Nine Ladies Stone Circle

A small early Bronze Age stone circle set in a clearing on Stanton Moor. Despite the name, ten stones stand in the ring, low and weathered rather than towering. The circle sits within a much wider prehistoric landscape protected as a Scheduled Monument, including the outlying King Stone a short distance away and a ring cairn, along with other cairns and earthworks scattered across the moor.

Tradition holds that nine ladies were turned to stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday, with the nearby King Stone standing apart from the ring. The story has long been attached to the site and helps explain the name, though the circle itself is thousands of years older than the tale.

The approach uses field and woodland paths with gates, stiles and uneven, stony ground. Routes are generally easy to follow in good conditions, but the terrain makes the site challenging for wheelchairs and buggies. Ground can be soft and muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is worth having. There are no on-site facilities.

Dogs are welcome but should be kept on leads and under close control, as livestock graze on and around the moor.

The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried, with open views across the moor and surrounding countryside. Interpretation on site is limited, so reading up beforehand adds a lot to the visit. Expect a modest, intimate circle rather than a monumental one, and allow time to walk out to the King Stone and take in the wider moorland setting.