Lud's Church

Lud's Church is situated towards the north west fringe of the Peak District National Park and is a deep dark chasm created by a massive landslip on the hillside above Gradbach in a forest known as Black Forest.It is over 100m long and 18m high,is mossy and overgrown,wet and cool even on the hottest of days.

Years ago a wooden statue stood in a high niche above the chasm.It was called Lady Lud and was said to be the figurehead from the ship Swythamley.

Lud's Church

Legend

According to tradition,The Lollards,who were followers of John Wycliffe an early church reformer,used this as a secret place of worship during the early 15th century whilst they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Lud's Church may have been named after Walter de Ludbank who was captured here at one of their meetings.

How to find

To find Lud's Church use the car-park at Gradbach and walk down to the Youth Hostel and downstream to the footbridge.Cross the footbridge and take the footpath up the hill and turn right to follow a path to Swythamley.At the top rise turn left and follow the path to Lud's Church.