STANTON MOOR

Stanton Moor is a small area of upland in the Derbyshire Peak District, up to around 1,000 feet (300+ metres) above sea level, between Matlock and Bakewell and with wonderful views over the Derwent and Wye valleys.  It was lived on and farmed 3-4000 years ago and traces of these ancient Bronze Age inhabitants are scattered across the landscape.  These remains have survived because the land has not been intensively farmed, thus preserving the type of monuments that have been destroyed in other parts of the country.  Some seventy barrows, four stone circles as well as ancient enclosures and standing stones have been identified, though most are covered with heather and hard to spot.  A notable exception is Nine Ladies stone circle.  Nevertheless, Stanton Moor is of such interest to archaeologists that it is all protected as a scheduled monument.  Many of the remains were excavated in the 20th century by local amateur archaeologists JP and JC Heathcote, who created a private museum of their finds in their home village of Birchover, on the edge of the moor.  Their collection is now in Weston Park Museum, Sheffield. Stanton Moor has also been used for quarrying, including up to the 20th century.

There is no postcode.  There are various points of access to Stanton Moor and the address given is one and for guidance only.  Find a lay-by on the east side of Birchover Road, where there is an information board.