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<< Our Photo Pages >> Delf Hill - Stone Circle in England in Lancashire

Submitted by enkidu41 on Friday, 20 February 2015  Page Views: 22983

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Delf Hill
Country: England County: Lancashire Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Burnley
Map Ref: SD9006433732  Landranger Map Number: 103
Latitude: 53.799794N  Longitude: 2.152334W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
3 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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FrothNinja visited on 8th Aug 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by dodomad : View of proposed windfarm from Delf Hill stone circle Source: Planning application APP/2014/0114 submitted to Burnley Council (Vote or comment on this photo)
Stone Circle in Lancashire. 6 stones survive, between 0.3m and 0.6m long, surrounding a low mound. Earlier accounts in the 19th century talked of 5 stones standing (1842) and 7 stones in all (1874). Excavation in the centre found found 2 urns and a slab-covered pit containing evidence of cremations.

For more information see Pastscape Monument No. 46181 which adds: "Because the remains of this feature are so ill-defined it is difficult to be precise about its true nature but it would appear to have taken the form of central cremations covered by a low circular mound (formed from earth scraped up forming a shallow 'ditch') all surrounded by a circle of free standing earthfast stones originally six in number."

This site is scheduled as Historic England List ID 1008916 which describes the monument as having seven stones, some standing, some fallen, with an external diameter of 7m. The tallest stone stands up to 0.5m high and "within the circle is a partly mutilated central cairn measuring approximately 2.4m in diameter and 0.2m high which is surrounded by a shallow ditch".

The Journal of Antiquities also has an entry for Delf Hill Cairn Circle, Extwistle Moor, Lancashire, which includes directions for finding the cairn circle, a photograph, a photograph of one of the collared urns found at the site, nearby monuments to visit whilst in the area and a reference source for further information.

Note: Windfarm proposal for Delf Hill, which seems to us to wholly overpower the prehistoric sites on this hill - one turbine is only around 100m from this cairn circle. The top image shows the simulated view from the stones. See the latest comments on our page for full details and how to comment
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Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by Bladup : Delf Hill stone circle. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by Bladup : Two of the stones at Delf Hill stone circle. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by Bladup : Delf Hill stone circle. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by Bladup (Vote or comment on this photo)

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by DavidRaven : Members of the Northern Earth Walks group take a well-earned rest at the Delf Hill circle.

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by LivingRocks : The central cairn is clearly visible in this shot.

Delf Hill
Delf Hill submitted by LivingRocks : The well preserved small stone circle on Delf Hill seen from the south west.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 415m NNE 19° Hellclough Saucer Barrow* Ring Cairn (SD9020034124)
 417m N 8° Hellclough Ring Cairn* Cairn (SD9012534145)
 872m NW 310° Bonfire Hill 1* Cairn (SD894343)
 937m WNW 293° Bonfire Hill II* Round Barrow(s) (SD892341)
 1.0km WNW 291° Bonfire Hill III* Round Barrow(s) (SD891341)
 1.1km W 268° Twist Hill Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SD88983370)
 1.1km WNW 290° Beadle Hill (Extwistle) Misc. Earthwork (SD8901834112)
 1.2km W 280° Beth Cross (Holden Clough) Ancient Cross (SD88863395)
 1.4km SW 220° Hameldon Pasture (I)* Round Barrow(s) (SD8914232622)
 1.5km SW 220° Hameldon Pasture (II)* Cairn (SD8911832597)
 1.5km N 7° Broadbank* Ancient Village or Settlement (SD9023935227)
 1.6km WSW 243° Ring Stones (Worsthorne) Stone Circle (SD8864933006)
 1.7km N 358° Burwain's Camp* Misc. Earthwork (SD900354)
 1.8km WNW 282° Nogworth Cross (Briercliffe) Ancient Cross (SD8833934086)
 1.9km WSW 239° Worsthorne Moor* Stone Circle (SD8845932764)
 2.2km SSE 168° Cant Clough Cairn (SD905316)
 2.3km WNW 293° Calf Hey Well (Briercliffe) Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SD8794334622)
 2.4km NNW 329° Burwain's Farm Stone Circle (SD888358)
 2.5km NW 309° Annot Cross (Brierfield) Ancient Cross (SD881353)
 2.5km E 89° Grey Stone Hill* Rock Art (SD9259433766)
 2.8km ESE 102° Widdop Rock Art (SD9282633159)
 3.3km N 352° Knave Hill (Nelson)* Cairn (SD8963636991)
 3.3km NNW 346° Ring Stones Hill Stone Circle (SD89263693)
 3.4km ENE 72° Dove Stones (Widdop Moor)* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SD93333479)
 3.7km N 350° Walton Spire Cross* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SD8941637328)
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The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles - Hutton

The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles - Hutton

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"Delf Hill" | Login/Create an Account | 10 News and Comments
  
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Delf Hill windfarm planning application by Andy B on Friday, 20 February 2015
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Norman Mitchell writes: I have received a communication from Glen Moon from Green Cat Renewables http://greencatrenewables.co.uk regarding the siting of the wind turbines on Delf Hill, Worsthorne, Burnley.

He has informed me that the Application is online at
http://www.burnley.gov.uk/custom/plnapps/results.php?ref=APP/2014/0114&reference=APP%2F2014%2F0114&search=search&

or go to http://www.burnley.gov.uk/custom/plnapps/ and search for APP/2014/0114

Appendix 4.1 is a detailed archaeological report by AOC Archaeology and lists all features on the site. Glen says the archaeological features will not be disturbed during construction, only the setting of the turbines will affect the cairn circles and tumuli.

On the Planning Application, there are 87 attached files. The main ones of interest are – Site Plan; Block Plans 1,2 &3; Appendix 4.1, “Archaeological Desk Based Assessment”; 4.2 “Catalogue of Sites Features & Monuments”; 4.5, “Designated Heritage Assets within 5km of Delf Hill windfarm”; and “Non-technical Summary”.

If you look at Block Plan 3, the Green dot (wind turbine T3) is close to the cairn-circles and trig-point. The access from the south is to go along the footpath from Swinden Bridge, then along the existing road to Twist Castle Camp and Tumulus (Block Plan 1), down to the footpath, above the reservoirs to the wall. then follow the wall up to the Cairn Circles, on access land. T3 turbine is close to this wall.

See pictures on the Megalithic Portal and the pictures in the Cultural Heritage document from AOC. I’ve sent an e-mail to Glen, asking if turbine T3, together with the Crane hardstanding and Turning area could not be re-sited westward between the two tracks and near the Temporary Construction Compound, and a similar distance away from T2 as at present but further north, and to the west side of Delf Hill. This would take it further away and lower down from the Cairn.

What is your opinion regarding this proposal, also the siting in general of the windfarm? There’s a lot of “if’s and unlikely’s” in the reports. Also, English Heritage are concerned about the visual impact of the turbines near Scheduled Monuments. Also, in the Daily Telegraph, there was an article on windfarms, apparently there are proposals for Hameldon Pasture on the south side of Swindon Valley, also containing Cairns, Tumuli and Circles. Regards,
Norman Mitchell.
[ Reply to This ]
    AOC Archaeological Desk Based Assessment by Andy B on Friday, 20 February 2015
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    AOC archaeology write: On the eastern edge of the proposed development site, to the east of Delf Hill quarry, is a small circle of seven stones, which originally included a central cairn measuring about 2.4m in diameter and 0.2m high, surrounded by a shallow ditch. This was investigated in 1842 and three funerary urns discovered, together with human remains and flint arrowheads.

    A probable Bronze Age ring cairn is situated on the northern side of the proposed development site, approximately 25m to the east of Ell Clough. This consists of a partially disturbed oval of stones, which probably formed the ring bank, measuring 17.6m north-south by 16.8m east-west. The site was investigated by antiquarians in 1887, during which time a cist was uncovered, in which an urn was found containing the remains of two human skeletons; an adult and a child. Animal bones and a bronze pin were also discovered in the burial.

    The Delf Hill cairn circle may have been positioned on the south facing slope just below the summit of the hill to maximise views from the south and south-east, and no turbines will intrude into the view towards the monument from this direction, although turbines will be visible to the rear and peripheral to it. Turbine 3 will be prominent in all views towards the monument.

    The ‘stone circle’ has been heavily disturbed over the last two centuries, by both antiquarians and the later re-positioning of the stones, and although views towards the
    feature will be intruded upon, the extant surface remains do not represent the alignment or form of the original monument.

    [in other words "it's already wrecked so it's OK to wreck it a bit more"!]

    The proposed development will be prominent in views towards three prehistoric Scheduled
    Monuments, but will not sever any views or inter-relationships between these monuments. All turbines will have an operational lifespan of 25 years, after which the turbines could be decommissioned and any assessed operational impact of the turbines on the setting of the monuments removed.

    Source: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Delf Hill windfarm planning application by Andy B on Friday, 20 February 2015
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    This proposal seems to us to wholly overpower the prehistoric sites on this hill, in particular Turbine T3.

    Comments can be submitted via the Online Planning Applications Comments Form, emailed to planning@burnley.gov.uk or by letter addressed to Development Control, 19 Parker Lane, Burnley, BB11 2BY
    http://www.burnley.gov.uk/residents/planning/making-your-views-known
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Delf Hill by Sunny100 on Friday, 30 January 2015
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Ah yes I know John Clayton, he's an interesting person to know with regard to local, ancient sites around Burnley and Pendle, and as you say he has written a number of books on archaeology in those areas, as well as a number of books on local history. I have also come across the work of Linda Sever, mainly it has to be said through someone who was a good friend of mine - the late John Dixon of Clitheroe.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Delf Hill by Andy B on Friday, 30 January 2015
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More from Norman Mitchell: A number of papers on these site have been written by those excavating the sites during the 1800's. W. Bennett, in the "History of Burnley" vol.1.;
"Valley of the Drawn Sword-the Early History of Burnley, Pendle & West Craven" also "Burnley & Pendle Archaeology-Part 2-Middle Bronze to Iron Age" , [Barrowford Press], both by John A Clayton. He is a professional historian with qualifications archaology, an a member of The Institute of Archaologists, so knows about the importance of these sites.

"Prehistoric Lancashire" by David Barrowclough [ The History Press];
"Lancashire's Sacred Landscape" various authors but edited by Linda Sever [The History Press].
This last book has a very interesting 20+page spreadsheet type list of all the sites in Lancashire and especially all of these sites on Worsthorne Moor are listed, [pages 41-64], which I recommend for details.
[ Reply to This ]

Windfarm proposal for Delf Hill by Andy B on Friday, 30 January 2015
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Norman Mitchell writes: This site, Delf Hill is a prominent Stone Cairn Circle, Grid Ref: SD 90025 33801 and is featured in your lists of cairns on Worsthorne Moor area, together with nearby sites of Twist Castle, Ell or Hellclough, Pike Lowe, Bonfire Hill, Beadle Hill, Ringstones Castle, Slipper Hill, Hameldon Pasture, Wasnop Edge and Extwistle Moor, which please refer to.

Why I am contacting you, is that the landowner of Delf Hill, of Sweet Well House Farm, just to the north of the site is proposing to set up a Wind Farm on Delf Hill in conjunction with Rural Windfarms Ltd., a Scottish company, based in Edinburgh.

My objections to this windfarm are:

[a] it is situated on public access land.
[b] will public be unable to visit the important Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman sites in the area in the future, due to the close proximity of the turbines to these important sites.
[c] The proposal is for 3 turbines, but I know from the number of turbines in the area, these have been increased by the landowners, [the one nearest to where I live has doubled from 3 to 6, at the present time. Coal Clough windfarm on the hills above Burnley have increased the size of the turbines recently.
[d] will the turbines destroy the cairn circle. [shoudn't do as the site is a scheduled ancient monumber, but will certainly severly damage the outlook of the site - MegP Ed]
[e] this windfarm will be the precedent for other landowners to erect the same in this important historical area.

I am not against windfarms, but if situated where public access and important historical sites are situated, I am against these.

Regards,
Norman Mitchell
[ Reply to This ]
    Earlier info from Norman Mitchell, Jan 13, 2015 by bat400 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015
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    An article in the local newspaper (Burnley Express), and a public exhibition on 22nd November last, in Briercliffe, Burnley, Community Centre, which, unfortunately I was unaware of till later, where Mr. Glen Moon, Project Manager of Green Cat Renewables Ltd, Roslin, Edinburgh, proposed that ,at present time, three wind turbines of 3MW capacity and of 126m to end of blade tip would be installed on land near Delf Hill Cairn and Stone Circle, also near to Twist Castle Roman fort, 1km to the east of Swinden Reservoir. The scheme is being developed by Rural Windfarms Ltd in partnership with the landowner, Mr. Paul Atkinson of Sweet Well House Farm.

    The proposed site is very near to the Delf Hill Cairn and Stone Circle, (SD900338), and is on designated public access land. See Megalith Portal Delf Hill, Twist Castle and Hell (Ell) Clough sites for published photographs and descriptions, also two books of the area, Walter Bennet's "History of Burnley", vol.1. and "Burnley & Pendle Archaeology",part two, 'Middle Bronze Age to Iron Age', by John A Clayton. and in other archaeological papers.

    The area from Worsthorne to Extwistle Moor and the Thursden Valley, is full of Burial Mounds and earthworks. this particular site was opened in 1842, and twomarked urns containing human bones and charcoal were uncovered. As you can see from the Megalith Portal photographs, the site is well preserved.

    My concern is (a), will the site be disturbed, now or in the future. (b) will those wishing to visit the site be prevented by fencing or close proximity of the turbines., (c) will other close sites be built on with these structures and the public barred from visiting the area.

    The whole area, and adjacent circles and burial sites are of significant archaological interest, giving an insite into Middle and Late Bronze age, and Roman occupation of the hills above Burnley.

    To put it into perpective, a farm visible from my house applied for permission to erect three wind turbines. A few years later, this has now increased to six. how many more will be added in the future? Coal Clough windfarm above Burnley, the largest in the country on land has increased the size of the turbines and are now visible for miles around.

    To obtain further information regarding the Wind Farm, contact Glen Moon, Tel: 0131 440 9064. e-mail: glen@greencatrenewables.co.uk regarding this proposal and to make your objections to the siting of these turbines.

    Please make your objections known. Thanks, Norman Mitchell.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Delf Hill by kahenna on Monday, 07 August 2006
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Visited this site today and I was most impressed. Noticed what looks to be a face carved on one of the stones.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Delf Hill by Anonymous on Thursday, 10 March 2005
Surely 907331 is the correct grid ref. for this- probably the best stone cicle in the Burnley area.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Delf Hill by enkidu41 on Thursday, 10 March 2005
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    914331 is Burl's "suggestion". He is known to be suspect on grid references and this is one which should be taken with a pinch of salt. Barnatt gives SD 90063373 which accords with the reference given by other web sites which do not use Burl's. It is thus quite likely to be correct.
    [ Reply to This ]

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