Visiting the Circles
Since this website was first published, much has changed regarding the possibility of visiting crop circles. Since around 2011, access to the circles has become much more difficult and, as a result, there are currently almost no crop circle-related tours or tour guides operating. The distribution of circles has also changed, with the familiar landscapes of Avebury, Alton Barnes and Stonehenge no longer having as many circles as they once did. This has made finding a central place to base yourself during a stay much more difficult. The crop circle phenomenon has always moved fluidly and, in recent years, circles have shifted away from the classic sites of Wiltshire and Hampshire into Somerset, Dorset and Devon.
It’s important to state that we do not offer tours ourselves, nor do we operate as tour guides. The summer months are simply too busy for us, as we are occupied with recording and reporting the circles as they appear. We also do not live in these areas and often have to travel significant distances to reach any circles we might personally visit.
In general, crop circles should not be considered a tourist attraction. They occur on private property, in fields that are a present and vital part of someone’s livelihood. It is incredibly important that we remain respectful of this. As frustrating as it may be, there will inevitably be circles that are simply not possible to visit on the ground, especially in large numbers. Farmers will often remove circles from their fields if they become inundated with unwanted, unplanned or improvised visits. This is something that should be avoided at all costs. People can still view circles from local hills, elevated vantage points and even from the air. It is important that as many circles as possible are left intact, and that we all do what we can to help ensure that happens.
That does not mean you cannot visit any circles. Please check our ‘Latest Circles’ section for information about visiting them. If permission has been granted for visitors, we will report it on our website on the page for that particular circle. If you are unsure, it is best to assume that permission has not been given.
With a little careful planning, mindfulness, and respectful consideration for farmers, the sacred landscape and countryside etiquette, it is still possible to have a wonderful and transformative experience with some of the circles. Be creative with your visit; there are many ways to see the circles, from undertaking a personal walking pilgrimage to flying from a local airfield. Use the internet to research locations, identify suitable vantage points and plan accordingly. Unless you are happy to spend your visit as a walking holiday in the English countryside, we would not currently recommend travelling from overseas. It is simply impossible to predict when and where circles will appear, or whether permission will be granted to enter them.
If you are a tour operator planning a tour that includes crop circles as part of your itinerary you can display information about your event here for free. Please email us with your details.
Crop Circle Visiting Etiquette
Please look through the categories below before venturing out to see the crop circles. Please be as considerate as you can when visiting the countryside and the crop circles. Better still please download the and print PDF file: A guide to Visiting Crop Circles. This is essential reading for all those venturing out into the fields.
The Temporary Temples Crop Circle Conference & Events
Please see our Events Page for the very latest information. We have a series of online courses, workshops and our annual conference scheduled and you can also access our video archive from our previous events!
Flying Over the Crop Circles
Flying over the crop circles can be an awe-inspiring experience – they were meant to be seen from the air! The are several ultra-light companies in Wiltshire that will take you for a short flight over the latest circles.
A very quick guide…
- Do not enter a field without permission from the farmer. Some farmers allow visitors, some do not. Those that do tend to place an honesty box either at the entrance to the field, or in the circle itself. Please contribute, the customary donation is £3.00 – £5.00 per person (more is always welcome). This helps build and maintain understanding between the crop circle world and the farming community, by helping the farmer recover his costs for damaged crop. If you are asked to leave a formation by a member of the farming staff do so, quickly and politely.
- Never, ever, smoke cigarettes (or anything else!) in a crop field. They constitute a very dangerous fire hazard.
- Never leave any litter or objects of any kind inside the circles, they may cause a hazard to farming machinery during harvest, or crop spraying, and could be potential danger to wildlife. This includes crystals or other offerings.
- Do not trample down any standing crop when making you way into the fields or around the circles. Always follow the tractor lines, even if this means walking out of the field and in again if you pick the wrong route into the circle! Further damage to crop by visitors irritates the farmers enormously and spoils the aerial views of the circles for those flying over them.
- If you park your car nearby, do not park in farm or field entrances where you may cause a nuisance to farmers. And never leave anything on display in your car that might attract the attention of thieves. Lock everything away securely, better still, take only what you need to carry with you in person.
