The mysterious stone structures that keep appearing around the Lake District

While the Lake District boasts some of the country’s most desirable beauty spots, it also stands as the backdrop for a number of beautiful yet mysterious art installations. 

It all began in 2021, when an elaborate rock formation perfectly framing the view of the Borrowdale Valley both puzzled and intrigued passing-by walkers and hikers.

Photographer Carl Halliday, who runs a mountaineering business in the area, spotted the unique formation in May that year and shared images of it on social media, both of which were quick to gain viral fame.

Sharing Carl’s photos, the Borrowdale Institute then inspired the mystery artist’s nickname by writing on Twitter: “Do we have our very own #Banksy in Borrowdale?”

Speaking to Sky News at the time, Carl admitted that while he was usually against man-made structures in nature spots, he felt a little differently about the rock formations.

He said: “I usually have mixed feelings about man-made structures like this in a natural setting – as climbers, we practise a minimal impact approach.

“But I have to say that this was different.

“It seemed sensitive to the existing environment and complemented the already stunning views… It seemed to be constructed from local slate and, after all, the fells aren’t completely natural – with dry stone walls stretching for miles.”

Since their discovery, the stone sculptures have become somewhat of a local celebrity, as has the artist, who is yet to come forward and claim responsibility for the instalments – which can also reportedly be found up on Castle Crag and Raven Crag.

And more recently, a group of walkers stumbled across a new ‘Burrowdale Banksy’ stone formation overlooking the Buttermere Valley while hiking Haystacks in April this year.

A spokesperson for the Lake District National Park Authority said on the addition of the structures: “We’re aware of these new additions to the fells.

“While the artist responsible remains a mystery to us, we know that our spectacular landscapes have inspired people for hundreds of years.”

However, just days ago disaster struck; two walkers were dismayed to see that the Haystacks formation had collapsed. 

The sad fate of the structure was reported by Nicola Crisp and her partner Freddie Forsyth, who had been on a mission to track it down. 

Freddie told Cumbria Crack: “It was still not easy to find, but eventually we discovered it. Unfortunately it was all a bit of an anti-climax, as it had fallen down.”

It is yet to be confirmed whether the formation had been deliberately vandalised or knocked over as a result of the weather – but all we can hope is that a new one will pop up soon.