This is a much photographed stone circle, featured in many a Peak District calendar, but with only four stones remaining now. One is thought to be a gate post just out of shot but I don't know what became of the other four, though it is known that there were still seven stones standing in the 1800s.
There are lots of bronze and iron age sites in this area, and Nine Stones Close is one of them. It's also known as the Grey Ladies and, of course, has various legends and stories attached, including that of a farm labourer who one day found a clay pipe by the stones, smoked it and could then look through the surface of the earth into fairyland!
This was part of a pleasant Derbyshire walk today, in the mist and drizzle, before heading to Matlock Bath for delicious vegan pizza in The Fishpond. (I went there for the delicious pizza as they sent me a 25% off voucher and their food is very good!).
