Cucklet Church

Cucklet Church is a rocky dell with a small cave on the edge of Eyam, a village in the Derbyshire Dales district of the Peak District, England. It was formerly known as Cucklet Delph (or Cucklet Delf) and lies west of Jumber Brook. Its name comes from one of the best-known episodes in English village history: the plague of 1665–66.

Why is it called a church?

When plague struck Eyam, the rector William Mompesson moved worship out of doors. In the dell, families could stand well apart from one another, which lowered the risk of infection. The village sealed itself off: in June 1666 residents agreed not to cross its boundaries, so the disease would not spread to neighbouring communities. The open-air gatherings gave the rock hollow the name it still carries. The outbreak lasted around fourteen months, and the last known victim died late in 1666.

What will you see?

Cucklet Church is a natural feature: a green, wooded cleft with a rock face and a shallow cavern, sometimes described as a natural amphitheatre. There are no ticket booths or visitor facilities. A signpost marks the way, but the cave entrance itself is unmarked, though hard to miss. It makes a quiet stop on a walk around the village, best combined with other plague-related sites.

How do you get there?

There is no parking beside the path, so leave the car in Eyam, for example on Church Street, and walk. The route starts at Dunlow Lane: from the New Close area turn left into it, then the path leaves the road and crosses fields. Past a signed gate and a wooden post you reach the cave. It is about 370 m each way with little climbing, so it suits families with children.

For a longer outing, an easy loop of around 6.8 km (about 170 m of ascent) links Eyam, Riley Graves and Cucklet Delf. Riley Graves is the burial place of members of one family who died of the plague.

When should you visit?

The dell is open to visitors all year, though dry weather is best, when the field path is not muddy. History fans should aim for the end of August. On the last Sunday of the month, known as Plague Sunday, a yearly commemoration service takes place at Cucklet Delf. Check the exact programme beforehand with St Lawrence's Church in Eyam or Eyam Museum.

What else is there in Eyam?

The village rewards a full visit. Eyam Museum tells the story of the epidemic, and St Lawrence's parish church has information about the Mompesson family. The rector's wife, Catherine, died on 25 August 1666. Several waymarked routes also lead from the village into the surrounding Peak District hills.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Cucklet Church? No. It is an open-air site with no charge and no opening hours.

Can I drive up to the entrance? No. There is no parking by the path. Park in Eyam and walk the short distance.

How long does a visit take? Reaching the dell and looking around is a short stroll. Adding the Riley Graves loop makes it roughly two to three hours.

Is Cucklet Church an actual church building? No. It is a natural rock formation named for the open-air services held there during the 1666 plague.