Arbor Low Stone Circles (Derbyshire)
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Summary
- 13th century buildings (or older)
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Introduction
The region's most important prehistoric site, Arbor Low is a Neolithic henge monument atmospherically set amid high moorland.Within an earthen bank and ditch, a circle of some 50 white limestone slabs, all now fallen, surrounds a central stone 'cove' - a feature found only in major sacred sites. Nearby is enigmatic Gib Hill, a large burial mound.
History to the present day
Arbor Low is the finest Stone Age 'henge' monument in the North of England, and is a site of unique archaeological and cultural interest.
No-one knows why this henge or its sister henge at Dove Holes (the Bull Ring) were built or their purpose, but they are thought to have been important focal points for the people of the time. The henge was built in around 2500 BC and consists of a circular bank, which surrounds a ditch about 1.5 metres deep which in turn encloses a circular central 'sanctuary' area.
The central area contains 46 large and 13 smaller stones, arranged in a circle with a group in the centre. Interestingly all the stones are lying flat and it is not known for certain whether they were originally laid in this way or whether they were once upright and have been toppled. One theory is that early Christians laid them flat as part of a process to 'de-sanctify' the site, but no archaeological evidence exists to support this. Arguably, the stones may well have been added after the construction of the original henge, which probably had wooden posts initially.
Near the south-east entrance a Bronze Age tumulus has been added, just within the bank - this is a much later feature and was found to contain several burials when excavated by Thomas Bateman in 1845.
Arrival information and how to find us
Open all year round at any reasonable time.
Admission prices:
Farmer who owns right of way to property may levy a charge for entry.
