Stanton Moor

Stanton Moor is a small upland area in the Derbyshire Peak District, lying between Matlock and Bakewell and is known for its megaliths and erratics.

The moor contains at least 70 barrows as well as stone circles, ancient enclosures and standing stones and is of such interest to archaeologists that the whole area is now protected. Most of the monuments and remains are very small-scale and overgrown with heather.

The moor has four bronze age stone circles, of which the best known is Nine Ladies. To its north lies Stanton Moor I the North Circle, and to its south are Stanton Moor III the Central Circle and Stanton Moor IV the South Circle. These other circles are largely overgrown and have few remaining stones. A further circle, Doll Tor, lies a short distance west of the moor.

Elsewhere on the moor lie a number of cairns. Several major erratics are found around its edge. From north, clockwise, these are the Duke of York Stone, the Cat Stone, the Duchess of Sutherland Stone, the Gorse Stone, the Heart Stone, the Cork Stone and the Andle Stone. On the eastern edge of the moor is the Earl Grey Tower, built by William Pole Thornhill and dedicated to the Reform Act 1832

The moor's sandstone has been quarried for many years, and has left several old dormant quarries around the moor. A recent attempt to open a new quarry on the hillside adjoining the moor, has been challenged by a protest camp and local campaign group. On the north side of the moor is a large TV transmitter which broadcasts to Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. It has recently been upgraded with the new tetra police radio antenna.