9 WANDERS - LUDS CHURCH

Lud's Church, also sometimes referred to as Ludchurch, is a profound chasm that pierces the bedrock of Millstone Grit. This remarkable formation was shaped by a massive landslip on the hillside above Gradbach, Staffordshire, England. Situated within the wood known as Back Forest, in the Dark Peak region, it lies towards the southwest border of the Peak District National Park, approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of the A53, between the towns of Leek and Buxton. Stretching over 100 meters (328 feet) in length and reaching a depth of 18 meters (59 feet), the majority of the slope has shifted forward towards the River Dane. Lud's Church is characterized by its mossy and overgrown features, offering a cool and damp environment, even on the hottest of days.