Situated near the foothills of Helvellyn, the third highest peak in England, lies the ancient stone monument of Castlerigg Stone Circle. Constructed roughly 4500 years ago, it is considered to be one of the oldest stone circles found in Britain. Amidst the history and archaic stone structures, there thrives a local legend, often whispered among the locales, namely, the tale of the Cursed Howitzer. As per the story, back in the 1800s during the Napoleonic wars, a cannon, referred to as the Howitzer, was reportedly moved from the town of Keswick to be kept within the stone circle. The residents, soldiers, and even local church were against this act, driven by the ancient belief that meddling with sacred monuments results in tragic consequences. Ignoring the traditional warnings, the cannon was placed within the circle. It is said that strange happenings began to occur soon after. Unnatural storms lashed the area, livestock fell ill, and crops failed. The town’s people, convinced it was a manifestation of the disturbed spirits associated with the circle, demanded the removal of the Howitzer. Under immense pressure, local authorities returned the cannon to Keswick. Gradually, as the legend reveals, the strange events began to fade away and eventually stopped, reinstating calm and peace in the area. This fable, that ‘what belongs to the past should remain in the past’, is still whispered around campfires and passed down generations. Whether you believe it or not, its existence has become a part of local culture, adding to the mystical charm of the Castlerigg Stone Circle.