Stanton Moor, Derbyshire and the Peak District

Stanton Moor
Derbyshire and the Peak District

Stanton Moor is an area of gritstone amidst limestone country, this short walk 3 miles long starts at the Druid Inn Birchover, over Stanton Moor passing the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, along Stanton Moor Edge with views over the Derwent Valley and back to Birchover to explore Rowter Rocks.
18/02/07 (pictures taken 04/02/07)

To see a map of the area click here

The Druids Inn, Birchover.

The Cork Stone, this gritstone landmark has been naturally shaped by the elements and has stood for thousands of years.

Close to the Cork Stone is a disused quarry

Over to the right, a misty Derwent Valley

Continuing along the path to the birch wood in the distance

In a clearing in the wood is the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, the circle was built around 4000 years ago in the Bronze Age.

The King Stone, according to legend the nine ladies were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath and the King stone was the fiddler.

A short distance from the stone circle is the Reform Tower, it was erected in honour of Earl Grey famous for the reform bill and a blend of tea.

The Cat Stone, another unusually shaped landmark.

Derwent Valley below from Stanton Moor Edge

Back in the village of Birchover, walkers taking refreshments at the Red Lion Inn.

Like so many of Derbyshire's villages there are many things preserved from the past, the Pinfold was a place were stray cattle and sheep were kept, they were rounded up by the Pinder, the owner collected them but had to pay a fine.

Birchover's St.Michael and All Angels village church

Behind the Druids Inn is Rowter Rocks, they are a maze of tunnels and caves with carved steps leading to terraces at different levels. Many of which were the work of Thomas Eyre, an eccentric 18th century clergyman.