Stanton Moor - Each late summer and autumn the moor is covered in acres of glorious royal purple heather, much of it masking over seventy Bronze-Age burial mounds, making this `environmentally sensitive' area one of the largest Bronze-Age cemeteries in Europe, and one of the most mysterious, and scenically spectacular in the UK!

 

It may be scenically spectacular, but if the Peak District were to be given a human face, then the diverse landscape could well be described as presenting a ruggedly handsome countenance to the visitor, freckled with beauty `spots' - and Stanton Moor, with its legends and mysteries, its stone-circles and mysterious carvings, and its fabulous views east over the Derwent Valley is certainly one of them!

 

The moor has long been thought of as a sacred place for the ancient Celtic priests, the Druids, and many of the `menhirs' or monoliths are believed to have sacred significance and to be associated with Druid worship. These rocks all have names like, the `Heart Stone', `Cat Stone', `Cork Stone', `Andle Stone', (known locally as `Twopenny Loaf') - and the magical `Gorse Stone', known to the Druids as the Maen Gorsedd, the elevated place from where the Druids would address the people.

 

In the middle of a wooded area to the east of the Nine Ladies Stone Circle stands the Earl Grey Tower, a square built stone structure about thirty five feet high which was built to commemmorate the Reform Bill in 1832.The Nine Ladies Stone Circle stands in a clearing amongst the trees at the northern end of the moor, and has done so for over four thousand years - and is visited almost daily throughout the year.

 

The King Stone stands fifty metres away from the circle of stones to the south-west, and paths converge on the sacred site from all directions, especially at the solstices and other seasonal celebrations when hundreds of Druids and other pagans gather to mark the changing seasons.

 

There are eight feast days or fire festivals celebrated at Stanton Moor, beginning with Imbolc, which celebrates Candlemass on February 1st. Next comes the Vernal Equinox on March 21st, followed by Beltane on 1st of May. But the largest gathering is on June 21st when crowds of up to two or three thousand come from all over the UK to the Nine Ladies to celebrate Midsummer Day. Lugnasad follows on August 1st, also a Fire Feast at Lammastide, and then the Autum Equinox on September 21st. Samain follows All Hallows Eve, on November 1st and the final festival of the year is the Solar Feast of Midwinter's Day on December 21st.

 

Stanton Moor is owned by Stanton Estates and managed by English Nature, and free access is allowed throughout the year. The Moor is accessible on foot only and visitors should be aware that sheep are grazed, and that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Limited parking is available on the minor lanes surrounding the moor, and in both Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover. The best approach is via Matlock or Bakewell and a turn off the main A6 at Rowsley, along the B5095 to Birchover or Stanton-in-Peak.