On Thursday 4 December when Ashburton comes alive for its late-night Yuletide opening, join us at Field System for an evening celebrating midwinter and the standing stones that mark this most magical turning of the year.

At 5pm, writer and megalith enthusiast Fiona Robertson will lead us on a journey through Britain’s ancient landscapes - from Stonehenge and Newgrange to Maeshowe, Long Meg, and the sacred sites of the Land’s End peninsula - exploring how so many of these remarkable places were built in alignment with the winter solstice.

Five thousand years after the first light crept through the passage of Maeshowe to illuminate the dark chamber within, people still gather at stone circles to witness the greatest darkness and the return of the light. Fiona reflects on why this ancient reverence for light and dark resonates so deeply with us today, and what these monuments can teach us about finding stillness, renewal, and meaning in a modern world.

Fiona Robertson is a writer, editor, and author of Stone Lands (Robinson, 2025), a beautifully written book brought alive with the wonderful illustrations of Devon printmaker Phillip Harris. Fiona, a lifelong explorer of ancient places, has tramped many a boggy moor (OS map in hand) in search of standing stones. Passionate about archaeology and folklore, she shares her field adventures and insights on Instagram @stone_lands.

Before and after the talk, warm yourself with mugwort-spiced hot chocolate crafted by local forager, maker and cook Trudy Turrell, and enjoy yuletide folk tunes from Moor Folk, our resident musicians.

Mark the turning of the year with us — a celebration of darkness, light, and the enduring spirit of the stones. No need to book, just drop in for music and hot chocolate, but make sure you are with us 5pm for Fiona’s talk!