The Way of the Rings – Ilkley to Matlock
The Way of the Rings is a 714 km ride from Castlerigg in the Lakes to Sonehenge. This route is 156km from Ilkley to Matlock. It follows a probable route take by Neolithic people who travelled to Stonehenge for the Solstice. This route takes in many Neolithic, Bronze age and historic features along the way. It generally follows quiet minor roads and some off road sections for which a gravel hybrid is most suitable.
Ilkley provides the perfect stop over with excellent pubs and accommodation. A stroll from the Cow and Calf will reveal a number of significant Neolithic sites including, 12 Apostles stones, Backstone Circle, Grubstones, rock art and standing stones on Ilkley Moor.
At Bingley, Baildon Moor east of Bingley has a variety of standing stones and stone circles including Eldwick stone circle. A detour to Haworth – home of the Bronte family is a good detour. Haworth village is situated at the edge of the Pennine moors in West Yorkshire, England, the area made famous by the Bronte sisters, known as Bronte country.
At Wainstalls, several stone circles including Crow Stone Circle, before arriving at Mytholmroyd and Turkey Holes standing stones. . Its declination is 24.2 suggesting it may be a midsummer sunrise marker. Through Holmfirth to Penistone and onto Midhopestones with a series of standing stones marking the route, reflected in the village names! . Just before Lady Bower Reservoir, are the Seven Stones of Hordron. Hordron "A circle of 11 standing stones with evidence that at least three more stones lie below the ground surface. The circle is situated on level moorland close to the edge of a west-facing escarpment known as Hordron Edge and overlooks the upper Derwent Valley. The stone circle is dated to the Bronze Age and is sometimes referred to as 'The Seven Stones of Hordron'. Offerton Moor and Eyam Moor Stones follow to the right before arriving near the Plague Town of Eyam which is well worth the diversion with a fascinating self guided tour and museum. Eyam, delightful and historic stop over - a village in Derbyshire, was also badly affected by the Great Plague of 1665 even though the disease is most associated with its impact on London. The sacrifices made by the villages of Eyam may well have saved cities in northern England from the worst of the plague.
Froggatt edge has a stone circle with many standing stones on the moor behind. Froggatt Edge Calver Froggatt Edge stone circle is set on a flat shelf, overlooking the picturesque Derwent Valley. Often referred to as Stoke Flat, the site is complex, though now sadly quite ruined. Following the road south at Rowsley take the fork right and the cycle route up to Stanton-in Peak. Here it’s worth a break to visit Doll Tor and the Nine Ladies. Doll Tor is a delightful little stone circle consisting of six standing stones, no more than a metre in height, with an adjoining cairn. The circle is approximately 6m by 4.5m in diameter with five stones of similar size and height, and one smaller wider one. It is surrounded on three sides by trees, but there are wonderful views to the west across the valley and hills beyond. Nine Ladies is a typical Derbyshire stone circle consisting of nine visible small standing stones embedded in a grassed over stone rubble bank approximately 11.5m by 10.5m in diameter. The stones are all composed of local millstone grit and none are taller than one metre in height.
Matlock provides a fine opportunity for an overnight stop.
