This stone circle near Ilkley is Yorkshire's answer to Stonehenge

But it is not the only stone circle to be found in England. In fact, around 250 have been identified across the country including the one pictured here on the Rombalds moorland around Ilkley.

The circle, known as the Twelve Apostles, is believed to date back to the Bronze Age, around 2000BC.

Indeed, according to the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service, descriptions from the 19th century suggest the circle may have actually once been made up of as many as 20 stones.

Today, the Twelve Apostles is categorised as a ‘scheduled monument’, meaning it is an archaeological site of national importance to be preserved for future generations.

In fact, all surviving examples of stone circles in England are considered worthy of protection – and Historic England explains how they can provide an insight into prehistoric activity.

“We do not fully understand the uses for the which these monuments were originally constructed,” reads its listing on the Twelve Apostles.

“But it is clear that they had considerable ritual importance for the societies that used them.

“In many instances excavation has indicated that they provided a focus for burials and the rituals that accompanied interment of the dead.

“Some stone circles appear to have had a calendrical function, helping mark the passage of time and seasons, this being indicated by careful alignment of stones to mark important solar or lunar events such as sunrise or sunset at midwinter or midsummer.”

Given its air of mystery and its offering of a glimpse into history from many centuries ago, it is perhaps not surprising that the prehistoric site, accessible by moorland walking routes, is one of West Yorkshire’s most visited.

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