Reconstruction of a Bronze Age embanked circle. Paint the Past Image ©Department for Communities
Britain is rich with stone circles, henges and other prehistoric monuments; you could almost say they are synonymous with the British Isles. Whilst many would associate the southwest with such monuments; particularly Stonehenge and Avebury, this region is just as rich with these enigmatic monuments.
Stone circles have earned a place in folklore because of their enduring mystery; which continues to draw people to them, even after millenia. But what were they for and who built them? Let’s start by dispelling one myth; it most certainly was not the Druids. The Druids were the priestly caste of the Celtic people and did not appear until many centuries after the stone circles were erected. As mentioned in other articles, Celtic remains in Derbyshire are very rare indeed. It is generally believed that, due to a change in climate, to colder weather, the Peak District was largely depopulated during the ‘golden age’ of the Celts in Britain. Essentially, then, if the Celts weren’t here to build stone circles, then they couldn’t have built them. The stone monuments of the British Isles were mainly built by the people of the Neolithic (new or later stone age) and the Bronze Age.
So, we know the ‘who’, but what about the ‘why’? That is a slightly trickier question to answer. Most academics would suggest that these monuments had multiple uses:
The stone circles listed here are those most easily found in the region and are definitely stone circles, as opposed to ring cairns (the remains of burial mounds) or inconclusive and overgrown circles of ancient stone. All of the stone circles listed here are from the Bronze Age, but stand in landscapes with settlement dating back into the neolithic. I have included map references for each circle, as some can be tricky to find. It is not an exhaustive list. Also, I have not included Arbor Low. This is for two reasons; firstly, it deserves a page of its own and, secondly, Arbor Low is a true ‘henge’. A henge is a ring-shaped bank and ditch, with the ditch located inside the bank. Ironically, this means that the iconic Stonehenge is not actually a henge at all!
Stone circles have earned a place in folklore because of their enduring mystery; which continues to draw people to them, even after millenia. But what were they for and who built them? Let’s start by dispelling one myth; it most certainly was not the Druids. The Druids were the priestly caste of the Celtic people and did not appear until many centuries after the stone circles were erected. As mentioned in other articles, Celtic remains in Derbyshire are very rare indeed. It is generally believed that, due to a change in climate, to colder weather, the Peak District was largely depopulated during the ‘golden age’ of the Celts in Britain. Essentially, then, if the Celts weren’t here to build stone circles, then they couldn’t have built them. The stone monuments of the British Isles were mainly built by the people of the Neolithic (new or later stone age) and the Bronze Age.
So, we know the ‘who’, but what about the ‘why’? That is a slightly trickier question to answer. Most academics would suggest that these monuments had multiple uses:
- Ceremonial and Ritualistic: Undoubtedly, stone circles held significant spiritual significance to our ancient peoples. It is, therefore, highly likely that some form of religious practices took place there. These may have included rites of passage, such as births, deaths and marriages, and perhaps festivals to mark important times of the year, such as solstices and equinoxes, which were crucial for agricultural cycles. There is also strong evidence to suggest that some kind of ancestor worship may have taken place here; for example, Doll Tor has a burial incorporated within the circle.
- Astronomical/Calendrical: Many of our ancient monuments have astrological alignments, indicating the solstices and equinoxes. It cannot be overstressed how important knowledge of these times were, to ancient peoples. It would be easy to put a stick in the ground and track the length of the day and observance of the moon phases (the basis of our months) was also easy, but accurately judging the time of year, was a little harder. Knowledge of the solstices and equinoxes would be invaluable to a people who - literally - lived off the land. Knowing when to plant crops and when the nights would draw or lengthen would be key to survival.
- Social and Territorial: Many stone monuments stand out in their landscape. Take Minninglow, for example. Standing atop a high ridge, this monument can be seen for miles around; what better statement that you are entering the territory of a powerful tribe or leader? Many stone circles appear to be placed quite strategically in the landscape, perhaps where tracks, dales and rivers converge. Some of these have no evidence of use other than as a meeting place.
The stone circles listed here are those most easily found in the region and are definitely stone circles, as opposed to ring cairns (the remains of burial mounds) or inconclusive and overgrown circles of ancient stone. All of the stone circles listed here are from the Bronze Age, but stand in landscapes with settlement dating back into the neolithic. I have included map references for each circle, as some can be tricky to find. It is not an exhaustive list. Also, I have not included Arbor Low. This is for two reasons; firstly, it deserves a page of its own and, secondly, Arbor Low is a true ‘henge’. A henge is a ring-shaped bank and ditch, with the ditch located inside the bank. Ironically, this means that the iconic Stonehenge is not actually a henge at all!
Bamford Moor Circle:
SK 221 845
This is a circle of around 7m-8m diameter, comprising six stones. The stones are quite small, so it can be a little tricky to find. It offers fantastic views of the surrounding area; which may be a reason for its location.
SK 221 845
This is a circle of around 7m-8m diameter, comprising six stones. The stones are quite small, so it can be a little tricky to find. It offers fantastic views of the surrounding area; which may be a reason for its location.
Bamford Moor Circle. https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/1731/bamford-moor-south
Barbrook I, II & III Stone Circles (Ramsley Moor):
SK 278 755
The Barbrook stone circles are all embanked stone circles and form part of a wider Bronze Age landscape, which includes ring cairns, settlements and prehistoric field systems. Today, aside from a few hikers, Ramsley Moor and neighbouring Big Moor, is a wild and remote place, but, four thousand years ago, it would have been far more populated.
Barbrook I, is a ring of 12 stones of around 12.5m-14.5 diameter. Barbrook II is very interesting in that it is in the form of a circular drystone wall, around 14m diameter and containing the original nine - or possibly ten - stones that made up the circle. It is not known if the wall was there originally or not. Barbrook III, is some distance to the north and harder to spot, as the largest stone is only around 50cm tall. However, it is one of the largest stone circles in the area, being around 24m-26m in diameter.
SK 278 755
The Barbrook stone circles are all embanked stone circles and form part of a wider Bronze Age landscape, which includes ring cairns, settlements and prehistoric field systems. Today, aside from a few hikers, Ramsley Moor and neighbouring Big Moor, is a wild and remote place, but, four thousand years ago, it would have been far more populated.
Barbrook I, is a ring of 12 stones of around 12.5m-14.5 diameter. Barbrook II is very interesting in that it is in the form of a circular drystone wall, around 14m diameter and containing the original nine - or possibly ten - stones that made up the circle. It is not known if the wall was there originally or not. Barbrook III, is some distance to the north and harder to spot, as the largest stone is only around 50cm tall. However, it is one of the largest stone circles in the area, being around 24m-26m in diameter.
Barbrook I Stone Circle. https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/explore-the-district/attractions/barbrook-stone-circle
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Barbrook II Stone Circle. https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/explore-the-district/attractions/barbrook-stone-circle
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Crook Hill (Ashopton):
SK 184 871
This is a small circle, around 7m in diameter and stands above the iconic Snake Pass. This is believed to be an embanked stone circle, with only two stones still standing upright. Like many other stone circles in the area, it provides impressive views of the surrounding landscape. Some have suggested that it was placed here to reflect and possibly venerate, the nearby Crook Hill.
SK 184 871
This is a small circle, around 7m in diameter and stands above the iconic Snake Pass. This is believed to be an embanked stone circle, with only two stones still standing upright. Like many other stone circles in the area, it provides impressive views of the surrounding landscape. Some have suggested that it was placed here to reflect and possibly venerate, the nearby Crook Hill.
Crook Hill Stone Circle. Jo Stafford https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/3601/crook-hill
Doll Tor Stone Circle (Stanton Moor):
SK 238 628
This is one of my absolute favourite Derbyshire stone circles. It is set on the edge of dense woodland, just west of Stanton Moor and north of the village of Birchover. It is a very peaceful place, probably because it is off the beaten path and not in an exposed place, like many of its contemporaries. It has the feel of a ‘family’ place. The circle consists of six upright stones and a cairn at its eastern edge, which was added at a later date than the original circle. Excavations revealed remains of adults and children, often within ceramic urns; further giving the impression that this was a special place for a family or small tribe. Sadly, the site was vandalised in 1993 and 2020, but then repaired. Doll Tor is still in use today and is popular with modern Pagans.
SK 238 628
This is one of my absolute favourite Derbyshire stone circles. It is set on the edge of dense woodland, just west of Stanton Moor and north of the village of Birchover. It is a very peaceful place, probably because it is off the beaten path and not in an exposed place, like many of its contemporaries. It has the feel of a ‘family’ place. The circle consists of six upright stones and a cairn at its eastern edge, which was added at a later date than the original circle. Excavations revealed remains of adults and children, often within ceramic urns; further giving the impression that this was a special place for a family or small tribe. Sadly, the site was vandalised in 1993 and 2020, but then repaired. Doll Tor is still in use today and is popular with modern Pagans.
Doll Tor. By Elfmeterschiessen - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28976432
Hordron Edge Circle (Moscar Moor):
SK 215 868
This stone circle stands on Moscar Moor, within sight of the ever-popular Stanage Edge, to the east and Hordron Edge, to the west. Like so many other stone circles, it stands within an ancient landscape, with cairns, enclosures, hut circles and field systems all around. The circle itself is around 7m in diameter and comprises eleven stones, with at least three more stones lying below the surface.
SK 215 868
This stone circle stands on Moscar Moor, within sight of the ever-popular Stanage Edge, to the east and Hordron Edge, to the west. Like so many other stone circles, it stands within an ancient landscape, with cairns, enclosures, hut circles and field systems all around. The circle itself is around 7m in diameter and comprises eleven stones, with at least three more stones lying below the surface.
Hordron Edge Stone Circle. David Smith. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018367?section=comments-and-photos
Nine Ladies Stone Circle (Stanton Moor):
SK 247 634
This was my first Derbyshire stone circle and holds a special place in my heart. You can read more about it in our pages on Birchover and the Legend of the Merry Maidens. As the name would suggest, there are nine standing stones here, but there were originally ten, with the tenth stone being discovered in the 1970s. The circle was originally surrounded by an earthen bank and had a mound in the middle. Associated with the circle is the King Stone, lying a few metres to the southwest, though this was never part of the circle, instead, being part of a ring cairn. The Nine Ladies stands on Stanton Moor, which was a highly developed Bronze Age landscape, with between 35-50 funerary cairns, making it an area of international significance. The Nine Ladies is just one of up to four stone circles that stood here.
SK 247 634
This was my first Derbyshire stone circle and holds a special place in my heart. You can read more about it in our pages on Birchover and the Legend of the Merry Maidens. As the name would suggest, there are nine standing stones here, but there were originally ten, with the tenth stone being discovered in the 1970s. The circle was originally surrounded by an earthen bank and had a mound in the middle. Associated with the circle is the King Stone, lying a few metres to the southwest, though this was never part of the circle, instead, being part of a ring cairn. The Nine Ladies stands on Stanton Moor, which was a highly developed Bronze Age landscape, with between 35-50 funerary cairns, making it an area of international significance. The Nine Ladies is just one of up to four stone circles that stood here.
Nine Ladies Stone Circle. Simon Unsworth
Nine Stone Close (Harthill Moor):
SK 225 626
Lying on the eastern side of Harthill Moor is the circle known as Nine Stone Close. In 1847 seven stones were recorded in the circle, with this reducing to the current four stones remaining today - so, where the Nine Stone Close name comes from, we have no idea. One of the original stones was taken in the 18th century and used as a gatepost which still stands nearby, whilst another lies recumbent, in a field to the southwest. Nine Stone Close has the largest standing stones in Derbyshire, in stark contrast to the other stone circles in the county, which has led some archaeologists to suggest that this circle may date back to the neolithic, though there is little supporting evidence for this. There is some temptation to think that Nine Stone Close is somehow aligned with the nearby - rather striking - Robin Hood’s Stride, with the suggestion that the southern moon can be seen setting between the two sandstone towers of Robin Hood's Stride at midsummer.
SK 225 626
Lying on the eastern side of Harthill Moor is the circle known as Nine Stone Close. In 1847 seven stones were recorded in the circle, with this reducing to the current four stones remaining today - so, where the Nine Stone Close name comes from, we have no idea. One of the original stones was taken in the 18th century and used as a gatepost which still stands nearby, whilst another lies recumbent, in a field to the southwest. Nine Stone Close has the largest standing stones in Derbyshire, in stark contrast to the other stone circles in the county, which has led some archaeologists to suggest that this circle may date back to the neolithic, though there is little supporting evidence for this. There is some temptation to think that Nine Stone Close is somehow aligned with the nearby - rather striking - Robin Hood’s Stride, with the suggestion that the southern moon can be seen setting between the two sandstone towers of Robin Hood's Stride at midsummer.
Nine Stone Close. Simon Unsworth
Park Gate Circle (Beeley Moor, Chatsworth):
SK 280 685
This embanked stone circle is to be found on Beeley Moor on the Chatsworth Estate. It is tricky to find, but not too far north, off the main footpath. It is around 13m-14m in diameter and once had two cairns in its centre. This circle comprises eleven stones, the largest of which is just over one metre in height. Like many of its contemporaries, this circle stands in a wider Bronze Age landscape, littered with the usual assortment of cairns and field systems.
SK 280 685
This embanked stone circle is to be found on Beeley Moor on the Chatsworth Estate. It is tricky to find, but not too far north, off the main footpath. It is around 13m-14m in diameter and once had two cairns in its centre. This circle comprises eleven stones, the largest of which is just over one metre in height. Like many of its contemporaries, this circle stands in a wider Bronze Age landscape, littered with the usual assortment of cairns and field systems.
Park Gate Circle. https://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=231
Smelting Hill Stone Circle (Abney Moor):
SK 203 804
This small stone circle stands on Smelting Hill, next to Abney Moor and the village of Abney, in an area rich with Bronze Age monuments. It is an embanked circle of around 11m diameter and an internal diameter of around 7m. Only two stones remain standing, with others buried in the remains of its embankment. It is within sight of Eyam Moor and the Wet Withins stone circle (see below); another rich Bronze Age landscape.
SK 203 804
This small stone circle stands on Smelting Hill, next to Abney Moor and the village of Abney, in an area rich with Bronze Age monuments. It is an embanked circle of around 11m diameter and an internal diameter of around 7m. Only two stones remain standing, with others buried in the remains of its embankment. It is within sight of Eyam Moor and the Wet Withins stone circle (see below); another rich Bronze Age landscape.
Smelting Hill Stone Circle. Chris Collyer. https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2072/smelting-hill-abney-moor
Stoke Flat Circle (Froggatt Edge):
SK 249 767
Also known as Froggat Edge Stone Circle, Stoke Flat Stone Circle is easy to find, being only a few metres east of the main - ever popular - footpath along Froggat Edge. This is actually a double ring of stones, with some set in an earthen bank, comprising fourteen stones in all, with one being just over 1m tall. This circle has two opposing entrances; one to the south-southwest and the other to the north-northeast; which may suggest an alignment to the midwinter sunset and midsummer sunrise, respectively.
SK 249 767
Also known as Froggat Edge Stone Circle, Stoke Flat Stone Circle is easy to find, being only a few metres east of the main - ever popular - footpath along Froggat Edge. This is actually a double ring of stones, with some set in an earthen bank, comprising fourteen stones in all, with one being just over 1m tall. This circle has two opposing entrances; one to the south-southwest and the other to the north-northeast; which may suggest an alignment to the midwinter sunset and midsummer sunrise, respectively.
Stoke Flat or Froggat Edge Stone Circle. AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Wet Withens Stone Circle (Eyam Moor):
SK 225 790
On the lonely, exposed Eyam Moor stands Wet Withens; its name deriving from Old English and meaning 'the wet land where willows grew'. Though the moor is now largely treeless, it is still somewhat wet and marshy, very different from when the people of the Bronze Age raised their stone circles. Though not on a footpath, Wet Withens is in open access land, which covers Eyam Moor. The embankment that surrounded the circle is over 30m in diameter, making it the largest in Derbyshire. Most of its stones are now fallen and half hidden amongst the heather that surrounds it. Seven stones remain upright, with the ‘Chair Stone’ - so called due to the ledge cut into it - being the biggest at 70cm.
SK 225 790
On the lonely, exposed Eyam Moor stands Wet Withens; its name deriving from Old English and meaning 'the wet land where willows grew'. Though the moor is now largely treeless, it is still somewhat wet and marshy, very different from when the people of the Bronze Age raised their stone circles. Though not on a footpath, Wet Withens is in open access land, which covers Eyam Moor. The embankment that surrounded the circle is over 30m in diameter, making it the largest in Derbyshire. Most of its stones are now fallen and half hidden amongst the heather that surrounds it. Seven stones remain upright, with the ‘Chair Stone’ - so called due to the ledge cut into it - being the biggest at 70cm.
Wet Withens & the Chair Stone. https://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=242