Images

Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Looking NE. Doll Tor stone circle is in the wood in the centre of the shot.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.8.2023)
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Looking SE towards Winster. The square basin in the top of this slab is man-made.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.8.2023)
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

Staring off into the distance, forever (ish).

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

Probably the most pointless bars in the world.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

Purposeful looking big rocks, Stride in the beyond.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

Pretty patterns on the edge of the cliffs of great peril.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

Standing back from the cliffs of great peril.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

The cliffs of great peril keeping unwelcome visitors out since, a long time ago (Approx).

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

A wee cave amid the rocks, and evidence of some great big birds.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by A R Cane

Seemingly impregnable from this position, though we watched two climbers make it the top almost unscathed!

Image credit: A R Cane
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by A R Cane

The way through to The Hermit’s Cave in the bottom right hand corner.

Image credit: A R Cane
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by A R Cane

Entrance to The Hermit’s Cave which nestles below Gratcliffe Rocks.

Image credit: A R Cane
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

(Not)The hermits cave, amongst the rocks on the southern side.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by postman

Natural (?) dolmen within the defended settlement.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image of Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave) (Enclosure) by stubob

11/02 Is this part of the boulder wall.....bit of a confusing site.

Articles

Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave)

Recently discovered hillfort. Rock strewned interior, protected by steep drops to the east and south. A boulder wall to the North and West.

The boulder wall uses earthfast boulders in its construction and there are only small sections left.....non of these are overly impressive and its a fair old search to find the sections that remain.

Definitely worth checking out......
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06/06
John Barnatt has suggested that this hillfort is in fact a ‘causewayed enclosure’ or ‘tor enclosure’ like Gardoms Edge or Carl Wark.

Miscellaneous

Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave)
Enclosure

The eye can scarcely contemplate this nodding ruin without exciting a momentary aprehension in the mind, lest some of these vast disjointed fragments, which it exhibits, should instantaneously descend.

My friend, the Rev. B. Pidcock of Youlgreave, informs me, that a few years ago, and after a violent thunderstorm, a large solid mass, loosened from its ancient fastnesses, and weighing many tons, fell to the earth, and blocked up the entrance to the Hermit’s Cave. This obstruction was very properly removed by the late Henry Thornhill, Esq., and the access to the cave restored.

p201 in Reflections: A Poem: Descriptive of Events and Scenery Connected with the Different Months of the Year. By John Gisborne (1833).

Miscellaneous

Cratcliff Rocks (Defended Settlements and Cave)
Enclosure

At the foot of Cratcliffe Tor is a hermits cave which is thought to have been inhabited in medieval times. On the wall of the cave is a 4 foot carving of the crucificion.
In 1549 local records show a payment made to the hermit.... the cave is now behind a metal fence (altho’ the gate is always open) with yew trees either side of the entrance.
Worth a look.

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