Places to see: The Roaches and Lud's Church

The Roaches and Lud's Church - Staffordshire

For a wonderful walk in what is often described as the Number One walk of the Peak - head to Upper Hulme which is in between Leek and Buxton.

Park in one of the lay-bys by Windyhillgates Farm.

You can see information and a map on www.theaa.com/walks/luds-church-and-the-rocks-420970

These photographs are ones I took whilst following that walk, it was easy to follow and very accurate 6.8 miles - and the most stunning scenry!

From where I parked the car, you could see the rocky escarpment above, and an extensive ridge carrying on way into the distance.......................................

And the towering Hen Cloud to the right..............................

There were marvellous views of Tittesworth Reservoir below - where you will find a Visitors Centre, toilets and cafe - which are useful before or after your walk..............................

After reaching to the top of the ridge, walk along it for a while and you will come to Doxey's Pool, also known as the Mermaid Pool. This is supposed to be the home of a malicious mermaid called Jenny Greenteeth who drowned in this pool on a miserable, foggy day - and ever since that time she has been enticing strangers into a watery grave ...............so the legend says!

As well as extensive, panoramic views of the reservoir, there are other interesting things to see........

Some of the rock formations are quite spectacular, some have names and others you can name yourself depending on what you think they look like........................

The end is aptly called Roaches End - you will know when you are there! You come to a road (that often has an ice-cream van parked there); if you want to continue walking, the next section in the figure of eight walk is towards the Wood below and Lud's church............................

When you get to the woods you have to look for the signs that say Lud's Church - it is a narrow, rocky gorge, about 100 metres long and up to 15 metres deep in parts with beautiful ferns and other plants growing out of the walls and over the top. You will find it hidden in the middle of the wood and have to go down some slippery steps to reach its lower ground - which is very muddy in parts. If you didn't know about it, you would never know it was there.

Legend has it that in the 14th century, a Knight dressed in green, crashed into a feast in Camelot and challenged the Knights of the Round Table; Sir Gawain fought and killed the intruder but he somehow came back to life demanding a rematch the following year. This story is known from an ancient poem and in recent years, historians have examined the descriptions mentioned in it and come up with the location of Lud's Church. It certainly has an exceptional presence, you can easily imagine historical rituals and happenings taking place here.

Can you see the face in the rocks? It is supposed to be the Green Knight.

Back out of the woods and the final part of the walk is along the road under the Five Clouds. There are several old cottages and farms along the way................................