he Druid’s Temple is a unique folly in Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales. It consists of a series of stone formations and archways set in a circular layout.

Although The Druid’s Temple clearly takes inspiration from Druidism and other stone circles such as Stonehenge, it is unlikely it was built for any religious purposes. Instead, it was built as a folly and a means of alleviating some of the local unemployment. It is believed that William Danby commissioned The Druid’s Temple in the early 1800s. He was the owner of the Swinton Estate and Swinton Park at the time.

Although it wasn’t built for religious purposes, it was constructed during a time of significant interest in Druidism during the early Romantic period. It is even rumored that Danby hired a hermit to live at the ruin for several years!