Great Stone of Fourstones, Glacial erratic at Tatham Fells border, England.
Description
The Great Stone of Fourstones is a glacial boulder standing on open moorland at the edge of the Forest of Bowland between North Yorkshire and Lancashire. The massive rock rises roughly 18 feet (5.5 m) high and sits at the ancient boundary between the parishes of Tatham and Bentham.
History
The stone first appears in historical records through John Cary's New and Correct English Atlas from 1793, where it marks a parish boundary. This documented reference shows how the rock served as a recognized landmark for mapping the moorland terrain.
Culture
Local legends connect this stone to a tale of the devil transporting it to build a bridge at nearby Kirkby Lonsdale. These stories have shaped how people in the region understand and remember the place.
Practical
Visitors can reach the stone by walking south from High Bentham along the route crossing Thickrash Brow. A set of carved steps built into the rock provides safe access to the top of the boulder.
Did you know?
Two circular holes mark the top surface of the stone, each measuring about 2 inches (5 cm) deep and wide. These distinctive pits give the rock an unusual appearance and their origin remains a point of curiosity for visitors.
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