earth's surface.
In 'Prehistoric England' by Richard Cavendish, there is an illustration of a fish spear, found at Star Carr in North Yorkshire, which is stated to be 10,000 years old. It has ten barbs, each barb being equi-distant from the adjacent one. From a practical point of view, the accuracy of the design and construction is immaterial, thus the maker set out the barb increments purely for personal satisfaction. From this point it is but a short step to the appreciation and application of scale, and applying the knowledge to the surveying and recording of the layout of the land.
By the use of a simple surveying instrument, the plane table, in essence a flat piece of slate and a scriber, the distance of far objects could be estimated, a practice which has been used for Gunnery Ranging for the last 500 years, and was probably used by the Romans for their missile engines.
Using modern surveyors' Ranging Poles, it is possible, with care, to obtain an accuracy of alignment of 1cm in 100m or 1m in 1km. The same technology and accuracy was available to Neolithic man.
Twenty or so alignments, all interrelated, have been delineated forming a national geodesic grid. Alignments of intermediate stations are accurate to within 100m. Accurate positioning of the Primary Nodes are paramount, as the displacement of only one causes the whole grid system to break down.
Ideally, on long alignments, to promote accuracy and to reduce labour, intermediate sights should be at the limits of vision, and selection of stations at the maximum elevation is necessary. Station distances of up to 50 miles overland are possible. Direct sighting of Boniface Down I.O.W. at 700 ft can be made from Beachy Head, also at 700ft, a distance of 65 mls, before the horizon intrudes. In 1997 Proof calculations and actual sighting was made of Carnedd Llewellyn in Snowdonia and Moel Fammau in Clwyd from Primary Node Point Helvellyn (High Crag) NY34351365. Direct sighting of Snaefell I.O.M. was interrupted by Great Gable.
PEAKS AND STANDING STONES
There is a generally known alignment, previously published, known as the Lands End/Lowestoft Line. The stated sites on this alignment have varied, depending on the particular author. My version described as Lands End/Hopton on Sea is listed later. It is intersected at the site of the large Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam' SU08986930 by the Rudstone/Wardstone alignment.
The alignment Snaefell (SC39755812) on the Isle of Man/Boniface Down on the Isle of Wight (SZ57017865) not only Intersects Lands End/Hopton, at Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam', but is at right angles to it to within 3 minutes of a degree of arc.
A further twenty or so alignments are listed, conforming to the Peaks/monolith Markstones formulae. Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam' features often and appears to be the site main Datum Point. This Datum reference was also used by the Romano British during the Roman Occupation, hence the Web Site address.
The alignment Snaefell (SC39755812) on the Isle of Man/Boniface Down on the Isle of Wight (SZ57017865) not only Intersects Lands End/Hopton, at Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam', but is at right angles to it to within 3 minutes of a degree of arc.
A further twenty or so alignments are listed, conforming to the Peaks/monolith Markstones formulae. Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam' features often and appears to be the site main Datum Point. This Datum reference was also used by the Romano British during the Roman Occupation, hence the Web Site address.
THE THREE BASIC ALIGNMENTS
(1) LANDS END - LOWESTOFT
Trelew Henge - SW420272
Hensbarrow Beacon - SX000581
The Hurlers, Stone Circles - SX259718
Rillaton Barrow - SX260719
High Willhays (621m) - SX580889
Glastonbury Tor (Sculpted Hill)* - ST51233861
Stump Cross, Shepton Mallett* - ST59854314
Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam'** - SU089693
Letcombe Bassett (238m) - SU370842
Ivinghoe* - SP959156
Great Chishill - TL425404
Tan Office Green - TL770588
Hopton-on-Sea, Lowestoft (Coast) - TM537996
(2) BONIFACE DOWN, Isle of Wight - SNAEFELL, Isle of Man
Boniface Down, Isle of Wight* (236m) - SZ57017865
Horseshoe Hill, Hants (153m) - SU279335
Beacon Hill, Hants (152m) - SU215455
Knap Hill (261m) - SU121635
Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam'** - SU089693
Gloucester - SO826189
Long Mynd (516m) - SO422950
Moel Morfydd - SJ155453
Kinmel Bay (Coast) - SH971800
Snaefell, Isle of Man* (621m) - SC39758812
Mull of Galloway* NX085469
Craigenlee Fell, Rhinns of Galloway - NX025580
(3) WARDSTONE BARROW, Dorset - RUDSTON MONOLITH, Yorkshire
Wardstone Barrow, Dorset** (178m) - SY79358150
Win Green (277m) - ST926207
White Sheet Hill (242m) - ST937238
Chilmark Down (196m) - ST976358
Urchfont Hill (213m) - SU043554
Tumulus (245m) - SU075648
Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam'** - SU089693
Rollright King Stone* - SP297310
Bishops Itchington (123m) - SP385981
Venonae (Site of) - SP489878
Wauldby, S.Yorks - SE969298
Rudston Monolith** - TR097678
**Cross Alignments (Primary Node)
* Cross Alignments
It will be noted that these three Alignments intersect at The Beckhampton Long Stone 'Adam' SU089693 and that the Lands End - Lowestoft alignment is perpendicular to the Isle of Wight - Isle of Man alignment within three minutes of a degree of arc.
Twenty five alignments, all interrelated, have been delineated forming a national geodesic grid. Alignments of intermediate stations are accurate to within 100m. Accurate positioning of the Primary Nodes are paramount, as the displacement of only one causes the whole grid system to break down.
BECKHAMPTON LONGSTONE 'ADAM' (SU089693) - HENGISTBURY HEAD (SZ185910)
Beckhampton 'Adam' ** - SU089693
Cleeve Hill [177m] - SU105555
Stonehenge - SU12264220
Hengistbury Head - SZ195910
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
BECKHAMPTON LONGSTONE 'ADAM' (SU089693) - KIMMERIDGE, DORSET, SWYRE HEAD (SZ93357850)
Beckhampton Longstone 'Adam' ** - SU089693
Tan Hill - SU081647
Urchfont Down - SU645550
Yarnbury Castle - SU039404
Chiselbury Camp - SU01832800
Badbury Rings - ST975030
Kimmeridge, Swyre Head - SZ93357850
**Cross Alignments Datum Point
COMBE HILL, BEACHY HEAD, SUSSEX (TQ57400215) - BECKHAMPTON LONGSTONES, WILTSHIRE (SU089693)
H/Tan < = 0.4521885 [24.331936deg]
Combe Hill, Beachy Head, Sussex [201m] ** - TQ57400215
Wilmington Long Man - TQ543035
Firle Beacon [217m] - TQ486061
Ditchling Beacon [248m] - TQ332131
Haslemere
The Sanctuary, Avebury - SU890331
Longstones, Beckhampton 'Adam' ** - SU089693
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
BEACHY HEAD, SUSSEX (TQ57400215) - BINSEY, CUMBRIA (NY225355)
V/Tan< = 0.542043 [28.459522deg]
Combe Hill, Beachy Head - TQ57400215
Ivinghoe * - SP959156
Gib Hill, Derbyshire - SK158634
Arbor Low Henge - SK160635
Bull Ring Mound - SK078781
Bull Ring Henge - SK079782
Hameldon Hill - SD806292
Bowland Forest Peak - SD648576
Wansfell Pike, Cumbria [482m] - NY395041
Low Pike [518m] - NY374080
Fairfield [762m] - NY358110
Dollywagon Pike [856m] - NY347130
Helvellyn High Crag [869m] ** - NY34351365
Castlerigg Henge - NY292236
Little Man [865m] - NY267278
Skiddaw [931m] - NY260290
Binsey [447m] - NY225355
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments Primary Node
COMBE HILL, BEACHY HEAD (TQ57400215) - STUMP CROSS, SHEPTON MALLETT (ST59854315)
Combe Hill, Beachy Head * - TQ57400215
Steyning
Kithurst Hill [213m] - TQ080124
Bignor
Butser Hill [270m] - SU720200
Old Sarum - SU138320
Maiden Bradley
Stump Cross, Shepton Mallett * - ST59854315
Wookey
Mark
Burnham-on-Sea
* Cross Alignments
BUNKERS HILL, LOWESTOFT (TG500006) - HELVELLYN (NY34351365)
H/Tan < = 0.6750311 [34.020576deg]
Bunkers Hill, Lowestoft - TG500006
Duel Stone, Norwich - TG153240
Thursford, Norfolk * - TF99403473
Skegness - TF573631
Stump Cross Caverns,Yorks - SD081639
Wold Fell, Whernside [557m] - NY780842
Risehill [556m] - NY700896
Helvellyn (High Crag) [869m] ** - NY34351365
Hobcarton End [613m] - NY19572365
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
FOEL CWMCERWYN, PRESCELLY MOUNTAINS (SN097310) -
HELVELLYN, HIGH CRAG, CUMBRIA (NY34351365)
V/Tan < = 0.4410047 [23.797708deg]
Foel Cwmcerwyn [536m] * - SN097310
Carnedd Llewllyn [1062m] - SH68576450
Great Orme, Llandudno * - SH768832
Coniston Old Man, Cumbria [803m] - SD23759780
Helvellyn, High Crag [869m] ** - NY34351365
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
HELVELLYN, High Crag (NY34351365) - SNAEFELL, Isle of Man (SC39758812)
Helvellyn High Crag ** - NY34351365
Great Gable (900m) - NY21001005
Seatallan (722m) - NY140082
Snaefell, Isle of Man - SC39758812
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
LUNDY ISLAND (SS13504316) - DOVER (TR32334311)
H/Tan < = 0.0001117 [0.0064053deg]
Lundy Isle, Shutter Point - SS13504316
Longstone, Exmoor - SS70504315
Stump Cross, Shepton Mallett * - ST59854314
Cotley Hill - ST92004313
Woodhenge - SU15014400
Leith Hill - Q13604312
Dover - TR32334311
* Cross Alignments
PRAWLE POINT,DEVON (SX76443670) -
FOEL CWMCERWYN, PRESCELLY (SN097310)
V/Tan < = 0.3434894 [18.957056deg]
Prawle Point ** - SX76443670
Yes Tor, Dartmooor [619m] - SX581901
Foel Cwmcerwyn, Prescelly Mountains [536m] * - SN097310
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
PRAWLE POINT, DEVON (SX76453656) - HELVELLYN [HIGH CRAG] (NY34351365)
V/Tan < = 0.4342948 [23.475059deg]
Prawle Point,Devon * - SX76453656
Winsford Hill [427m] - SS883341
Dunkery Beacon [519m] - SS892416
Hurlstone Point, Devon - SS90124915
Myndd Maesteg [457m] - T953919
Brecon Beacons [610m] - SO990215
Red Lion Hill, Powys [493m] - SO056764
Myndd Tarw [640m] - SJ125325
Moel Fferna [610m] - SJ134392
Moel Famau [554m] - SJ161630
Helvellyn, High Crag ** - NY34351365
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
ROLLRIGHTS KING STONE (SP297310) - ESGAIRNANTAU (SO184610)
H/Tan< = 0.2698863 [15.103506deg]
Rollrights (King Stone) ** - SP297310
Broadway Hill - SP115359
Bredon Hill (Banbury Stone) - SO956402
Malvern Worcester Beacon [425m] - SO76904525
Kington - SO280585
Esgairnantau * - SO184610
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
ROLLRIGHTS KING STONE (SP297310) - HOLY ISLAND, Standing Stone, Anglesey (SH251809)
Rollrights King Stone - SP297310
Snowdon [1085m] - SH609547
Anglesey, Standing Stone - SH40686929
Holy Island, Anglesey, Standing Stone - SH251809
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
ROLLRIGHTS KING STONE (SP297310) - ISLE OF MAN (SC215729)
V/Tan = 0.860606 [40.715484deg]
Rollrights King Stone** - SP297310
The Wrekin - SJ633082
Moel Famau - SJ161630
Isle of Man - SC215729
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
RUDSTON MONOLITH (TR097678) - HELVELLYN [HighCrag] (NY34351365)
H/Tan < = 0.261477 [14.653457deg]
Rudston Monolith, Yorks ** - TA097678
Sutton Bank, Hambleton Hills - SE514830
High Seat, Pennines [710m] - NY812012
High Street, Cumbria [829m] - NY440111
Helvellyn High Crag [869m] ** - NY34351365
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
RUDSTON MONOLITH, YORKS (TR097678) -
SCILLY ISLES (Bant Carn) (SV910126)
V/Tan < = 0.9198154 [42.608327deg]
Rudston Monolith ** - TA097678
Great Longstone
The Wrekin (Sculpted Hill) [407m] * - SJ629082
Radnor Waterfall * - SO18445987
Moel Feity [591m] - SN850235
Lundy Isle - SS138461
Scilly Isles, (Bant Carn) *** - SV910126
* Cross Alignments
** Cross Alignments, Primary Node
***No direct sight from Lundy to Scillies under present conditions
SKIDDAW, CUMBRIA (NY25942901) -
TOWER OF LONDON (TQ340804)
V Tan < = 0.5968346 [30.830214deg]
Skiddaw [931m] - NY25942901
Castlerigg Stone Circle - NY29132367
Helvellyn [950m] - NY34201516
White Hill, Forest of Bowland - SD679588
Burnley
Delph
Saddleworth Moor - SD300000
Kinder Plateau, Featherbed Top - SK081915
Kinder Edge Waterfall - SK095892
Mam Tor [518m] - SK128837
High Rake [315m] - SK161780
Rolley Low [395m] - SK190732
Great Longstone
Bakewell
King Stone, Stanton Moor - SK24836346
Bonsall - SK280582
Black Rocks, Cromford - SK294558
River Trent [Cavendish Bridge] - SK44782990
Thurcaston Stones, Leicester * - SK56501035
River Soar, Leicester - SK58740650
Luton - TL098210
River Thames [Tower of London] - TQ340804
Tunbridge Wells - TQ586392
South Coast [St Leonards] - TQ768087
*Alignment crossing Rudstone/Wardstone alignment
WARDSTONE, Dorset (SY79358150) - ANGLESEY, Inscribed Standing Stone (SH356746)
Wardstone, Chaldon Down, Dorset ** - SY79358150
Glastonbury Tor - ST513815
Pynlimon [807m] - SN788866
Cadair Idris [622m] - SH665116
Inscribed Standing Stone, Anglesey - SH356746
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
WARDSTONE, CHALDON DOWN (SY79358150) - LONGSTONE,EXMOOR
(SS621479)
H/Tan < = 0.5663757 [29.526164deg]
Wardstone, Chaldon Down, Dorset ** - SY79358150
Maiden Castle,Dorset - SY670885
Nine Stones Circle - Y611901
Eggardon Hill, Dorset - Y551952
Lewesdon Hill, Dorset - T436017
Buckland Hill, Somerset [279m] - T164172
Haddon Hill, Somerset [355m] - S961286
Winsford Hill, Somerset [428m] - S872337
Pinkworthy Pond, Somerset [487m] - SS727419
Longstone, Exmoor, Devon * - SS70504315
Coast [349m] - S621479
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
WARDSTONE, CHALDON DOWN (79358150) - SNAEFELL, ISLE OF MAN (SC39758812)
V/Tan < = 0.343318 [18.948273deg]
Wardstone Barrow, Dorset ** - SY79358150
Plush,Dorset Downs - ST647243
Pen Hill Long Barrow [305m] - ST563487
Devils Punchbowl, Somerset - ST54585365
Priddy Circles - ST540528
Radnor Waterfall * - SO18115987
Great Orme, Llandudno * - SH753845
Snaefell, Isle of Man* - SC39758812
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
WARDSTONE BARROW, DORSET (SY79358150)
THURSFORD, NORFOLK (TF99403473)
V/Tan < = 0.8691275 [40.994803deg]
Wardstone Barrow, Chaldon Down ** - SY79358150
Woolsbarrow Down - SY894931
Knowlton Rings - U024100
Wick Down, Hants - SU141215
Beacon Hill, Hants - SU452573
Ivinghoe - SP959156
Luton Henge - TL061245
Thursford, Norfolk - TF99403473
* Cross Alignments
**Cross Alignments, Primary Node
No definite conclusion was reached on the research. Many of the alignments feature the highest, or second highest peak of each group of hills e.g. High Willhays on Dartmoor, Dunkery Beacon on Exmoor, Foel Cwmcerwyn in the Prescelly Mountains, Snowdon and Carnedd Llewellyn in Snowdonia, Skiddaw, Helvellyn and Great Gable in Cumbria, Moel Fammau in Clwyd, The Wrekin and Leith Hill, and the alignment 'anchored' by at least one monolith. Alignments pass close to, but not through, the majority of all documented Henges, except for the Avebury complex and Castlerigg, Cumbria, where they cross the sites. With the abundance of alignments, this might be expected.
The Beachy Head to Helvellyn High Crag alignment is interesting in that it passes through Mounds associated with The Bull Ring and Arbor Low Henges.
It may be significant that the intersection of many of the alignments occur on the highest point nearest the coast. This, one would attempt to achieve on the layout of a Triangulation Survey.
So, are these Alignments purely co-incidental? If not, how were they plotted? It is left for readers to check the National Grid References to prove that they are not 'fudged' and to form their own opinions.
