Birchover

Coordinates: 53°09′N 1°39′W / 53.15°N 1.65°W / 53.15; -1.65

Birchover is a village and civil parish in the Peak District National Park, in Derbyshire, England. It is about five miles north-west of Matlock, and according to the 2001 UK census had a population of 362.

Eagle Tor is a small hamlet on the north western edge of the parish of Birchover.

History

Birchover is situated near a number of features of geologic and historic interest: a rock formation called Rowtor Rocks, consisting of numerous tunnels, carvings and caves; several prehistoric monuments, including Doll Tor; and a number of stone circles on Stanton Moor. The horror writer Joseph Freeman based a story here, 'A Room of his Own', in his first book Love Stories of the Undead (later reprinted in 2008's "This Is My Blood"), and has had articles published in Saccade magazine and a charity anthology called Dog Tales based on real-life eerie events in the nearby area.

Some people believe that the area was once used by Druids as a ceremonial worship site. This theory is supported by the local stone circle and the strange carvings to be found in the rock formation by the village.