Gardoms Edge and the Ancient Rock

A great start to 2020 with all 4 of us out and about. It was Ike's turn to drive and i suggested Gardoms Edge to look at the ring and cup stone. We parked at the bottom of Clodhall Lane with the junction of Sheffield Road. It only took about 40 minutes to get there and we were 2nd in the car park. We went through the gate at the bottom of the road and walked up towards the edge. We had a couple of wet area's to cross but once passed those it was plain sailing. We stuck to the edge until we got to the old oak tree and then we went into the woods. Following the footpath the first thing we saw was the "Sun Dial Stone" Well that's what i call it for obvious reasons. We just kept going and eventually got to the "rock" we were looking for. I call it a rock but its actually a fibre Glass replica.
First discovered in the mid 1960's the condition of the carvings on the earthfast rock began to deteriorate and it was decided something had to be done to protect them from the elements. This finally happened in 1996 when the original rock was buried and a polyester resin and fibreglass replica was substituted in its place.. We carried on through the woods and came out at a style next to The Three Men of Gardom, the three conical mounds of stone that give the site its name - they are said to commemorate three shepherds (or even drunken priests) who lost their life near here during a storm. Although these only date from the 18th century they are built on top of a low Bronze Age barrow or cairn constructed of boulders. 
We found a little ravine and sheltered out of the wind for our breakfast before slowly walking back to the car. On the way back we passed some fell runners going at a fair rate and one or two looked to be of the older generation. Further on we passed some climbers with crash mats strapped to their backs. 

Geoff

A Raven on the rock

"Sun Dial Stone"

Rob, Ike and Geoff at the Rock

Ike me and Geoff

The 3 Men of Gardom

Breakfast spot

Rob

Rob

Ike

Fell runners

Climbers

Ike crossing over a stream

This was a lovely little walk to start off the new year, blowing away the cobwebs, looking forward to some warmer times in the spring. See you next week.