What is the closest town to Lud's Church?

The closest village to Lud's Church is Gradbach. From the village, walk past the Youth Hostel and on downstream to cross a footbridge. Head uphill and then right, following a path towards Swythamley. At the top of the rise, turn sharp left, to reach Lud's Church after a further 200 metres or so.

How long is the walk from Gradbach car park to Lud's Church?

Gradbach and Lud's Church Circular

You can either do the full 10.3km or shorten this walk to 6km if you just want to visit Lud's Church. You'll need to follow the route for 3.3km before arriving at the point of interest, before turning back on yourself and returning to the car park.

Is Lud's Church a hard walk?

TIP: Keep to the left and you'll do a circular trail of the gorge and back to where you entered, it's definitely the best way to see it in all of it's glory. Lud's Church isn't immensely challenging and so even those with minimum fitness should be able to enjoy.

Where to park when visiting Luds Church?

Gradbach parking is where most people park to visit Lud's Church. However, at weekends and holidays, this parking gets full very quickly and you must plan on arriving early (before 9am). So alternatively, this walk starts at layby parking between The Roaches and Lud's Church.

Why is it called Lud's Church?

Lud's Church may have been named after Walter de Ludank or Walter de Lud-Auk who was captured here at one of their meetings. A wooden ship's figurehead from the ship Swythamley formerly stood in a high niche above the chasm, placed there by Philip Brocklehurst, then the landowner, around 1862.

The Peak District - Lud's Church Explored

What village is near Luds Church?

The closest village to Lud's Church is Gradbach. From the village, walk past the Youth Hostel and on downstream to cross a footbridge. Head uphill and then right, following a path towards Swythamley.

What is the myth of Lud's church?

One of our favourites is that Robin Hood and Friar Tuck are reputed to have stayed in the cleft whilst hiding from the authorities. Going further back into the depths of Lud Church's history is a myth that the chasm was created by the devil's finger nail as he scraped back parts of the earth.

Is Luds Church muddy?

Luds church is VERY muddy when wet, there are boardwalks, but these sink and are slippery. Some of the boardwalks around the area get slippery too. 4 hours is about right from the roaches main carpark, across the top, down through the woods and backup via Luds church.

What are the best walks in the Peak District?

Who owns Gradbach Mill?

Gradbach Mill is a stunning building set amongst 16 acres of land, steeped in history dating back to the silk spinning days of the late 1700's. It was acquired by Newcastle under Lyme College in 2013, and transformed into an outdoor adventure centre.

Can you walk from the Roaches to Lud's Church?

Yes, The Roaches and Lud's Church Circular is a forest trail.

What is the hardest walk in the UK?

The Cape Wrath Trail, or CWT, is an almost 400km long-distance route from Fort William to the lighthouse at the most north-westerly point of Scotland, Cape Wrath.

Where to park when walking the Roaches?

The most common free parking is on the roadside along the narrow Roach Road, which runs right below the main ridge. There are numerous small lay-bys and wide verges where you can pull in.

Where did they film Lud's Church?

Lud's Church, Staffordshire. A deep, moss-covered chasm within the Peak District, Lud's Church is an enchanting film and TV location that looks like it belongs to a different planet! Find Lud's Church & more on our Locations Directory via the link in bio 🔗

How long does it take to walk up Mam Tor from the car park?

It takes roughly 1 hour to ascend Mam Tor, depending on your starting point, but if you prefer an easier walk, you can park at the National Trust car park at Mam Nick (S33 8WA), from where there is a well-paved path to the trig point at the summit. This is a great walk for beginners and is relatively easy.

Where to park when visiting Three Shires Head?

The main parking option for those visiting Three Shires Head is the Clough House Car Park. It's free to use, and there are picnic benches, but no other amenities. There are a few laybys along the A54 that can be used for parking as well, although spaces are limited.

What is the prettiest village in the Peak District?

Which is the prettiest part of Peak District?

Parkhouse and Chrome Hill are two of the most photographed spots in the Peak District and it's easy to see why. The interesting geology behind these hills, which were formerly coral reefs, has left a unique landscape.

How long is the Dovedale walk?

Dovedale Stepping Stones Circular is a circular trail that covers 5 km, taking approximately 1.5–2 hr to complete with an elevation gain of 187 m.

Where are The Roaches in Staffordshire?

The stunning gritstone ridge known as The Roaches rises up from moorland close to Leek in the Staffordshire Peak District. At its highest point the ridge reaches 505m (1,657 feet) and provides spectacular views over Staffordshire, Cheshire and even into Lancashire and Wales.

How long is the Luds church hike?

Explore this 10.3-km circular trail near Gradbach, Staffordshire. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 7 min to complete.

Where to hike in Peak District?

Why is Luds Church called Luds Church?

The Lollards also used Luds Church as a safe and secret hiding place. Luds Church may have been named after Walter de Ludank or Walter de Lud-Auk who was captured here at one of their meetings.

What is the devil's footprint in a church?

The Legend of the Devil

The Frauenkirche is the subject of a terrifying legend: The devil himself is said to have left a footprint at the entrance to the main church. As with many myths, there are several versions of how the “Teufelstritt” (literally the devil's footprint) was created.