The Delf is a natural valley that runs south from the idyllic Peak District village of Eyam. A short way down it is Cucklet Delf (which I’ve also seen spelt ‘Cucklett’ or ‘Delph’), a beautiful limestone craglet that forms a cavern with two large arches.

From 1666, the larger of two archways became the pulpit for the twenty-seven-year-old village rector, William Mompesson. From here, he could preach into the valley and be heard by his congregation, gathered in disparate family groups on the opposite hillside. Throughout the outbreak of the plague, this crag — and, in fact, this whole section of the Delf — became the Cucklet Church.

Jason

October 31, 2025

• A small but striking natural arch carved by erosion in a gritstone outcrop.
• Dimensions:
• Span: ~3–4 meters wide
• Height: ~2 meters at center
• Thickness: ~1 meter
• Formed over thousands of years by frost weathering and water seepage along joints in the rock.
• Overgrown with moss, ferns, and small trees — blends perfectly into the woodland

Jack

July 4, 2021

Also referred to as Cucklet Church - this is the site that was used as an alternative to the Village church during the plague outbreak of 1665.

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Elevation 230 m

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Thursday 11 December

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Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

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Location: Eyam, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, East Midlands, England, United Kingdom

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Cucklet Delf Natural Arch

1. Eyam, Rileys Graves and Cucklet Delf loop — Peak District National Park

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