A Visit to Lud’s Church
Lud’s Church is a mysterious deep chasm hidden within Back Forest in the Staffordshire Peak District. Formed by a landslip in the gritstone, this atmospheric ravine stretches over 100 metres long and 18 metres deep, with walls covered in mosses, ferns and grasses while trees arch overhead to form a natural roof. Steeped in myth and legend, it was likely a site of Pagan worship and Midsummer ceremonies, later used as a secret place of worship for persecuted Lollards in the 1400s. It is also a strong contender for the location of the Green Chapel in the medieval Arthurian poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Visitors can walk the length of the chasm, though it is almost always wet and muddy. Combine your visit with a walk to the beautiful rocky uplands of The Roaches for the best of this part of the Peak District. Lud’s Church is a fascinating and unforgettable place to explore.
Lud’s Church
The deep, dark chasm of Lud’s Church is a truly mysterious place, hidden within the depths of Back Forest in the Staffordshire Peak District. It’s thought to have been caused by a landslip in the gritstone that characterises this part of the Peak District, most probably as a large mass of rock slipped downhill into the Dane Valley along a fault line in the stone, resulting in the open ravine.
Visitors can venture inside and walk the length of the chasm – but be warned that it is almost always wet and muddy. At over 100 metres long, 18 metres deep, and in places only a couple of metres wide, it towers above those within, dwarfing them with its steep sides.
Inside is green as far as the eye can see. The walls are covered with mosses, ferns and grasses, and arching above the chasm, forming a natural roof, are trees that have grown from both sides to meet in the middle.
It’s hardly surprising that Lud’s Church is a place of myth and legend. It is likely that it would originally have been a place of Pagan worship. Since sunlight really only reaches the depths of the chasm during the height of summer, it’s quite probable that it was the site of Midsummer ceremonies. By the early 1400s it was used as a secret place of worship for Lollards, who were reforming Christians opposed to many practices of the Roman Catholic church and who were persecuted for their beliefs. Lud’s Church is also one of the most likely contenders for the location of the Green Chapel, a key setting in the medieval poem and well known Arthurian story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Whatever your beliefs, Lud’s Church is a fascinating place to explore. Combine your day with a walk from here to the beautiful rocky uplands of The Roaches, to see the best of this part of the Peak District.
How Do I Get to Lud’s Church?
The closest village to Lud’s Church is Gradbach. From the village, walk past the Youth Hostel and carry 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.
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If the mystical, green chasm of Lud’s Church captivated you, the Peak District has many more hidden gems and dramatic landscapes to explore. The Dragon’s Back Walk offers exhilarating ridge walking with panoramic views over the Staffordshire hills, while The Roaches is another spectacular ridge offering stunning views. The Manifold Way provides traffic-free walking through the beautiful Manifold Valley, and Thor’s Cave offers a magnificent natural cavern with its huge arched entrance. Explore more mysterious sites at our Ancient Sites Guide.
