When I flew this location I had no idea of its significance but on getting home I discovered it had a gruesome past.
Peter’s Stone, also known as Gibbet Rock, is a notable geological and historical feature located in the Wardlow Mires at the northern end of Cressbrook Dale in Derbyshire, England. This circular limestone dome is steeped in both natural beauty and a grisly past.
Geological Significance
Geologically, Peter’s Stone is a distinctive limestone knoll that offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley. It is believed to have slid downhill on a layer of clay from the main limestone formation millions of years ago, creating the pinnacle that stands today⁴.
Historical Infamy
Historically, Peter’s Stone is infamous for being the site of the last gibbeting in Derbyshire. Gibbeting was a practice where the bodies of executed criminals were displayed in iron cages as a deterrent to others. The local legend tells of Anthony Lingard, a 21-year-old man from Tideswell, who was convicted and executed for the murder of Hannah Oliver in 1815. His body was then hung in chains on Peter’s Stone, marking what was believed to be the county’s last gibbeting. However, records suggest that gibbeting continued until 1832, two years before it was formally abolished.
