The Hemlock Stone

This is an "outlier" pillar of sandstone eroded into strange shapes. The rock is Nottingham Sandstone - which underlies most of the city and is also the rock on which the castle stands.

This rock is associated with all sorts of ancient Celtic and Druidic traditions, and a fire used to be lit here every year on Beltane's Eve. Near here is a spring known as a "Healing Well" which for many years was used by gypsies and miners as a place to wash, as well as being a local "cure-all".

Local author DH Lawrence, in Sons and Lovers, described this as " a little twisted lump of rock like a shrivelled mushroom, standing out pathetically on the side of the field". Pretty disparaging for something most unusual and over 80 feet high.

Many theories exist as to how the rock got its name. Local folklore has it that witches at the site used hemlock in their potions.

To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II on 3rd June 2002, a beacon was lit atop the stone as a finale to The Hemlock Happening - a community event. This probably accounts for the blackened stone cap.
Previously, on 25th October 1809, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of King George III, a bullock was roasted on the top of the stone, and slices of meat were handed out to the people of the two local villages of Bramcote and Stapleford.