Staunton Buck Stone

A third short walk we did during our holiday in the Forest of Dean. This was a somewhat spontaneously chosen walk, picked because it happened to be en route from where we were staying (Clearwell) to Abergavenny, where we were going for lunch that day to meet family.

We parked on the edge of Staunton on a little dead end side road with only a very modest sign indiciating the Buckstone, then followed a little daffodil lined track a short way up the hill before a footpath turned off to the right.

The path was very pleasant, through the woods, following a moss covered dry stone wall.

Further up the hill were some natural rock formations - at times used to help build the boundary wall - and slightly reminiscent of the Scowles we'd seen at Puzzlewood.

It didn't take long - perhaps 20 minutes or so - to get to the Buck Stone. The sky was a little hazy this morning, but on a clearer day this would offer fine views, and presumably the hills visible in the distance are those above Symonds Yat.

Apparently at one time the buck stone was a logan stone, and would rock, but was cemented in place after an accident in the 19th Century. Walking around the stone I could see what seemed to be the cement, along with a couple of iron bars, and what also looked like some carvings - possibly a date in roman numerals?

As we headed back to the car we caught a glimpse a small herd of deer frolicking about in the woods, which was rather magical. Unfortunately they ran off before I could get my phone out to take a photo, but here's a photo of some fresh deer tracks instead.