Staffordshire - the Roaches and Lud's church.

[A.W.U.K.]

Actually got out for a little winter walk the other day. This area is in the Staffordshire moorlands, on the edge of the Peak District. The Peak District is mostly in Derbyshire but some picturesque parts, such as the Roaches and Dovedale, are just over the border in Staffordshire.
The name the Roaches comes from the French Roches, referring to the rock outcrops in the area. The rock is the famous Millstone Grit, a type of hard sandstone much quarried in the past for making, you guessed it, millstones. Millstone Grit was also much used for building, particularly for angles, reveals and arches, as it can be cut to precise shapes and weathers well.

View back down the valley from the parking place. Just out of view to the left there is a lay-by big enough for 3 or 4 cars. The water is the Tittesworth reservoir.

Rock outcrop.

Grouse!

The footpath is just to the left of this farm track.

Looking back towards the parking area: The farm track to the left of the dry stone wall, footpath on the right.

Some patches of snow remaining on the hills.

Going downhill here.

There must be a lot of erosion as the path has been consolidated with lumps of Millstone Grit.

Across a little brook

Into Back Forest: A finger post ahead.

 

[A.W.U.K.]

To Lud's Church.

Lud's Church is actually a cleft in the rock, caused by the millstone grit moving on the softer mudstone below.

Down in the cleft: It is inadviseable to enter the section in the previous photo.

Further in.

The cleft is up to 60 feet deep but only a few feet wide. There is very little light on this winter's day.

The name Lud's Church comes from the fact that back in the early 1400's, the Lollards, followers of John Wyclif, gathered here in secret. The Lollard Walter de Ludank was captured here.

The Lollards were considered heretics by the Catholic church and were persecuted.

It is said that Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Bonnie Prince Charlie all hid in Lud's Church. Also it is believed this is the place where Sir Gawain Met the Green Knight, as described in the poem.

Sign for Lud's Church at the other end of the cleft.

The lower entrance to Lud's Church.

 

[A.W.U.K.]

A nearby outcrop of Millstone Grit.

In Back Forest.

Just beyond the trees a flock of sheep has formed a circle. Something I've never seen before!

Stile back to the parking area.

Cozy Elizabethan pub in the nearby town of Leek

 

[dialton]

Cool pics. Lots of history there...

 

[Stickman]

Thanks for the great tour, enjoyed the photos very much.

 

[HornyToad]

Love your posts. :thumbup:

 

[MIKE MACINTOSH]

Thanks for posting:thumbup:

 

[fatcat55]

Great pictures. Very informative and educational narrative. Thanks for sharing.

 

[John G]

Great pics, I feel as if you took us along.

 

[Raymond1000]

When you mentioned Ludd’s Church I thought you were talking about old Ned Ludd; King Ludd. General Ludd. The eponymous leader of the Luddites.

Chant no more your old rhymes about bold Robin Hood
His Feats I but little admire
I will sing the Achievements of General Ludd
Now the Hero of Nottinghamshire.
Brave Ludd was to measures of violence unused
Till his sufferings became so severe
That at last to defend his own Interest he rous'd
And for the great work did prepare.

 

[neeman]

Makes me quite homesick for the Fells and Bog Trotting

Lovely set of photos

 

[wackafew]

Nice place for a walk:thumbup:

 

[Watchful]

I'm alway impressed by Andrew's ability to find history, adventure, natural beauty, and wonder in the world around him--things most of us would pass by everyday without a second thought.

And what incredible photography! The composition and balance in the photos always makes me feel as if I'm there, with him.

Yet another superb post!

 

[pbonanza]

Top pics, thanks for sharing

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great photos

 

[Toadkiller]

Awesome pics, I need to visit there one day, very awesome.

 

[Shotgun]

Nice looking area. I find it interesting to look at because it's so different from where I live. There's hardly any trees. In my area, you throw a rock, you hit a tree. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ratamahatta]

great post!!!!!

 

[LEGION 12]

Always enjoy your pics. and posts A.WU.K.

 

[lambertiana]

I like the mix of outdoors and history. I also wonder how long those stone walls have been in those fields.

Since geology is my true love in life, I would definitely have picked up a representative sample of the millstone grit for my collection.