Building record MDR6639 - Buck Stone, Hathersage
Type and Period (3)
- ROCK CARVING (Unknown date)
- BUILDING PLATFORM (Tudor to Georgian - 1540 AD to 1808 AD)
- ENCLOSURE (Tudor to Georgian - 1540 AD to 1808 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
Buck Stone, Hathersage, of unknown date.
'A post-medieval structure, the west face of which has three rafter holes cut into it and several smaller holes. The Hathersage Enclosure Act shows detail of this structure, therefore the structure must date to before this time.' (1-3)
'A close examination of the Buck Stone shows that it was once the centre of a homestead of some kind. There are at least three rafter sockets and several lesser socket holes as well as grooves cut to carry away rain-water. The surface of the ground has been levelled to take a small hut, lean-to or house. Another structure used the Buck Stone as one wall. The rock has been modified to take the top of a roof. A human figure has been cut into the top of the Buck Stone with the same weathering and tooling as on the rain gullies and other carved features. The Hathersage Enclosure Act of 1808 records the enclosure in which it stands as an 'Old Enclosure', and the enclosure itself includes a large permanent spring. A series of pack-horse roads descend from Stanage Pole and High Neb, converging on the Buck Stone before descending to Hathersage. It is likely that any buildings at Buck Stone would be related to this road and may have been a beer-house and/or watering place for packmen and packhorses.' (4)
'The Buck Stone is a large natural boulder that has acted as a focal point for past activity. It lies within a large irregular enclosure defined by a ruined drystone wall. This was preceded by two much smaller enclosures, one to the south-east and one to the north of the stone. These enclosures are associated with two wooden buildings that stood against the Buck Stone, both identifiable from changes in ground level and from various holes and grooves cut into the vertical sides of the stone. There is also a terraced platform cut into the slope against the northern and western side of the stone which may be the site of a larger building, not reconstructable from the cut features on the stone. The flat top of the stone was clearly well-used, for as well as drip grooves round all four edges, there are crude cut steps and a platform to allow access to the top. The western side may have had a hand rail. Near the centre of the top is an unusual carving of a human figure in primitive 'stick-man' style, cut deeply into the rock. The function of the earlier enclosures and buildings is unknown. It is possible that they were for sheep management. However, in view of the location against a major hollow-way, they may be related to an overnight stopping point, or possibly even have been a small inn.' (5)
The stone and immediate surrounding area was surveyed in 2022. (6)
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SDR16471 Index: Fifield, P. W.. Peak Park Treasures E39. E39.
- <2> SDR16472 Photograph: PPJPB. Black and White.
- <3> SDR16520 Index: NDAT. 3619. 3619.
- <4> SDR16473 Article in serial: Radley, J. 1966. 'Who lived at the Buck Stone?', Derbyshire Life and Countryside. Volume 31(3), p 19.
- <5> SDR19460 Unpublished document: Barnatt, J (PDNPA). 1991. The North Lees Estate, Outseats, Derbyshire, archaeological survey, 1991. Feature A1, 1.
- <6> SDR24898 Unpublished document: Cockrell, T (North Lees & Stanage Heritage Action Group). 2022. Fieldwork at the Buck Stone, Near Hathersage, Derbyshire, April 2022.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | SK 23108 84682 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HATHERSAGE, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- EDR3733
- EDR5337
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Oct 3 2024 8:49AM