Great Tor
Great Tor in the Peak District, looking out over Ladybower Reservoir
Location: SK 207 849
Getting there: Large free parking area/layby near Cutthroat Bridge, car park on A6103 near junction with A57
Height (at highest point (unmarked)): 403m
Prominence: unknown
Map: OS Explorer OL1 Peak District (Dark Peak Area)
A magnificent viewpoint over Ladybower reservoir, Great Tor is an impressive rock buttress commanding over Bamford Edge.
In the shadow of the much longer and more famous Stanage Edge, Bamford Edge watches over the Derwent Valley, the exposed rock millstone grit shelf running high up, alongside the river. It is extremely accessible - Great Tor is less than an hour’s walk from the car park, and a relatively short ascent can provide spectacular views along the length of the reservoir and into Woodlands Valley. The moors to the north also come into view along with Mam Tor, and the Great Ridge to the west.
A number of ancient sites dot the edge, and the moors between it and Stanage Edge. Several cairns lie amongst the heather in the area behind Great Tor, but two of the most interesting sites that are well worth a visit are stone circles. The first which lies near Hordron Edge, just behind Bamford Edge, and to the north, is only a few metres from the path, and is a large site. Although in the image below, at least 15 stones can be seen, only seven are original.
The large stone circle on Hordron Edge in the Peak District, near Grat Tor
The second is far more remote and smaller, making it better preserved and arguably much more interesting. Lying on the descent from Great Tor, on the way to nearby Stanege Edge, six stones lie peaking out of the ground. A complete lack of drama surrounds the site - the area is overgrown, and the practice of visitors placing additional rocks to ‘fill out’ the circle, which plagues the more popular sites, is mercifully absent.
The stone circle behind Great Tor, with Stanege Edge in the background
Great Tor can be easily accessed via a small loop from the road below. A longer walk from Cutthroat Bridge, taking in the nearby Hordron Edge is well worth a try, or why not tackle in Bamford Edge, Hordron Edge and Stanege Edge together for a full day out?
Approaching Great Tor from the north
