Arbor Low Stone Circle and Gib Hill Barrow
Arbor Low is a well-known and impressive neolithic monument atmospherically set amid high moorland. Sometimes referred to as ‘The Stonehenge of the North’, owing to its henge bank and ditch, stone circle and cove. It bears more of a passing resemblance (though on a smaller scale) to that other great Neolithic monument, Avebury, in Wiltshire. It is the most important prehistoric site of the East Midlands
The name Arbor Low appears to derive from ‘Eorthburg Hlaw’, meaning ‘earthwork mound’. It consists of a massive bank and internal ditch surrounding a central area with stone settings.
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. Today the bank stands to an average height of 2.1metres (7 feet), and its almost circular crest has a diameter of 79 x 75metres (258 x 246 feet). The substantial quarry ditch defines an oval central area with an approximate diameter of 40 x 52metres (131 x 170 feet). There are two gaps in the ditch and bank that form wide entrances to the north west and south east.
Nearby is enigmatic Gib Hill, a large burial mound.
Please note: Dogs on leads are welcome.
Address:
Derbyshire
Sat Nav:
Bus Access:
TM Travel 181 from Sheffield, 202 from Alfreton, Hulleys 171 from Chesterfield, all to Parsley Hay, then 1 mile
Road Access:
1⁄2 mile W of A515, 2 miles S of Monyash
Train Access:
Buxton 10 miles
Bicycle Access:
Find this site on the National Cycle Network