 A bleak January 1999 on Barbrook Moor looking south-east |
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third of the three true stone
circles on Barbrook Moor (there are also two circles which are now thought
to be ring
cairns), Barbrook III is also known as Owler Bar and stands on a plateau in
the northeast corner of the moor close to a reservoir. Looking like a secluded
stone fairy-ring this Bronze
Age circle almost seems to disappear beneath clumps of grass during the summer
as the tallest stone is little more than half a metre in height. Despite the small
stature of the stones, it actually one of the largest circles in Derbyshire, consisting
of a flattened circle of 21 remaining stones set within a very faint bank, the
diameters of the ring being 26 metres by 24 metres. It is suggested by Victoria
and Paul Morgan that there are three breaks in the bank and that one to the east-north-east
may have formed and entrance. There are fine views from the southeast round to
the northwest but the height of the stones make photographing the site tricky,
and finding in the first place can be just as difficult. To reached it, park on
the east side of the moor near to the junction of the A621 and Owler Bar roundabout.
From here follow a track westwards that leads to the reservoir. After about 500
metres, a track leads off to the north - take this and continue on for around
300 metres, the circle is now a short distance away to your west. *Update 2008* It appears that the entrance onto the moor suggested above now has a sign prohibiting parking. An alternative is to park in the large lay-by on the A621 to the west of Ramsley Lodge and take a pleasant (if long) stroll along the track that leads past both Barbrook I and Barbrook II towards the reservoir. From here follow a track northwards for about 300 metres and look for the stones a few metres to your right. A shorter route involves parking by the side of the B6054 and following a track south. |
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