LUD’S CHURCH VIA THREE SHIRE HEADS WALK
Always fancied venturing to Lud’s Church? Why not tick off two Wonders of the Peak in one day with a visit to Three Shires Head and go for a dip while you’re at it?
Start: Gradbach Car Park, SK17 0SU
Distance: 6.65 miles
Duration: 2-3 hours
Elevation: 900 feet
Navigation: follow our route here
Three Shires Head is where the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire meet at a waterfall and collection of pools on the River Dane. It’s a stunning spot, and perfect if you love a wild dip! Even on a cloudy day, it’s a firm favourite Peak District wild swimming location — making the ideal base for a picnic and paddle.
Lud’s Church itself is one the Peak District’s must-see landmarks, and from the moment you step foot into its surrounds, we’re sure you’ll understand why. Pictures definitely don’t do this place justice, so a trip to Lud’s is a must!
The ravine that makes up Lud’s Church is thought to have formed during the post-glacial period —some 11,000 years ago— by a large slip of Roaches Grit: a coarse form of sandstone.
It wasn’t until the 15th century that this place became a popular place to dwell— among a secret community, at least. A group of religious dissenters called the Lollards flocked here to hold covert religious meetings to escape the prosecution of the Catholic Church. It’s thought the name of a man arrested at one of these meetings, Walter de Ludank, inspired the name of the site.
Today, the area provides a dramatic nature walk through the Black Forest, transporting passers-by into old England and its many forgotten tales. You certainly don’t have to stretch your imagination too much to picture this place as the origin of many myths and mysteries.
Over the centuries, its’s been associated with tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, who’re thought to have hid here as a place of refuge.
Our route starts in Gradbach, first taking you up a forgiving ascent up to Three Shires Head. Once here, make the most of the opportunity for a pitstop — whether you fancy a wild dip or a quick refuel. From here, we return along the River Dane back towards Gradbach, where you can stop off at The Cafe at Gradbach. The cafe sells everything from sweet treats and coffees, to even a prosecco and a pint! Can’t find a better pitstop around, if you ask us.
From the cafe, we begin a short climb up to, what some may deem, the main event: Lud’s Church. This mystical chasm is shrouded in history and myth at every turn — we’ve visited a handful of times and it never fails to take our breath away!
With such a variety of landscapes in a relatively short walk, this is definitely one of our favourite walks in the North West. It’s a cracking walk and takes in multiple picturesque parts of this beautiful area. And if you fancy making a proper day of it, why not take a trip to The Roaches following our extended route here?
Fancy following along? Find step-by-step navigation here
