Mow Cop

(National Trust Property)

Mow Cop (with 'Mow' pronounced to rhyme with 'cow') is a rocky hill nearly 1,100 feet high with a 'mock' ruined castle on top (1754) and straddling the Cheshire-Staffordshire border.   

On 31 May 1807, a group of revivalists, led by local wheelwright, Hugh Bourne, staged England's first 'camp meeting' there.  Based on a phenomenally successful American style of revivalism, camp meetings with Ranter preachers and exuberant prayer were regarded by some as potentially revolutionary and 'highly improper'.   In fact this meeting in which William Clowes, a Burslem potter and leader of another group of revivalists also shared, led in due course to the formation of a separate Primitive Methodist Connexion.  

A 'rock' pulpit monument, standing on the National Trust site just below the 'folly' commemorates the Primitive Methodist heritage of this hillside.

Visitor opening                                                                                             
The 'open air' National Trust site is open throughout the year.  

Worship service
An open-air 'camp meeting' service is held annually on the last Sunday in May.

Also nearby
From the top of the hill visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Englesea Brook Museum of Primitive Methodism and the grave of Hugh Bourne.