The Calderstones: Liverpool’s Version of Stonehenge
Ask pretty much anyone in Britain about the unique artefacts around the place and one of the first ones that they are liable to mention is Stonehenge. The prehistoric monument in Wiltshire is almost immediately recognisable, with an outer layer of sarsen standing stones around 13 feet tall and seven feet wide standing around a smaller inner set of bluestones.
Often visited by hippies and other new age types, it has been a legally protected ‘scheduled monument’ since the Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882.
Sunrise at Stonehenge today (5th March) was at 6.44am, sunset is at 5.55pm ☀️🥶 #viaX #cfoto Stonehenge U.K
— Orbis pictus (@czechview21.bsky.social) 5 March 2025 at 10:34
What a lot of people might not realise, though, is that Liverpool has its own set of stones that are worthy of similar love and appreciation. The Calderstones are six sandstone monoliths that were part of a burial monument more than 4,000 years ago.
As with Stonehenge, they are considered to be a scheduled monument; albeit it thanks to the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Areas Act of 1979 rather than the one from nearly 100 years before. Regardless, if you have some time to spare then they are well worth a visit.
What Are the Calderstones?
Head to Calderstones Park in the Allerton area of Liverpool and you will see the Harthill Greenhouses. Located within them are the Calderstones, which are six neolithic sandstone monoliths that remain from a dolmen that once stood in the area.
A dolmen is a portal tomb, which is a type of single-chamber tomb that tends to consist of one or two upright megaliths that support a larger flat horizontal capstone. The reason they are so noteworthy and why the park itself is named after them is their age, being considered the oldest monument in the city.
@livingliverpooltour Replying to @Benjamin Standing strong for over 1000 years, the Allerton Oak in Calderstones Park is a true symbol of resilience and a living monument to Liverpool’s rich history. From medieval court gatherings to picnics under its branches, this majestic tree has seen it all. Come and marvel at its beauty and feel the weight of its history. #Liverpool #LiverpoolHistory #LiverpoolParks #VisitLiverpool #LiverpoolTour #LiverpoolTourism #ThingsToDoinLiverpool #LiverpoolNature #AllertonOak #CalderstonesPark #LivingMonument #Allerton #Trees #BackToNature #LivingLiverpoolTour ♬ Autumn Leaves – Timothy Cole
It is thought that they were part of a tomb that was constructed between 4,000 and 3,000 BC. Their previous location was just outside the park gates, but in 1954 there was a concern that the weather was doing them damage and so they were moved to the Harthill Greenhouses.
There were more stones there originally, with Robin Hood’s Stone, also referred to as the Archer’s Stone, also being part of it but having been moved to the junction of Archerfield Road and Booker Avenue back in 1928 after being located in a field before then.
Why They’re Worth a Visit
If you happen to be wandering around Calderstones Park, you might well wonder whether it’s worth popping into the Harthill Greenhouses in order to see the Calderstones. The answer, for most people at least, is a resounding ‘yes’.
The stones themselves are carved with numerous intricate symbols that date from the same neolithic period through to modern times. There are spirals on them, for example, that are similar to the markings seen on tombs in the likes of Ireland and North Wales, suggesting cultural links to the Irish Sea.
🪨 The Calderstones in #Liverpool are a fascinating glimpse into the past.
🪦 These ancient neolithic stones date back over 4,000 years and were once part of a burial chamber.
🏠 The stones have a purpose built home at the rear of Calderstones Park mansion house, conserved by… pic.twitter.com/qaLKIEO6vN
— K E V yoliverpool (@YOLiverpool) January 19, 2025
Those spirals even influenced the floor of the Museum of Liverpool, such is the importance of them from an historical point of view. Then there is the fact that the stones have a basis in sandstone significantly older than the carvings that adorn them.
There is some suggestion that the stones were formed in the Triassic Era, which was about 230 to 260 million years ago. At the time they were created, Merseyside itself was part of a huge desert that was located close to the equator, only moving to its current location as the plates shifted.
Part of a Wider Park
Of course, it isn’t out of the realms of the possible that you have little to no interest in some dead old stones. Whilst that is a bit of a boring viewpoint to take, it is one that is likely to be shared by numerous people.
The good news is that if Liverpool’s version of Stonehenge doesn’t interest you, they are part of a wider park area that is well worth spending some time in. The public park in Allerton is 126 acres in size, meaning that is plenty of space for you and your family or friends to get up to whatever you wish to whilst you’re there.
Although the Calderstones themselves rightly take centre stage, they aren’t the only feature that you might wish to have a look at whilst you’re in the area. Calderstones House, for example, is a mansion that was built in 1828.
The Allerton Oak, meanwhile, is estimated to be 1,000 years old, which means that it has seen empires rise and fall. The Botanical Garden is an idyllic place to spend some time if you’re looking to unwind, whilst the nature reserve is also a peaceful setting.
