Monument record 2854/0/1 - The Golden Stone Boundary Marker, 250m north west of Edge House Farm

A large (c. 2.6m x 1.9m x 0.9m) rectangular boulder located within a field bank on the north side of the road to Edge House Farm. The stone is comprised of Engine Vein conglomerate and was quarried very close to its present location. The stone was used as a boundary marker for the late medieval estates of the Stanley and De Trafford families and also lies on the boundary between the parishes of Over Alderley and Nether Alderley. It is indicated upon the 1775 Enclosure map and refered to as one of the "merestones" in the perambulation of May 1598. It also has much local folklore attached to it. (1)

According to (2), this is a large rectangular boulder of Engine Vein conglomerate lying within an earth field bank adjacent to the road at Edge House Farm. Mentioned in the Alderely mere stone perambulation of May 1598 and indicated on the Inclosure map. There is evidence that this has been partly quarried away, with a bore or a shothole visible and also pick marks. A. Garner believes there is evidence for early working or hammering to the base. It could either be an erratic boulder or it may have been rolled to this position. It could also possibly be a recumbent standing stone (2).

<1> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 2001/33860 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<1> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 2001/33860 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<2> 1998, Alderley Edge Landscape Project Archive (Unpublished Report). SCH4334.