Stanton Moor

Stanton Moor is a high hilltop oasis of sandstone wedged between the dramatic gritstone escarpment of the Dark Peak and the rolling green fields and uplands of the White Peak, commanding superb views over the Derwent Valley.

Our ancient forefathers must have considered Stanton Moor to be special as they chose the site for more than seventy burial chambers or barrows as well as ring cairns and no less than five stone circles. In the mid 1800’s many of the barrows or tumuli on Stanton Moor were excavated by Thomas Bateman, an archaeologist from nearby Middleton-by-Youlgreave and some years later by J C and J P Heathcote of Birchover who created their own small museum in the village. Many of their incredible finds can now be seen at the Weston Park Museum in Sheffield including urns and beads of blue faience thought to have come from Egypt around 1300 BC.

One particular stone circle on Stanton Moor has worldwide fame. Known as the Nine Ladies, a name acquired more than a hundred years ago, it reputedly dates from around 2,000 BC at a time when the ‘Urn’ people inhabited this area. These Bronze Age dwellers believed in cremation and afterwards placed the ashes in a vessel or urn then topped it off with a mound of earth. Stanton Moor became a huge cemetery dotted with mounds and mass graves containing up to 15 humans.

About 40 metres from the circle is another stone known as the King Stone. The Nine Ladies title is said to refer to a local legend whereby young women from nearby villages who went against the church and danced in pagan style were petrified in stone where they stood as a punishment. The priest was also turned to rock, hence the King Stone.

Also to be found around Stanton Moor are some wonderful monoliths of solid rock, eroded by time into fantastic shapes including the Anvil Stone, Gorse Stone, Cat Stone, Heart Stone and the Cork Stone which is over ten feet high.

Stanton Moor was given to the National Trust by Mr R A Holmes of Buxton in 1934. It comprises of 27 acres of moorland at a height of 1050 feet above sea level.

Another feature and landmark of Stanton Moor is the Earl Grey Tower which commemorated the passing of the Reform Bill under Earl Grey in 1832.

There is limited roadside parking around Stanton Moor beside the narrow lane which circles this hilltop and passes through the village of Birchover, Stanton-in-the-Peak and Stanton Lees. In Birchover there are two pubs, the Druids Inn and the Red Lion, whilst at Stanton-in-the-Peak you will find the tiny Flying Childers, named it is said after a racehorse.

Stanton Moor is popular with walkers who have access to a network of paths and far reaching views in all directions. In summer months patches of bilberry bushes are often harvested by patient visitors who painstakingly pick these tasty berries to make pies and jams.

Summer solstice is a time for merriment on Stanton Moor when a small crowd congregates around the Nine Ladies Stone Circle to celebrate the longest day and the shortest night.