Mystical Minninglow

Neolithic Chambers on a White Peak Hilltop

The wonderful hill of Minninglow has attracted me for years like a magnet; a superb Neolithic series of burial chambers covered by a massive cairn - and now ringed with trees.

Minninglow with a trusty crow ..... to add to the forbidding scene, you know!

Approaching the tree crowned hilltop.

One of the remaining chambers facing north-west.  The covering cairn has been removed over many centuries and the tombs were plundered, it is believed, by the Romans.

The same chamber - looking north.  The trees add real atmosphere - as if it was needed!

I always like to sit in any chamber I can fit myself in - and admire the view out.  A satisfying experience.

Looking from the north-west chamber across the Minning low mound.

This chamber - at the opposite side requires removal of nettles to get inside - but it is well worth the effort.

This is in fact the main entrance - largely filled in with debris and soil.  In the centre of the picture can be seen a patch of nettles where a missing slab allows a window into the passage.

This is when you wish you were a bit slimmer round the middle!

I am muttering words here that can't be printed!

Inside - with Pagan offerings.

Stretching out in a place that really relaxes the mind.

Absolutely perfect, guys.

Is it really work tomorrow?

The view out is just magical.

View of the chamber with tree shadows.

A view across the Minninglow mound showing the chambers.

The massive mound itself is made up of limestone rubble - as can be seen in this exposed section.

The remains of the third chamber at the south west of the mound.

The massive Bronze Age Cairn - still ancient - even if it is nearly 2000 years younger than the main chambers!!

The remains of the burial chambers on top of the cairn.

Beetles, newts and creepies galore fittingly inhabit the Minninglow mound.  This is a violet ground beetle.

You don't mess with those mandibles!

The Minninglow mound, with its crowning trees.

View across the huge mound and the burial chambers.

Classic views of Minninglow.  A spiritual place if there ever was one.

The cairn from the south.

Every angle is an interesting perspective.

Minninglow from the nearby trail along the old railway.

Zoomed in from Arbor Low, a henge to the north.

The ancient sites of Stanton Moor, to the north-east, are perfectly aligned with Minninglow along a ley - one of the mysterious ancient trackways linking these sites and disputed to be either the sight-line pathways of early man or linked to definite lines of energy that ancient man was aware of.

Behind me is the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, while in front is the famous Cork Stone, with Minninglow crowning the horizon to perfection.