Barbrook I

Ordnance Survey map reference: SK 278755.

Landranger map number: 99.

Latitude: 53.166 degrees.

Longitude: -1.349 degrees.

Architecture: Embanked circle with outliers..

Length of the major axis: 14.6 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 12.5 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 1.3 metres.

Shape: Flat Type B.

Number of stones in the circle originally: 12.

Number of stones in the circle now: 12.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 7

Burl rating of the circle: 1 (Good, worth visiting).

Thom reference for the circle: D1/7.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: Mid winter sun set, Spica Set..

Excavations undertaken at this circle: -.

Details of any finds at this circle: -

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

Barbrook I is to be found on Big Moor, 0.5km from the main A 621 Baslow to Owler Bar road, a small layby is available for parking and access to the moor is via a stile next to a large gate opposite the layby. Follow a footpath for 0.5km across the moor from this gate, it passes yards from the circle and the stones can clearly be seen on the right hand side of this path

Barbrook I is in good condition and consists of a small neat ring of 12 stones. It can clearly be seen in an opening in the heather covered moor. Nearby there is a cairn and several outlying stones that are said to have astronomical alignments with the site. About 50m to the NW lies another circle; Barbrook II, the two sites are not inter visible.The tallest stone stands at 1.3m and is much taller than any of the other circle stones. This tall stone is at the SW and marks the position of the mid winter sunset.

Barbrook I has become a mecca for all types of people wanting to gather at the winter Solstice. It's solar alignment on this date and ease of access, combined with the cosy size and spacing of the stones, make it an ideal gathering place for this event.I have seen all types of people here, from new age hippies to pagans and dowsers, all come with their own ideas and interpretations of the site. How much of it could ever come close to the real truth hidden behind 4000 years of silent time is impossible to tell, it seems people are happy to interpret these places in any way that suites their own needs, and who's to say the original builders felt any different!

There are good views to the south from this circle but other directions are obscured by nearby sloping moor land.Excellent and well worth visiting.

Barbrook I, photographed from the north, the main footpath can be seen on the right of the photo.