Latest Fieldnotes

Craddock Moor Stone Row – 25.12.2002

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I’m not sure if this site has an ‘official’ name so I have simply called it Craddock Moor Stone Row. There’s no easy way to describe how to get to this! A compass bearing from Craddock Moor Stone Circle, or the old quarry track, is about the best you can do.

At some point on your bearing you’ll come across an ancient ditch (marked on the OS map from 241720 to 242723), which reassuringly means you’re getting close. You may be fortunate to find a sort of track that leads down towards a house marked on the map as Lambadla (SX239723).

The North East end of the row terminates around the area of this track. The stones are tiny (most barely 10 to 20cms tall) and not easy to find, but once you find one the row becomes quite apparent as the surrounding area contains few other stones in general. I counted 49
stones in all, including 4 slightly off line, ones barely poking through, and a double stone at the South West end (with another stone only 40cms away). I didn’t count possible other stones around the area, nor what looked to be a type of ‘hook’ at what is probably the North East end, where 2 stones hook around towards the West.

Craddock Moor Stone Circle – 25.12.2002

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Without a map or compass you may be lucky enough to stagger across this circle 1 km North West of the Hurlers whilst exploring Craddock Moor. Even with a map and compass you may not find them as they all recumbent and are not visible from any distance. Fortunately the bearing I took (from the kink in the old quarry track at SX250720) was suprisingly perfect and I walked straight into the middle of the circle! I counted 17 stones, 18 if you include one slightly outside the circle. Naturally it’s not a massively impressive visual circle but I had at least found it and fulfilled my intention to spend ‘Christmas Day’ on a windy moor looking for ancient sites!

The Hurlers Stone Circles – 25.12.2002

A large car park just South West of Minions leads up to the Hurlers. Lots of walkers and doggy people around, even on ‘Christmas Day’. Not only are the circles fascinating, but the whole place is steeped in history, from the Pipers, Rillaton barrow, the Cheesewring, Stowe’s
Pound tor enclosure, and the Craddock moor sites, to the plethora of old mining ruins.

Stowe’s Pound tor enclosure is just 600 more metres to the North North West of Rillaton Barrow, just beyond the Cheesewring.

Rillaton Barrow – 25.12.2002

Rillaton Barrow is well worth a visit (ref SX260719) when at the Hurlers. It is exactly 500 metres North North East Of the Northern most Hurlers circle, and is the funny looking mound on the brow of the hill. This bowl barrow is just open on its east side. The cist once contained a skeleton lying full length, a bronze grooved ogival dagger, and the famous Rillaton Cup, a handled beaker of corrugated sheet gold, which is similar in style to gold and silver vessels from Mycenae, Greece. Both cup and dagger are in the British Museum but an exact copy of the cup is also in the County Museum in Truro.

The Pipers – 25.12.2002

The Pipers stand to the South West of the Hurlers, apparently a pair of outlying menhirs 3 metres apart, but Craig Weatherhill’s excellent book ‘Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall and Scilly’ (Cornwall Books – 1985, revised 1997 & 2000) says there are doubts about their antiquity. Cornovia says they are 2 metres tall. I measured them both at 165cm. A line of more modern boundary marking stones pass close by to the Pipers.

I’ve driven past this War Memorial on numerous occassions, and apart from thinking it was made from a remarkably large lump of quartz, never thought anything of it.

More recently I started to wonder about the origins of the this boulder. It reminded me of some of the standings stones in the area (the Glandwr Stone and one of the Pond Nant y Cagal stones). I made some enquiries and a good friend of mine who lives nearby (and has a passing interest in archaeology) assured me that this was probably just a boulder transported from one of the nearby mines.

It was only by coincidence that while I was thumbing through some records in the NMRW looking for something entirely unconnected, I found an the extract from Sainsbury’s thesis (below). This indicates that the stone does have a mining connection, but it wasn’t dug out of the ground by modern miners, it was already standing out in the open. I can’t help feeling a bit smug.

I have been told the Hole Stone has been moved from it’s original position and is now either used as..... A gatepost in one of the field walls near Holestone Farm or Holestone Cottage. Used in the construction of a  farm building or just plain (h)ol(e)d lost.

A couple of sources quote two rings on orthostat walling on Warren Moor.
I parked up by the entrance to Park Farm and walked up the side of the park to the crag that overlooks Kildale, I then followed the path onto Warren Moor and walked down the eastern side of the dry stone wall for about a kilometre, never taking my eyes off the wall. I then retraced my steps along the western side, again studying every inch of the wall. I did come across some vague markings on the eastern side but nothing that I could hand on heart describe as a pair of rings.
This NYM rock art is bloody elusive stuff.

A huge millstone grit block, that is said to grant wishes if you walk around it 3 times widdershins and then stand on top. Another version saves you walking round it, just sit on it and wish.

Mentioned in several ley hunters guides (if you go for that sorta thing) as the start/end of one of the Arbor Low ley lines.

Cuckoo Stone is thought to have originated from cock crow stone, this is another Derbyshire stone that is said to move around at dawn.
I have never been able to make my mind up about this stone, whether it is natural or erected. It was it’s closeness to the lost Seven Brideron circle that got me thinking.

With J. Barnatt, Hayman Rooke and Samuel Pegge all suggesting that the Seven Brideron stone circle stood a short distance away to the NE on Matlock Moor it does seem plausible that this stone played a part in the ancient landscape.

The stone has been a long recognised feature of the area with a dale, a lane, a farm, a wood and a quarry all named after it....it also features on Matlock Golf Club’s badge.
It stands on the 11th fairway at Matlock golf club, about 20yds from the path that cuts across it.

Visiting this one risks life and limb! It lies on the A911 about a mile west of Leslie, and there are no pavements and very little in the way of a verge... Fife drivers exhibit a blithe disregard for minor impediments like speed restrictions, so be very careful. There is a place to park a little way past the stone in the side road leading south.

This pair stand in the fields of Longloch Farm just north of the Binn Hill at the back of Burntisland. Use your map carefully, I’m not even going to try to describe the route! Permission should be sought at the farm but is readily granted.

Canmore says of them: “These two standing stones are situated on the summit of a gently rising pasture. The ground immediately surrounding their bases may have been made higher. The stones are vertical, stand 19’2” across centres and exactly E-W. The bases of both are packed with small stones. The W stone is a smooth-sided block of quartziferous rock 6’2” high, 12’8” maximum girth. Close to it is a block of stone 1’4” above ground. The E stone is of much weathered whinstone and is 5’7” high. Its greatest girth is 12’9”. Several small circular hollows are attributed to weathering. It is unlikely that the stones formed part of a stone circle.” What you see is pretty much what is described, and there’s no point in adding to it, other than to say that the two stones each have a very unique appearance from each other. The view over the Forth from here, even on a cold and windy winter afternoon, is pretty stunning.

I visited today. This stone stands in a field just on the eastern outskirts of Kirkcaldy, just where the A921 branches from the A92. Parking can be accomplished a couple of hundred metres along this road (a small layby). It is a large lump of sandstone standing just under 2m high, 1m wide, and about 0.6m thick, aligned E-W. There is one small cup mark high on the north face of the stone.

Creich Manse is situated off the A92 between Glenrothes and Dundee, just beside the village of Brunton. The Reverend Collins is the Minister of this parish, and the circle is within the grounds of the manse. He and his wife are friendly and welcoming, and must be approached for permission to view the circle – which is readily given.

These delightful concentric circles were moved from their original position in 1817, and set up exactly as found within the grounds of the manse. Canmore describes it thus: “In the centre of this feature was an upright cylindrical sandstone 14” high by 12” diameter, around which at a distance of 3’ was a circle of 16 upright stones, and beyond that a circle 15’ in diameter consisting of 32 upright stones the number of points in a compass, and in both circles, a stone larger than the rest was placed at each end of the cardinal points. The stones forming the inner circle were of sandstone which could not be obtained nearer than Cupar Moor, seven miles away; the stones of the outer circle were of local whinstone. Due S of the centre, and between it and circle B were two sculptured stones, the remaining space being paved. When being removed, burned human bones and charcoal were found under the inner of the two sculptured stones.” And that’s pretty much what you see today.

The sculptured stones are interesting, if vaguely detailed: a circle, a circle with extensions (ewer?), two raised mounds with a groove between, and a square with circle on top containing a crescent.

This site may have been moved from its original locus, but retains a great deal of charm, even on a cold winter’s morning. Well worth a visit!

The Longstone – 24.12.2002

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After Pencarrow a narrow lane passes by Gillings Farm. 350 metres after the farm the public footpath to this menhir is clearly marked by a wooden signpost and a concrete stile. It is near 2 field gates on either side of the road. It’s not easy to park without potentially blocking some access along the lane, especially any wider vehicles.

The longstone itself is impressive, measuring approx 330cm (H) x 90 (W) x 45 (D). The whole Western part of the field seems to be strange. It is littered with stones, some seemingly being like a recumbent circle, some as though they could be a burial chamber, and some like a type of boundary work. Or it could just be a jumble of stones? Intriguingly the rest of the field has no stones in it, nor does the next field (to the West), yet it’s obviously an area of antiquity with
cairns and field systems/settlements being marked on the map in other nearby fields. So despite this just being a single stone on the map, maybe this place is far more interesting than just that?

The Longstone Cross / Long Tom Cross – 25.12.2002

This stone is situated just off the main road 800 metres South West of Minions (on the road towards the A38). The stone stands alone, often amongst sheep roaming the moor, an impressive 285cm (H) x 60 (W) x 30 (D), complete with mark on the back and carved cross. It may have once been a menhir that was then Christianised by carving a cross on its face.

This stone is not mentioned in Craig Weatherhill’s excellent book ‘Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall and Scilly’ (Cornwall Books – 1985, revised 1997 & 2000), maybe because it bears no inscription to make it more special than the many other stone crosses / Christianised menhirs in Cornwall.

On the horizon behind a line of old mine chimneys can been seen, marking the lode (course of) of a copper vein.

Trethevy Quoit – 25.12.2002

‘Christmas Day’ at the most famous quoit in East Cornwall.

Although this stunning quoit is just about signposted from the main Dobwalls to Minions road, and then from Darite, I wouldn’t rely on these small old white signs to get to this famous quoit. An OS map makes it easier. Once you get to the triangle just outside the field in the which it stands, there is then a then a large modern brown sign, but by then you are only about 20 metres from the quoit anyway! At this triangle there is a tarmaced lay-by for 5 cars, plus other spaces on road, and a nice information board. The info board contains info on the quoit itself and also some of the other ancient monuments in the St Cleer parish.

The site is just inside the field, through a wooden gate, and seems shockingly large once you step inside the field. The stone at the back (the one that has fallen in) seems to be cup marked – ancient or modern?

Duloe Stone Circle – 24.12.2002

Duloe seems to be pretty much open access. Although it is on private land it seems that as long as visitors act properly we should be able to enjoy this lovely lowland circle. The circle is actually close to the church at the South end of the village and is now signposted from the road by a small wooden signpost.

A small lane, next to a barn being converted, leads up to a gate and into the field. As the field in which the circle stands often contains livestock it’s very wise to keep dogs on a lead and beware of the lambing season etc.

Next to the hedge, behind the circle, there is a lovely little info board which has been photographed by Phil and posted on this great website. Enjoy!

Pleased to see that Stubob’s put this site on the map. I’ve visited this place a couple of times but sadly have no photos to post here.

A strange place this – I recollect that the air was very still last time we visited, almost oppressive. Visually this is similar to a scaled down version of Cheddar Gorge but, thankfully without the tourist coaches parked at the bottom. The caves are largely fenced off from the public but a winding walk around the valley floor takes the visitor past each fancifully named cave.

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Whilst you’re in “the Dukeries” pop into the grounds of nearby Rufford Park for some food and a look at the gallery. I’ve posted up a review on the facilities section.

Visited 20th July 2002: We had a some trouble finding this circle, so here are some directions. Approaching on the A488 park at the anonymous little hamlet near the junction that leads to Hemford (the hamlet) and the village of Shelve (SO327995). Resist the temptation of driving towards the hamlet of Hemford as you can’t get to the stones from the north*. We parked on the A488 in a slither of a lay-by just to the south of the junction.

Access to the stones is down a driveway that has a green wooden sign with Graham Radley TRADITIONAL FURNITURE KITCHENS & JOINERY on it. From this point you’ll see three gateways (one with no gate that leads to Mr. Radley’s house). Take the middle gateway (the gate with a sign saying Holly Bank on it) and follow the drive down the side of Mr Radley’s land until you come to another gate. Go through this (and the next one if it’s closed), and keep going in the same direction following the perimeter of the field (heading west). If you look north you can just make out the circle.

In the furthest corner of the field where the footpath meets the boundary fence, you need to change direction and cross the little bridge (two railway sleepers) over a drainage ditch, and then cross the stile. Judging by the OS map you’re leaving the public footpath at this point. Mr Radley told us that taking this route wouldn’t be a problem, but I gather he’s not the land owner, so tread carefully.

Follow the perimeter of this field (heading approximately north west) and when you reach the next perimeter keep going (through the gateway). You’re now in the same field as the circle, but this field is farmed so try and avoid damaging any crops. We visited when the hay had just been cut, so we had no difficulty getting to the stones. I’ve said so much about getting to the circle that I won’t bore you with too much detail about the stones themselves (the plethora of photos is enough).

* See Reg’s post ‘cos it looks like you can get to the stones from the north.

The boiler had broken at work and we were sent home, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to satisfy my growing curiosity about this place. Last time I was up here it was raining and the visibility was very poor, so it being a clear and crisp winters day I just had to come. It seems to me that Winter Hill and Rivington Pike are the focal point for most of the monuments in this area. Cheetham Close and Round Loaf have an uninterupted view, as would Pikestones if it wasn’t for the forestry commission trees. Other cairns and stones dotted all around are either in plain site of the hill or actually on it.

This visit was excellent, a friend from work came with me, and we strolled around the top of the hill, looking at all the TV masts. As much as they definitely ruin the hill, a part of me can’t help digging the Star Wars feel they bring to the place, especially in the snow. I even got to thinking about the unbroken lineage of this place – from neolithic sacred hill (if my thoughts are correct) through to beacon hill and on to TV broadcasting... a definite thread there I feel!

While walking around the top we couldn’t help noticing a hang-glider hovering around between the masts. One time as we walked past the guy, we were close enough to see his face, he shouted down to us:

“What time is it?”

“Half past three”, I replied.

“Cheers!“, he responded.

We had a good laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. Only round Bolton, we concluded.

Stubob and Ironman are right, you should see these fellas, they have just been dumped.
The works and the railway make a surreal backdrop.

One of the many stones in the area with the title Thunder Stone.
This fella is a great big Shap granite boulder perched on the edge of a small quarry just beside the Shap to Crosby Rasvensworth road.
Shap Granite is a beautiful stone either polished or raw. Its pink colour comes from the feldspar within it’s matrix and the large feldspar crystals, plagioclase feldspar I think.

No mad sheep today, just a padlocked gate with a barbed wire fence enclosing a poorly repaired stone wall, this sad little circle deserves a little tlc. The sooner the farmers catch onto the custodian tip, the better.