Doll Tor

Doll Tor, Freestanding Stone Circle

Now nestling on the edge of a modern plantation, Doll Tor is the jewel of The Peak and is a site that I never tire of visiting. It is simply delightful. Although the trees were not part of the original plan (it would have had a clear line of sight to both the Andle Stone and Nine Stones Close) they do add to the modern experience of this place, enhancing its magic, beauty and enchantment.

This circle has been badly ravaged in recent times. First, when the Heathcotes were excavating here in 1939, three of the stones were mysteriously smashed overnight. No explanation was ever discovered and the stones were put back together with concrete.

More hideously, in recent times, persons unknown took it upon themselves to reconstruct this circle into something completely different. They moved the stones, put others in place that were never part of the circle and rebuilt the ciarn into what looks like a grouse butt. Thankfully it has now been carefully repositioned to what it was before.

• Location: Stanton Moor
• Other names: The Six Stones
• Nearest Town: Bakewell, 6km NW
• OS Explorer Map: OL24
• OS Grid: SK23856287
• GPS: 53º 09’ 45.0” N • 01º 38’ 42.2” W
• Altitude: 276m
• Difficulty: Easy