Beside the Crooked Edge Brook as it enters the Knoll Wood are at least two, possibly three ring structures composed of large stone blocks of unknown purpose and antiquity.
The structure in it’s context within the landscape is very difficult to interpret as there is definite evidence of quarrying not far away, and the opposite bank of the stream seems to have been shored with dry stone walling. Also further down the valley is the site of the old Knoll Bleach Works that would have required some form of up stream water management.
Further problems occur in identifying the rock structures from the natural rock outcrops that seem to split into large blocks as they erode. However, the ring structures are too well defined to have occured naturally. The massive stone blocks are irregular and could point to the structure being quite ancient.
The soil surface has clearly been eroded by the stream that is right on a meander that could have previously formed a natural plateau. It is inconceivable to imagine the structure being built in such a precarious position. It is difficult to tell whether these rocks are the remnants of some quarrying to provide materials to shore up the stream banks or perhaps this structure was dismantled to provide building stone.
In either case, the use of such large and rough blocks of stone for a building is not contemporary with other local structures of the last centuries. This site is not marked on any of the old or modern OS maps, although many less remarkable structures are. This could mean it’s location, use or interest may have already faded from memory before 1849.
Interestingly RSM lists a ‘Lithic Working Site’ literally an prehistoric quarry and/or stone preparation area not too far away and their map position references can often be extremely vague.
Apart from this description and a little conjecture we have no information regarding this strange site, and we have discovered no historic references.
Knollshaw Stone Rings image by munki-boy
