Lud's Church (sometimes written as Ludchurch) is a deep chasm penetrating the Millstone Grit bedrock created by a massive landslip on the hillside above Gradbach, Staffordshire, England. It is located at SJ987656 in a wood known as Back Forest, in the White Peak, towards the southwest fringe of the Peak District National Park about 4 km west of the A53 between Leek and Buxton. Over 100 m long and 18 m deep, it is mossy and overgrown, wet and cool even on the hottest of days.
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Lud's Church is formed within the thick bed of coarse Carboniferous sandstone known as the Roaches Grit which here dips northeastwards into the Goyt Syncline. The rocks of this area are traversed by numerous roughly northwest-to-southeast-oriented faults and fracture planes. In addition, weak layers of mudstone exist within the sequence. It is along such lines of weakness that a large mass of the Roaches Grit bounding the northeast side of the rift has slipped slightly downhill into the Dane Valley resulting in the open rift. The age of the movement is unknown but is likely to be post-glacial.
It is believed that the chasm was considered by early Pagans to be a sacred place, most likely due to the phenomenon that occurs on Midsummer Day, where only on this day does the sun's light penetrate deep into the chasm.[1] Lud, known as Nud in Welsh, or Nodens by the ancient Britons, is a major Celtic deity associated with many parts of Britain and with the Arthurian Fisher King and, by way of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Man.
The area also has a place in Christian history: the Lollards, who were followers of John Wycliffe, an early church reformer, are supposed to have used this as a secret place of worship during the early 15th century, when they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs.[2] 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.[2][3] 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. It was called 'Lady Lud' and was supposed to commemorate the death of the daughter of a Lollard preacher.[3][4]
A number of climbing routes up the sides of the chasm were pioneered during the 20th century but climbing is now discouraged so as to protect the lower plants that have colonised the damp rock-faces.
Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Bonny Prince Charlie are all reputed to have hidden from the authorities within the chasm.[5] Ralph Elliott, local Luddites (known to be active in the area during the Luddite protests), and others have identified Lud's Church as the Green Chapel of 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'.[6]
Another legend has it that Lud's Church was named after a horse: supposedly, a huntsman was pursuing a deer and as he followed it on horseback he was led to the chasm. The hunter failed to see the danger but his horse, Lud, did: when the rider went too close, the horse bucked and threw him to his death in the chasm. There are also connected rumours that originate from a similar period in time, suggesting that the hunter that was killed still roams around the woods and the area. It is said that he is covered from head to toe in moss and leaves so the locals called this legendary being the green man.
To get to Lud's Church requires a little walking up a few inclines. There is a car park around two miles from the location at which you can park (located at 53.193063, -2.002955) for free. Walk out of that car park and turn right, following the narrow road. As you walk along the road, you’ll approach a fork; take the right side and walk down the hill to the Gradbach Mill Youth Hostel. Once at the Hostel you’ll see the hostel on your right, a footbridge in front of you and a muddy path to the left. Follow the muddy path to the left, which in turn curves to the left. You will then come to a small gate: go through the gate and follow the path to the right.
Around 20m further on there is a narrow stile on your right (with a private grounds sign on a gate further behind it). Go through that stile and turn left. Follow the road for around 30m. On the corner of the road, you’ll see another stile and if you look over the wall to the right you will see the footbridge that you need to cross.
Cross the footbridge and you will come to a signpost. Head for Swythamley. Head straight up in hill, then follow the path that goes to the right. Stay along this path until you come to a large rock formation on your right (a good ten-minute walk). You will then see a sign for Lud's Church to the left; follow it, and within a few minutes you’ll arrive.