Police investigate damage at 'nationally important' Peak District Bronze Age site

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Police and heritage teams are investigating after a ‘nationally important’ stone circle in the Peak District was damaged by camp fires.

Doll Tor, which is occasionally known as the Six Stones, is a small stone circle near Birchover and dates back to the Bronze Age.

It is believed some of the smaller stones were moved - apparently for seating - and several fires had been set during the recent warm weather.

A spokesperson for Historic England said: “We have had reports that Doll Tor scheduled monument has been damaged and we are investigating this at present.

The damage to the stone circle at Doll Tor in the Peak District. | Other 3rd Party

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“As a scheduled monument, Doll Tor stone circle and adjacent stone cairn is a nationally important archaeological site and protected by law.

“This site, which is on private land and is not open to the public, forms an important part of our shared past and the preservation of the standing stones, cairn, buried archaeology and other features is vital in helping us to understand the ritual importance of this site and the beliefs of prehistoric peoples.

“Wilful and reckless damage to this scheduled monument would be a heritage crime.

“We are currently working with Derbyshire police, the private landowner and The Peak District National Park to understand the extent of the damage, and we would ask for anyone who may know about this, or witness suspected heritage crime to contact the police.

“You can also reach out to Historic England’s Heritage Crime team at @HeritageCrime.”

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