#090 Shelters, Shrines & Stonework in The Peak District & Beyond.

In this edition we explore a delightful and eclectic selection of buildings and monuments of varying functions and ages. We start within the Peak District and then move our attention further afield, to places I have enjoyed visiting. All these structures have a theme of self-supporting corbelled roof construction or similar appearance and style.

Kazun roundhouse - Parsley Hay

In 2013 a round-house was built alongside the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay, near Hartington. This limestone “Kažun” shepherds hut was constructed by Croatian traditional craftsmen using Croatian dry stone walling techniques.  It was a gift from the Republic of Croatia as part of a number of events to mark Croatia’s entry to the European Union.

In native Croatia, these circular shelters with conical roof, were built mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries for farm workers and animals in the limestone countryside of Istria.

Credit: Buxton Advertiser

The opening ceremony was documented in the Buxton Advertiser.
https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/croatian-round-house-symbolises-shared-tradition-in-peak-district-2336278

St Joseph's Shrine Goyt valley

The Shrine is situated in the landscape to the rear of the former Errwood Hall. The hall itself was built by wealthy Manchester businessman Samuel Grimshawe in the 1830's. But it was demolished in 1934 when the Stockport Corporation purchased the estate to build reservoirs which required the partial flooding of the Goyt Valley.

"Those who make the trek up the steep winding track do not go unrewarded, for the Shrine is glimpsed quite suddenly, hiding almost secretly among a few weather worn pine trees."

In peaceful seclusion, St. Joseph's Shine is a small round stone building with a conical stone roof and a strong oak door. When the oak door is opened, directly in view is the small altar with St. Joseph pictured holding Jesus as a baby.

The coloured glazed tiles, of Spanish origin, were set in a wooden frame before being assembled in the Shrine. Just above the picture of St. Joseph is a small marble slab with the inscription, in Spanish, translated as "No one asks in vain of St. Joseph, a token of gratitude" 

The initials D de Y, are those of Dolores, with the date 1889. Sister Dolores was Spanish and came to Errwood soon after the death of Samuel Grimshawe in 1883 as companion to his widow, Jessie. She set up the first school at the Hall and taught needlework and other subjects to  estate children.

Sister Dolores
Credit: https://www.goyt-valley.org.uk/

Brown knoll stone igloo

Very little is written about the history of this structure. At various times it has been in a ruinous state, but subsequently reconstructed by skillful hands. I have shared the experience of sitting inside, serving hot drinks and tasty treats, with guests on my Winter Wonders Guided Walk. The annual pre-Christmas date is perfect for folks to get away from the all the commercialism and enjoy a relaxed pace, entertaining, mini-adventure. 

Dates to join Stu on the Ranger Expeditions Winter Wonders Walk.
Sat 13th December 2025
Sat 12th December 2026
https://rangerexped.co.uk/kinder-scout-winter-wonders/

Beyond the Peak District

In the archaeology of the British Isles, perhaps the most well known and certainly iconic example of corbelled roofing is the Maeshowe chambered cairn passage tomb on Orkney. I visited Maeshowe many years ago as part of a film making project, experiencing the numerous tombs and settlement remains of the Neolithic and early bronze age, discussing the motivations and cosmology of our ancestors.

Maeshowe is only accessible as a guided visit and photography inside is strictly curtailed. The cairn mound is large and imposing on the landscape, 24 metres in diameter and rising to 7.3 metres. It is estimated that it took up to 100,000 man hours to construct. Once at the entrance, you have to stoop or crawl along the 1 metre high passage for 11 metres. Was this intended as an act of reverence? What we do know is the passage was specifically constructed aligned to that sunlight illuminates the wall of the rear chamber at the Winter Solstice. 

The central chamber is tall enough to stand up in. It is constructed from slabs of local flagstone with huge buttresses in each corner. At about 1 metre above the floor, overlapping stonework begins, creating the distinctive bee hive vaulted ceiling of a corbelled roof. The Maeshowe architecture certainly created an atmosphere of theatre in which to frame the ritual performances of the Neolithic.

The exterior of Maeshowe (filming is not allowed inside) is featured in my self made film Neolithic Orkney Part 2 at 4min 59sec.

The Penmon Dovecote

Dovecotes seldom come more impressive than this. Built around 1600, it's huge domed roof provided cover for 1000 nest slots in the walls underneath. The pigeons and doves were an important source of meat and eggs in these times.

Inside the vaulted dome is a stone pillar some 12ft high, which would have supported a revolving ladder used to reach the nests lining the walls.

Stu Westfield
Ranger Expeditions - Guided Walks & Adventures
https://rangerexped.co.uk/