Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Youlgreave, Derbyshire
A small Bronze Age circle in birch woodland on Stanton Moor, free and open, with heather, sandy paths and gritstone outcrops for your dog.
A small circle in a lovely setting, and part of something much bigger. Nine Ladies is an early Bronze Age stone circle traditionally said to be nine women turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday, with the King Stone standing apart as the fiddler who played for them. There are actually ten stones. It does not stand alone: Stanton Moor holds a whole complex of prehistoric circles, cairns and standing stones.
While you work out the wider ritual landscape, your dog gets Stanton Moor, which is excellent: a compact plateau of heather, bilberry and silver birch with sandy paths, gritstone outcrops and views over the Derwent valley, and far quieter than the honeypot parts of the Peak District.
Free and permanently open, accessed from Lees Road at Stanton in Peak. This site is unstaffed and carries no published dog rules, as this is open access moorland. Ground nesting birds use the heather in spring and summer and the moor is fire sensitive, so keep your dog on a lead, stick to paths and take everything home. No facilities and limited roadside parking.
At a Glance
- Site Type
- Prehistoric Site
- Entry
- Free
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Telephone
- 01629 816200
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nine Ladies Stone Circle dog friendly?
Nine Ladies sits on Stanton Moor, which is open access moorland — free, permanently open, and with no published restrictions on dogs. The moor itself is a genuine treat for dogs: heather and bilberry, sandy paths, gritstone outcrops and silver birch woodland, with views over the Derwent valley and none of the crowds you'd find elsewhere in the Peak District.
Are dogs allowed at Nine Ladies Stone Circle year round?
Yes, the site is free and permanently open with no seasonal closures for dogs. That said, ground nesting birds use the heather through spring and summer, so during those months it's especially important to keep your dog on a lead and stick to the paths.
What should I know before visiting Nine Ladies Stone Circle with my dog?
The site is unstaffed and has no facilities, so come prepared — there are no bins, toilets or cafés, and parking is limited to the roadside on Lees Road at Stanton in Peak. The moor is also fire sensitive, so leads, path-keeping and taking everything home with you are all good practice here, not just during nesting season.
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