Ashlar Chair

Also known as:
Druid's Chair
Nearest town:
Ilkley (3km NW)
OS reference:
SE120448
OS sheet:
104
Latitude:
53° 53' 56.15 N
Longitude:
1° 49' 2.48 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Ashlar Chair (Natural Rock Feature) by markj99

A frozen rock basin on Ashlar Chair. (21.01.09)

Image credit: Mark Johnstone
markj99
markj99 Apr 15, 2021
Image of Ashlar Chair (Natural Rock Feature) by Kozmik_Ken

Ashlar Chair. A heavily weathered rock that bears a large bowl on it’s northern edge.

Image credit: Andy H
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken Nov 5, 2003

Articles

Ashlar Chair

markj99
markj99 Apr 15, 2021

Directions to Ashlar Chair

Ashlar Chair is on a path heading S between Ilkley Moor and Bingley moor. There is a triangular intersection of paths at SE1236946361 c. 100 yards S of Ilkley Crags. Take the path heading S for Twelve Apostles Stone Circle. After c. 0.8 mile there is a path heading W at SE1251345130. ( You are only 150 yards short of Twelve Apostles Stone Circle at this point so a short detour to the circle would be sensible.) Take the W path for c. 400 yards to reach a junction at SE122094521. Take the L turn heading S for c. 450 yards to reach a dry stane dyke. Ashlar Chair is within 20 yards L of the path adjacent to the N side of the wall.

Ashlar Chair

David Raven
David Raven Nov 5, 2003

The fourth moor would be Bingley Moor, Kozmik.

There’s the huge tract of land adjacent to this feature bearing a masonic name too; The Square.

Ashlar Chair

Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken Nov 5, 2003

This heavily weathered rock lays at the meeting point of four moors. Ilkley Moor, Burley Moor, Morton Moor and Bingley Moor (thanks Dave). Cup and ring carvings were recorded in the 19th C, but these have now weathered away and no trace remains.

Paul Bennett describes the rock as an ‘Omphalus’ or a universal centre. It’s name probably comes from it’s use by medieval masons. It was also used as a meeting point for the Pendle Witches.

Folklore

Ashlar Chair
Natural Rock Feature
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken Oct 16, 2003

Said to have been a moot point for the Masons, and the Pendle Witches, standing on the border of four moors. The rock was reported as bearing cup n’ ring marks in the 19th C, which have now presumably weathered away.

Topics

F.A.O. Ken 9
FourWinds
FourWinds
Nov 2003

Sites within 20km of Ashlar Chair

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