Lud's Church
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What is Lud's Church?
Lud's Church is one of the most mysterious places in the Peak District. It is not, as many people assume, a man-made church, but a deep natural cleft hidden in a hillside at the top of the Back Forest in Cheshire.
There are many stories associated with Lud's Church. It has been cited as one of Robin Hood's hideouts, a secret place of worship for the Lollards (a heretic movement) and also most famously, as the site of the Green Chapel in Gawain and the Green Knight.
Being a big fan of all things weird and wonderful, I was amazed that I had never heard of this before, and had to make a trip there to see it for myself. This page attempts to reveal the unique nature of the site, but it can only be fully appreciated in person.
There are many stories associated with Lud's Church. It has been cited as one of Robin Hood's hideouts, a secret place of worship for the Lollards (a heretic movement) and also most famously, as the site of the Green Chapel in Gawain and the Green Knight.
Being a big fan of all things weird and wonderful, I was amazed that I had never heard of this before, and had to make a trip there to see it for myself. This page attempts to reveal the unique nature of the site, but it can only be fully appreciated in person.
Information you can find on this page
Click the title to jump to the topic
- Helpful Links for Luds Church
- How to Get to Lud's Church
- A Map Showing the Lud's Church Region
- Where Does the Name Come From?
- The journey into Lud's Church
- Gawain and the Green Knight and Lud's Church explored...
- Books connected with the legends of Lud's Church.
- Walks that include Lud's Church
- Lud's Church Exit
- Thanks for stopping by - please share your thoughts here
Helpful Links for Luds Church
These links offer extra information about Lud's Church and the surrounding area.
- The Modern Antiquarian - Lud's Church
- Lud's Church (Ludchurch) (Natural Rock Feature) on The Modern Antiquarian, the UK & Ireland's most popular megalithic community website. 7 images, 5 fieldnotes, 6 pieces of folklore, plus information on many more ancient sites nearby and across the UK & Ireland.
- Youth Hostel, Gradbach - General - YHA
- Gradbach Youth Hostel, based in Peak District. This is a mere 15 minutes away from Lud's Church.
- Wincle Parish - The Ship Inn
- Wincle is a tiny, but very picturesque village near to Lud's Church. The Ship Inn serves fantastic food, but is packed out at the weekends. If you think you might want to eat here, then do book ahead. The restaurant is quite expensive, but bar snacks are available.
- BBC Article about Lud's Church and the Lollards
- A short piece about the Lollard legend associated with the site. Was Lud's Church used for clandestine worship?
How to Get to Lud's Church
The easiest way to find Lud's Church is to park at Gradbach carpark (off the A53 Buxton to Leek Road, just near Wincle). *Note - weekends are busy so get there early if you can. Turn right out of the carpark and walk along the road until you reach Gradbach YHA. This takes about 15 minutes. I believe that there may be a path that runs below in the valley, but I have not tried this.At Gradbach YHA, stand with your back towards the mill and you should see a path that crosses a footbridge and leads directly into the dale (don't take the footbridge at the side of the mill that leads you up a steep path). You should see the frontage of the mill behind you (see photo) if you are on the right track.
The path is fairly well-signposted and you should follow the signs that lead up the hill and through the Black Forest to Swythamley. Continue up and across until you reach an outcrop of rocks at the top. The entrance to Lud's Church is very close...
A Map Showing the Lud's Church Region
Lud's Church and Gradbach are between Allgreave and Wincle. Unfortunately the map won't drill down further, but this does give some indication of the area where you can find the chasm. It's fairly off the beaten track and not in the section of the Peak District that's most frequented by tourists.
Where Does the Name Come From?
Lud's Church is thought to have been named after Walter de Ludank or Walter de Lud-Auk who was captured here as he worshipped with the Lollards.
Gawain and the Green Knight and Lud's Church explored...
I've included some interesting links from British newspapers below, which examine the site's links with the famous English poem.
- Peak District: Into the chasm of death - Telegraph
- In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain faces an appointment with death in the Green Chapel. Neil Griffiths traverses the Peak District in search of this legendary venue, believed by scholars to be a natural ravine
- Simon Armitage in The Guardian
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the finest surviving examples of Middle English poetry, but little is known about the author - except hints that he came from the north of England. How could
Books connected with the legends of Lud's Church.
Walks that include Lud's Church
I have listed links to a couple of walks around the Lud's Church area. This is a fascinating part of the Peak District and crammed with geological delights.
- The Roaches & Lud's Church
- Snap the Peaks - a photo guide to walking in the Peak District, illustrated with maps and photographs.
- Walk 2604 - Dane Valley & Wincle from Rushton Spencer - Staffordshire - a walk description from Walking Britain
- The Dane Valley offers walkers some excellent scenery without too much effort.
Lud's Church Exit
This image sums it up for me. It feels very ancient and full of wisdom. The light emanates from sun breaking through the canopy of Back Forest.
Thanks for stopping by - please share your thoughts here
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GrammaLinda
Jan 17, 2012 @ 10:34 pm | delete
- I would love to visit the UK and see this someday. Thank you for sharing.
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jgelien
Nov 7, 2010 @ 9:26 pm | delete
- This looks like a place I would love to see someday. The history behind it makes it extremely interesting. Thank you for this lens.
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CDT
Sep 13, 2010 @ 12:32 pm | delete
- What an interesting looking place - I'm also from the UK and have never heard of it though! I wonder if the name originally had any connection with the Celtic diety Lud (also known as Llud)? Many natural formations were sites of ancient worship to Pagan dieties but their names and use have been "sanitised" over the years :)
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