They were not made to be counted
| Stonehenge Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire Easting: 412244 / Northing: 142209 |
"The belief that the stones cannot be counted correctly dates from the late sixteenth century if not earlier; later versions add that anyone who does count them correctly will be struck dead." Grinsell, 1976 |
| Coldrum Long Barrow Trottiscliffe, Kent Easting: 564996 / Northing: 160731 |
A chamber tomb, the stones of which have been held to be countless. Evans, 1946 |
| Countless Stones Ayesford, Kent Easting: 574417 / Northing: 160405 |
The remains of a chamber tomb, known as Lower Kit's Coty.
An Ayelsford baker tried to count them by placing a loaf on each stone; but (a) one of the loaves mysteriously disappeared and the Devil appeared in its place; (b) on counting his loaves at the end, he found one more than he had brought with him; (c) just as he was about to call the number of stones he fell dead. Numbers chalked on the stones show that the 'countless stones' myth is still current. Grinsell, 1976 |
| Swinside Stone Circle Millom Without, Cumbria Easting: 317159 / Northing: 488179 |
A stone circle also known as Sunken Kirk. The stones are locally thought to be countless. Informant Miss M Cross to Dr E. M. Guess, circa 1939. |
| Castlerigg Stone Circle Keswick, Cumbria Easting: 329142 / Northing: 523640 |
Due to erosion of the soil around the stones, caused by the large number of visitors to the monument, several smaller stones have 'appeared' next to some of the larger stones. Citation unavailable |
| Long Meg and Her Daughters Little Salkeld, Cumbria Easting:: 357147 / Northing: 537191 |
It is said the stones cannot be counted – but, if anyone is able to count them twice and come to the same total – the spell will be broken or it will bring very bad luck. Another legend states that if you walk round the circles and count the number of stones correctly, then put your ear to Long Meg, you will hear her whisper. Citation unavailable |