A Visit to Minninglow
Visit Minninglow, a remarkable collection of ancient tombs on a hilltop in the Derbyshire Peak District, just off the High Peak Trail. This mysterious site features an Early Neolithic chambered tomb dating back over 5,000 years, along with Bronze Age bowl barrows, all crowned by a distinctive double ring of beech trees visible for miles around. As one of only 300 surviving chambered tombs in England, it holds Scheduled Ancient Monument status and offers a fascinating glimpse into Britain’s earliest rural communities. Excavations have uncovered human bones, Roman bronzes, coins, and pottery, hinting at the site’s long and layered history. Please visit with the respect and reverence this ancient burial ground deserves.
The mysterious site of Minninglow (also referred to as Minning Low) is located just off the High Peak Trail in the Peak District in Derbyshire. It’s a remarkable collection of ancient tombs strewn through woodland on the top of a hill, with a distinctive double ring of beech trees that make it a landmark for many miles around.
The tombs include an Early Neolithic chambered tomb dating back over 5,000 years, containing two complete chambers made of limestone slabs, and three further incomplete chambers. There are also bowl barrows that date back to the Bronze Age.
Chambered tombs mark the resting places of Britain’s earliest rural communities. They were often used for communal burials and were also likely to have been ritual sites for local people. Only 300 such tombs still survive in England, and the tomb at Minninglow has heritage status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance.
Excavations of the chambered tomb carried out between 1843 and 1851 revealed human bones, as well as Roman bronzes, coins and pottery dating from the 3rd Century, suggesting that the Romans had also used or disturbed the site. Excavations of the Bronze Age barrows revealed two flint knives, a bronze razor and a bone tool.
An Important Word!
Minninglow is an ancient, sacred site of national importance. It is also a burial ground. If you do explore this beautiful place, please do so with the respect and reverence it deserves. Please don’t disturb or move any of the rocks, take all litter away with you and remember that overnight camping is not permitted. Thank you!
How Do I Get to Minninglow?
There is a concessionary footpath to Minninglow from the High Peak Trail. The nearest car park is at Mouldridge Lane, off Parwich Lane, Matlock DE4 2PN. From the car park walk in an easterly direction, crossing over a narrow lane and joining the High Peak Trail heading towards Minninglow Hill. The path is on the left hand side.
The grid reference for the site is SK 2094 5727.
Find out more
To find out more, click on the button below:
If the ancient mystery of Minninglow and its Neolithic chambered tombs fascinated you, the Peak District has many more remarkable historical sites to explore. Arbor Low is one of the most important Neolithic sites in the UK, a remarkably well-preserved stone henge dating back to around 2500 BC. The Nine Ladies Stone Circle on Stanton Moor dates back to the Bronze Age and is surrounded by fascinating myth and legend. The mysterious Rowtor Rocks features ancient carvings and cave tunnels, and the High Peak Trail passes close to many ancient sites. Explore more mysteries at our Ancient Sites Guide.
