Lud’s Church via The Roaches and Hen Cloud

About Lud’s Church

Lud’s Church has been on our to-do list for a while, but we just never got around to doing it. When we finally did, we were not disappointed. We opted for a 10 mile walk starting out at The Roaches, Hen Cloud and then onto Lud’s Church. Starting off outside The Roaches Tearooms there is free parking – you might have to go travel a bit further up the road if starting out later as it gets busy. The walk also does not have any public toilet facilities.

This mysterious and beautiful chasm was first utilised by the Lollards, who used it as a secret place to worship – a pre-protestant Christian group who rejected Catholicism and as a result were persecuted. One of many popular mythological references is that Robin Hood and Friar Tuck often used it as a hideout.

Route Description

(1) Parking up in the layby outside of The Roaches Tearoom, follow the road north and shortly take a right turn through the gate. Take the track in front of you and find the trail to ascent Hen Cloud which is in front of you.

This early ascent involves a bit of scrambling and has some steep sections to it. There is an easier route up if you follow the path around, but this way is much more fun. On a good day, the views from the top are stunning.

Reaching the top of Hen Cloud, follow the path to the left and head down towards a gate. Follow the path as you head past The Roaches gritstone rocks. On our visit there were several groups of rock climbers around this section.

Follow the path through the woodland, and then take a right up some steps to the edge of The Roaches. As you head along, this section is very exposed, so be sure to have a spare layer in case you need it – even on a sunny day.

A little further along you will come to Doxey’s Pool – at the time works were in progress fencing the pool off to improve the water quality and reduce the erosion around the pool edges. Keep heading along and you will reach The Roaches trig point.

Stage 2 – The Roaches to Lud’s Church

Heading off from the trig point follow the path along as it descends towards the road. Crossing over the road through the wall, take an immediate right and go through the gate. Follow the path down into some secluded woodland.

Follow the path and signs for Lud’s Church and take a right at an area with a small boarded walk section. Continue on this path for a short section and you reach Lud’s Church. Descend the steps into the chasm.

Pictures really do not do it justice and you could spend a fair length of time exploring down here. On our visit we were lucky and it wasn’t too muddy, but it gets very muddy at times. As always, make sure you have appropriate footwear.

Stage 3 – Lud’s Church to Roach End

Coming out of Lud’s Church, continue along the path with the River Dane to your right. After a while you will reach a left turn that heads up hill. This path leads you back round to the road at Roach End.

Stage 4 – Roach End to Ramshaw Rocks

Take a left at the road, and follow the track down towards the farm and past the small school. Keep walking on the path, until you reach the bridge of Black Brook.

Keep walking alongside Black Brook, keeping it on your right, and follow it all the way until you reach some farm buildings. Go through the gate and turn right, continue on the path, then bear left heading up towards the road.

Turn right and walk up the road until you reach a T-junction, cross here and then pick up the footpath heading towards Ramshaw Rocks.

Stage 5 – Ramshaw Rocks to Upper Hulme

Follow the path along Ramshaw Rocks, then down where you reach the road again. On the opposite side of the road, look for a footpath that heads downhill, running parallel to the road. Then turn right through Naychurch and continue as the track winds down towards another farm, Well Farm.

Go through the farm, then turn right onto the footpath that will bring you out to the base of Hen Cloud and The Roaches. Continue walking until you reach the road. Turn left and you’ll be back at the layby.