Stanton Moor

Stanton Moor is a small upland area in the Derbyshire Peak District, lying between Matlock and Bakewell near the villages of Birchover and Stanton-in-Peak. It is known for its megaliths and erratics.

Archaeology

Stanton Moor is one of the jewels of the Peak District. It is important to so many people, for so many reasons:

* it is rich in archaeological remains, particularly of the Bronze Age but from other periods too
* it has a diverse ecology
* is an important landscape with views out over gritstone moors, river valleys and limestone fields
* it is an important spiritual and aesthetic resource, as well as a leisure opportunity for many peopleand also it is an agricultural landscape with productive quarries around its periphery.

The moor has four Bronze Age stone circles, of which the best known is Nine Ladies. To its north lies "Stanton Moor I" (the "North Circle"), and to its south are "Stanton Moor III" (the "Central Circle") and "Stanton Moor IV" (the "South Circle"). These other circles are largely overgrown and have few remaining stones. A further circle, Doll Tor, lies a short distance west of the moor.

English Heritage has recently commissioned a conservation plan from the Peak District National Park Authority, see references below. The Stanton Moor Conservation Plan is intend to be used to resolve the often conflicting requirements of all those who have an interest in the Moor.

The Plan examines what the Moor contains, how important those elements are and what they mean to the wide range of people who have an interest in the Moor. It then proposes a series of policies designed to try and resolve the many and varied issues that exist.

The big task now will be implementing the Plan and for that we are all looking to set up significant partnerships that will see sustainable management of the Moor in future, to achieve a marked improvement in the condition of the all the elements that people hold dear.

Geology

Elsewhere on the moor lie a number of cairns. Several major erratics are found around its edge. From north, clockwise, these are the Duke of York Stone (in which the legend "Y 1826" is carved), the Cat Stone, the Duchess of Sutherland Stone, the Gorse Stone, the Heart Stone, the Cork Stone and the Andle Stone.

The moor's sandstone has been quarried for many years, and has left several old dormant quarries around the moor. A recent attempt to open a new quarry on the hillside adjoining the moor, has been challenged by a protest camp and local campaign group. [http://www.bilstonglen-abs.org.uk/r/nineladies]

Also

On the eastern edge of the moor is the Earl Grey Tower, built by William Pole Thornhill and dedicated to the Reform Act 1832.

On the north side of the moor is a large TV transmitter which broadcasts to Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. It has recently been upgraded with the new tetra police radio antenna. [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/stanton-moor.asp]

References

* Ali Cooper, "Archaeology Walks in the Peak District" ISBN 1-85058-707-8
* Percy Heathcote, " [http://www.birchovervillage.co.uk/local_history.htm Birchover: Its Prehistoric and Druidical Remains] "
* Stella McGuire & Ken Smith, "Stanton Moor Conservation Plan 2007" [http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/looking-after/areaplans/stantonmoor.htm Download here]