Nine Ladies

Ordnance Survey map reference: SK 247634.

Landranger map number: 119.

Latitude: 53.1 degrees.

Longitude: -1.375 degrees.

Architecture: Embanked circle with outlier and internal ring cairn..

Length of the major axis: 10.1 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 10.1 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 0.7 metres.

Shape: Circle.

Number of stones in the circle originally: 9.

Number of stones in the circle now: 9.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 8

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

Thom reference for the circle: D1/3.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: -.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: -.

Details of any finds at this circle: -

This circle is in state care.

Access to the circle:

This circle lies on Stanton moor near Stanton in Peak. It is 0.5 km from the nearest road and access is via a network of public footpaths that crisscross the wooded moor land. The circle is sign posted from the Birchover end of Stanton moor but this route is the longest being 1km to the stones. The shortest route is via a footpath just outside Stanton Lees to the south west of the circle.

This is a very neat little ring of nine stones, they are not tall but are unobscured by vegetation and the centre of the circle is unobstructed. Each stone stands evenly spaced around the foot worn outskirts of the ring, some are leaning slightly.It is situated within a large clearing in a woodland glade and a plaque nearby gives a little information about the site. Close by is the King stone, an outlier associated with the circle. Both outlier and circle once stood within a low modern stone wall, but this has now been removed. Well worth visiting and one of the best known of stone circles in the Peak District.

The unmistakable Nine Ladies has become a Mecca for pagan and hippie festivals and is currently under threat from a quarry development.