Tuesday April 18th

Gradbach and Roach End 

A sunny day, and we decided to go to Gradbach and do a part of a longer walk taking in Danebridge and Roach End. We hoped to see the bluebells promised in the new book of walks. We had a quick coffee at Gradbach Mill (after taking heed of the frost warning) and followed the path towards Danebridge.

Warning of frost on the way to Gradbach Mill!

Sights of interest included a redundant stile, and the best ever What3Words for a defibrillator.

Redundant Stile

Defibrillator Location

The lambing season had started in earnest and the first that we met were at the top of the steep ascent from Danebridge towards Hanging Stone Farm.

First lambs of the season

We passed a couple of granny sheep looking after a full nursery of lambs before reaching the farm.

Grannies and their charges

We passed the Hanging Stone and turned up to the ridge at the far north end of The Roaches, where we stopped for lunch. On the pleasant ridge path to Roach End we had a clear view of Shutlingsloe, "The Matterhorn of Staffordshire".

Shutlingsloe in the distance

At Roach End, we dropped down to Gradbach Wood and worked our way through the woodland, eventually reaching Ludd's Church.

Top end of Ludd's Church

Nearing the damp and dank end of Ludd's Church

We finally descended to the footbridge over the stream near the start of our walk, and retraced our steps to the car. We were a little early for the full blooms of the bluebells!

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