This is hopefully the first of a series of events to highlight the twenty or so stone circles that are found within Derbyshire. I have chosen the one nearest to my home as the first as it is the one I know best.
This is the best known example of prehistoric standing stones on Stanton Moor & it is believed to date back 3,000 - 4,000 years. Over 70 prehistoric sites have been recorded on the moor. There are actually ten stones at this location; nine forming a ring which gives the site its name & a tenth stone several metres away which is known as the King Stone. The legend around the stones tells that the nine stones were young women who had gathered to dance to the tune of a lone fiddler. As this was on a Sunday, they were all turned to stone as a punishment & warning to others. Legend says that they come back to life once a year on Midsummer's Eve! The site is popular with pagans & druids, particularly at the time of the summer & winter solstices.
This short event will give us an opportunity to meet up safely outside for some geochat & to swap trackables. The footpaths across the moor are generally good, but can get muddy in places, so strong footwear is recommended. At this time of year, additional footwear may be necessary, which allows me to add a couple of interesting attributes! I have added a parking waypoint & access points to the footpaths to help you plan your visit. I recommend parking at the car park in Birchover. Please note that Lees Road between Stanton Lees & Birchover is currently closed & only passable on foot or by bicycle. There are several caches placed on the moor as well as others dotted around the vicinity, so you may wish to tackle some of these if this is a new area for you. Dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead on the moor as there are sheep grazing which will be in lamb at this time of year.