Stanton Moor, near Stanton in Peak, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2LS
Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Prehistoric
Place photograph
6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8A small early Bronze Age stone circle sits among a wider complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor. Local tradition says the stones are nine women turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday.
Nine upright stones on open moorland offer a vivid encounter with a prehistoric landscape, not just a single monument: Stanton Moor contains a wider complex of circles and standing stones. The walk in is part of the experience, but expect uneven paths, stiles and no facilities on site.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapStanton Moor, near Stanton in Peak, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2LS
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk in from a suitable start point and spend time with the circle and its moorland setting. The formal car park is about 1.5 km away; allow for the uneven, sometimes gated and stiled approach. There are no facilities at the site.
Things to do
See the Nine Ladies stone circle
Visit the small early Bronze Age circle and take in its position on Stanton Moor.
Allow time for the walk in and return; exact duration depends on start point and pace.
Explore the wider prehistoric landscape
Look out for the wider complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor, rather than treating the Nine Ladies as an isolated monument.
Pair the visit with another prehistoric site
For a longer outing, English Heritage suggests Arbor Low, a Neolithic henge six miles west, or Hob Hurst's House, a burial chamber three miles to the north-east. Check access and journey details before setting out.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow around 1–2 hours; the walk duration is an estimate, not an official route time.
Quick Escape: walk to the Nine Ladies
- 01
Start from the formal car park just outside Birchover; it is about 1.5 km from the circle.
- 02
Follow an appropriate footpath across fields and woodland to the stone circle, allowing for gates, stiles and uneven ground.
- 03
Spend time viewing the stones and their moorland setting, then return by your approach route.
Half day · Half day; allow extra time for travel between sites and check current access information.
Make a prehistoric half-day of it
- 01
Visit Nine Ladies Stone Circle on Stanton Moor.
- 02
Continue the prehistoric theme with a separate visit to Arbor Low, described by English Heritage as a Neolithic henge six miles west of Nine Ladies.
- 03
Alternatively, visit Hob Hurst's House, a burial chamber three miles to the north-east; English Heritage notes that both nearby sites offer Peak District moorland views.
Verified history
English Heritage describes Nine Ladies as a small early Bronze Age stone circle and part of a wider complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor. The site is managed by the Peak District National Park Authority.
Folklore & legend
Local legend says the stones are nine ladies turned to stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday. This is folklore, not verified history.
Hidden details
The circle belongs to a wider prehistoric complex — English Heritage notes that Stanton Moor has a complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones; look beyond the named circle as you explore the landscape.
When to go
· Daylight hours; English Heritage says the site is open at any reasonable time during daylight.
The supplied evidence gives no seasonal highlights or month-specific advice.
The approach has uneven surfaces and crosses fields and woodland. Check conditions before visiting; no further weather-specific guidance is available in the supplied sources.
The route
- stiles
- Stiles are present on access paths.
- surface
- Footpaths through fields and woodland; uneven surfaces.
- duration
- The secondary walking source describes a short out-and-back walk of around 1–1.5 hours; English Heritage states formal parking is about 1.5 km from the circle.
- difficulty
- Uneven surfaces; gates and stiles may make the approach challenging, particularly for wheelchair users or buggies.
- route shape
- Out and back if returning by the approach route; no official route shape supplied.
- start point
- Footpaths reach the circle from a number of start points. Formal parking is just outside Birchover, about 1.5 km away.
- parking start
- Formal car parking just outside Birchover; roads beside Stanton Moor are narrow and unsuitable for parking. What3words: decorator.parsnips.saddens; grid reference SK 24113 62460.
- Nine Ladies Stone Circle
- Wider complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor
Worth pairing with
Arbor Low Stone Circle and Gib Hill Barrow
English Heritage describes Arbor Low as a Neolithic henge, six miles west of Nine Ladies, and recommends it as a nearby prehistoric site.
Hob Hurst's House
A burial chamber three miles to the north-east; English Heritage notes moorland views from the site.
Peveril Castle
English Heritage suggests extending the day with a visit to the castle at Castleton, set on a hillside overlooking the village and Hope Valley.
What to look for
Look beyond the nine stones: English Heritage describes the circle as part of a complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor. Notice how the monument sits within the open moorland setting.
The story
Early Bronze Age stone circle; part of a wider prehistoric complex on Stanton Moor.
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; the circle is open during daylight hours at any reasonable time.
Visit during daylight hours at a reasonable time. Check conditions before setting out, particularly because the approach has uneven surfaces.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Free entry; open during daylight hours at any reasonable time. Reach the circle by footpaths from a number of start points. Paths cross fields and woodland and include gates, stiles and uneven surfaces.
Parking
Formal parking is available just outside Birchover, about 1.5 km from the circle. Roads beside Stanton Moor are narrow and unsuitable for parking. What3words: decorator.parsnips.saddens; grid reference SK 24113 62460.
Toilets
No facilities on site. Check before visiting for public toilets nearby.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
No facilities on site. Check before visiting for food nearby.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome and should be kept under close control because livestock may be grazing.
Accessibility
The approach includes fields and woodland, gates, stiles and uneven surfaces, which can be challenging for wheelchair users and buggies. The source row says the car park and entrance are not wheelchair accessible.
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
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Chatsworth, near Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP
6.7 km away
Place photograph6.9Temple Mine - Peak District Mining Museum
Matlock Bath, Matlock, DE4 3PG
6.9 km away
