In days of old many travellers, pedlars, tinkers, jaggers, salters perished trying to cross the open moorland of the peak district in bad weather and with poor visibility. Taking a direct route could save many miles but unless there were natural landmarks to follow things did not always go well. Local people will understand this even now when trying to navigate the road across Warslow Moors & the Mermaid in foggy or snowy conditions!

In 1697 William III passed a decree that in remote upland areas where two or more paths intersect a guide stoop must be erected to show the direction of the nearest market town

In the 300 years since the stoops were erected they have been dug up, used as gateposts, used for military target practice, garden features, incorporated into walls and in WWII they were buried so Jerry couldn’t read them!

Despite this, nearly 50 survive, they are over 300 years old and are a variety of shapes and sizes, with the variable spelling of that time.

Curiously, in 2010, an Arts Council project was devised to place modern stone sculptures up on the moors alongside some of the stoops as Companion Stones. These were designed by local artists and crafted by local sculptors. We will see how they are faring after 15 years.