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Os grid reference SJ.244847. Thurstaston is about 2 miles south of West Kirby at the far north-western side of the Wirral Peninsula. On Thurstaston Common a 298 foot high hill has a large red sandstone outcrop, on the landward side, known as Thor's Stone. One large rectangular block of stone that is 50 feet in length, 30 feet wide by 25 foot high has been eroded over thousands of years. The rock is named after the Norse god Thor - he who causes thunder and lightning. Viking settlers from Thingwell apparently settled here in the 10th century AD and, according to legend, these settlers used the stone as a pagan altar with blood sacrifices taking place here. Another legend says that Thor tossed the large stone here in anger and yet another says that the stone was raised here to commemorate the battle of Brunanburh in 937 AD. The name Thurstaston probably means Thorstein's farmstead.
These legends though bear no truth whatsoever. The outcrop has been eroded away over thousands of years by the weather, post glacial erosion and even quarrying, leaving strange shapes, features and projections in the soft sandstone. There is much recent graffiti to be seen all over the rock, especially on the summit and sides including one set of graffiti carved by Professor Taylor in 1879. There used to be a fairy well near the stone but this disappeared long ago. Children took flowers to the well to decorate it, while adults visited it to receive a cure for various ailments of the body.
These legends though bear no truth whatsoever. The outcrop has been eroded away over thousands of years by the weather, post glacial erosion and even quarrying, leaving strange shapes, features and projections in the soft sandstone. There is much recent graffiti to be seen all over the rock, especially on the summit and sides including one set of graffiti carved by Professor Taylor in 1879. There used to be a fairy well near the stone but this disappeared long ago. Children took flowers to the well to decorate it, while adults visited it to receive a cure for various ailments of the body.
You wouldn't have any further info on the Fairy Well would you?