Some of the ancient sites featured on these pages are in excess of 5000 years old, their survival into the 21st century is remarkable considering modern intensive farming methods, a former lack of understanding of the importance of our heritage and the sometimes deliberate destruction by early religious groups. While this website seeks to inform, educate and bring attention to these sites I, like others, recognise we owe a duty of care to the sites we feature. To this end a charter was drawn up and agreed to by many webmasters outlining some basic considerations to be observed when visiting ancient monuments, the charter is maintained by Andy Burnham and any updates can be found on his website at The Megalithic Portal.
We do not fully understand the people or the reasons why these monuments were constructed but they are our shared heritage, with your help and support we hope they can survive to be enjoyed by people for the next 5000 years.

We, as webmasters of sites dealing with megalithic remains in the British Isles and northern Europe, would be saddened if the coverage given to megaliths on our pages led to their alteration, damage or destruction. We therefore suggest to the readers of our pages the following guidelines, to be observed when visiting any of these monuments.

Get permission to visit monuments on private land. Permission is usually granted if asked for, but repeated trespass could lead to access being denied to all of us, and prosecution of the trespasser. Remember, the right to roam extends only to roaming so you need additional permission to leave stuff, which in most cases won’t be granted. Don’t bother asking English Heritage, for example, as they’ve already said no.

Treat the countryside around the monument with care. Irresponsible behaviour on either public or private land could lead to access restrictions, or complete denial of access to the monument such as is the case at Stonehenge most of the time.

No valuable objects are likely to exist at, in or under the monuments. Do not dig or disturb the site in any way.

Any discovery made at a monument should be reported to the local museum. Every clue that aids in the understanding of these places can then be shared by all who wish to know.

Use the monument in whatever way you choose, for
sightseeing
scientific investigation
experiential satisfaction
religious practices
But do not move, mark or alter the monument in any way, even temporarily. This specifically includes moving or re-arranging stones, digging in or around the site or hiding caches within the immediate environs of the site. Also do not use metal detectors, leave things behind in fields full of livestock, burn candles or nightlights anywhere near the stones or daub paint anywhere.

Much damage is done accidentally by people who mean no harm. Think twice, and don't do anything which would cause degradation to the monument such as climbing on it or lighting fires nearby.

Through adherence to these simple guidelines we hope that the stones which have survived the countless centuries to remain to us now, will not fall victim to the generations of the 21st century. We who are the most knowledgable and capable of people are thereby mandated to be the most responsible.

Signed - Chris Collyer (webmaster - stone-circles.org.uk)

This charter is current as of 26th August 2003, any updates will be shown on Andy's site here.

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Please also please bear in mind the Country Code when visiting sites -

The Country Code

1. Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work
2. Guard against all risk of fire
3. Fasten all gates
4. Keep your dogs under close control
5. Keep to public paths across farmland
6. Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls
7. Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
8. Take your litter home
9. Help to keep all water clean
10. Protect wildlife, plants and trees
11. Take special care on country roads
12. Make no unnecessary noise

This code is currently being updated, the latest version is at the Countryside Agency website.