Nine Standards Rigg

Nine Standards Rigg

Nine Standards Rigg

Discover the intriguing history and breathtaking views of Nine Standards Rigg, a captivating collection of dry-stone pillar cairns perched high above Kirkby Stephen on Hartley Fell.

Despite not being situated at the highest point of the ridge, which is near the trig point, these cairns are believed to have silently stood witness to the passage of time for over 800 years.

In 1984 the cairns were listed Grade II.

Additionally, there is evidence there may have been as many as 13 cairns at one time.

Their role has been variously described as a boundary marker between the old county of Westmorland and Yorkshire to fool marauding Scots or as a shepherd’s meeting place.

Another theory being that they were built by the Roman army to resemble soldiers from a distance.

Nine Standards Rigg

It has also been suggested that their construction had something to do with the Musgrave family who were the principal landowners up to at least 1937.

Many of the claimed sources documenting their origin have been difficult to prove.

On balance, it would seem that Nine Standards Rigg do have history stretching back generations but probably underwent modification.

The route to see the prominent cairns (or nine stone men) standing guard over the town is probably the most popular in the area.

The Coast to Coast Walk was made famous by Alfred Wainwright.

It runs over the summit where walkers can enjoy panoramic views across the Eden Valley.

Kirkby Stephen is a busy agricultural town with an impressive large church dating back to the thirteenth century set in the centre of the town.

Between the churchyard and the market square is the equally impressive red sandstone cloisters.

The walk from the centre of Kirkby Stephen takes about an hour to the summit. 

Nine Standards Rigg

Although the summit is within Cumbria, the Nine Standards Rigg lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If you are looking for a holiday cottage with easy access to the starting point to Nine Standards Rigg enquire here.

 

 

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