Harboro' Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harboro' Rocks |
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| Harborough Rocks | |
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Harboro' Rocks from the High Peak Trail
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 379 metres (1,243 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Brassington, Derbyshire, England |
| OS grid | SK243553 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL24 |
Harboro' Rocks (also called Harborough Rocks) is a cool hill in the Peak District in Derbyshire, England. It's made of a special type of rock called dolomitic limestone. The top of the hill is about 379 meters (1,243 feet) above sea level. From here, you can see amazing views, including Carsington Water.
Contents
Harboro' Cave: A Home Through Time
Harboro' Cave is a natural cave right in the rocks of Harboro' Rocks. People have lived in this cave for a very long time, even since the Ice Age! Archaeologists, who study old things, have found clues that show humans used this cave.
In 1726, a famous writer named Daniel Defoe wrote about a family of seven living in the cave. The father was a lead miner. Defoe said they looked very thin but seemed happy living there. Today, Harboro' Cave is a protected Scheduled Monument. This means it's an important historical site that must be preserved. There are also old settlement sites and ancient burial mounds nearby.
Golconda Mine: A Rich History
On the northeast side of Harboro' Rocks, you'll find the Golconda lead mine. This mine was part of a bigger mining area owned by the Gell family. The mine started way back in the 1700s. Its main shaft goes down more than 100 meters (328 feet)!
The name "Golconda" comes from a famous diamond mine in India. It was used for mines that were very rich and produced a lot of valuable minerals. After closing in 1913, the Golconda mine reopened in 1915 to dig for a mineral called baryte. It kept going until 1953. For many years, special bricks for furnaces were also made here from local sand.
Rock Climbing Adventures
Most of the White Peak area is made of a type of rock called carboniferous limestone. But Harboro' Rocks is different! Its jagged dolomitic limestone cliffs are perfect for rock climbing. There are over 100 climbing routes here, from easy climbs to more challenging ones. You can also try bouldering, which is climbing on smaller rocks without ropes.
Rainster Rocks: Another Ancient Site
Nearby, you'll find Rainster Rocks, which is another hill made of dolomitic limestone. This place was once home to a Romano-British settlement around the 3rd century. You can still see the remains of walls made from large upright stones and earth terraces. When people dug here, they found old pottery, metal tools, and coins. Rainster Rocks is also a protected ancient monument.
For over 100 years, Rainster Rocks was a popular spot for rock climbing, with more than 80 routes. However, the landowners stopped all climbing there in 2018.
Exploring the Area
The land around Harboro' Rocks is "Open Access" land. This means the public can walk and explore freely, thanks to a law called the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
You can also find several walking trails near Harboro' Rocks. The High Peak Trail and the Midshires Way footpaths both follow the same path along the southwest side of the hill. The Limestone Way, a long-distance footpath, passes by the northwest side of the hill.
