On the rocky escarpment known as the Roaches which tower over the Staffordshire Moorlands in the U.K. can be found an unusual building which was built by Sir Philip Brocklehurst as a hunting lodge in the mid 1800s, there existed at this location before the hunting lodge was built a cave known as Rock Hall, this cave was occupied by an old crone called Bess Bowyer who lived to be nearly one hundred years old.
A view of Rock Hall cottage. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
Rock Hall was a large natural cavern which had been created by rock falls which had formed the roof sides and entrance. Bess had seperated the insides into two rooms, one became her living room and the other became her bedroom, through both of these rooms flowed an ice cold stream, okay in the summer months but very cold during the winter.
Where the hunting lodge now stands would have been the entrance to the cave. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
In the one room which Bess used as a bedroom was an escape route which led out amongst the boulders behind Rock Hall, she would use this to assist smugglers and deserters to avoid capture by soldiers who had been sent to apprehend them, she was obviously able to supplement her meager income in this pursuit.
A view from the rocks Above Rock Hall. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
During part of Bess Bowyers life it is believed that her daughter lived with her, a young attractive girl shrouded in mystery, it was said that she had a fine singing voice that could be heard on summers nights emanating from amongst the rocks, perhaps that is where the legend of the mermaid that inhabits Doxy's pool comes from which can be found close by, it is said that the mermaid would sing and anyone hearing her song would be irresistably drawn to its dark waters where they would disappear into its dark depths.
This is a view taken above Rock Hall looking towards nearby Hen Cloud. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
One winters day Bess Bowyer was seen in some distress, apparently some strange men had carried off her daughter and she was never seen again, it was not long after this incident that Bess Bowyer was found dead in her lonely cave perhaps from a broken heart.
Bess Bowyer was said to be a descendant of "Bowyer of the rocks", a famous or infamous Moss Trooper, these were desperate wanderers over moss and moorland, they were said to be Kings of the Forest, and liberated valuables from people travelling in this part of the country.
These days Rock Hall can be hired out, usually by the many rock climbing parties which visit the Roaches, and probably few if any know of Bess Bowyer and the smugglers who used this place many years ago.
These days the Roaches are a popular destination for climbers to practise on. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
