Double sunset

Such phenomena may have been regarded as significant in prehistoric times, and double sunsets have been discussed in the context of archaeoastronomy by researchers such as Alexander Thom.

[4][5][6] The first published mention of the Leek double sunset was made in 1686 by Dr Robert Plot in his book The Natural History Of Stafford-Shire.

[12][13] It is, however, still observable from Leek on and around the summer solstice from the road to Pickwood Hall, off Milltown Way,[14] and from Lowe Hill on the outskirts of the town.

[15] Better viewing points, though, are from the A 523, above Rudyard Lake,[16] and Woodhouse Green,[17] both of which are nearer to The Cloud and therefore enable a larger proportion of the sun to reappear.

Euan MacKie, recognising that Thom's theories needed to be tested, excavated at the site in 1970 and 1971, and found evidence for an observation platform.