Three Shires Head is a spot in the Peak District where the 3 counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire meet. It is a beautiful setting along the River Dane with waterfalls, pools, old packhorse bridges and the backdrop of the Peak District Moors.
A wonderful spot for walking, paddling and photography with a bit of history thrown in too. If I am ever hiking in the Axe Edge Moor area of the Peak District I always try to encompass Three Shires Head within it.
Walk Information
The 3.8 walk that I will detail more in this post heads up from Gradbach Mill Car Park. This way you get a good walk that has variety along with special views. The walk also involves walking up in Staffordshire and back down in Cheshire, but you can step into Derbyshire at Three Shires Head itself.
Walk Route Info
Distance: 3.8 miles (6.1 km)
Why Is It Called Three Shires Head
Three shires comes from the 3 English counties that converge on this beauty spot. An old and little Packhorse Bridge that crosses over the River Dane.
As you look at the iconic bridge from below it you can see how steps in each direction may have you in another county.
Behind you to the north you are in Derbyshire. To the right and west you are in Staffordshire. Across the river and east you are in Cheshire.
In History
In history Three Shires Head gained some notoriety for lawlessness. Gangs, crimnals and coin forgers used to meet or run to here. In the old days then constables where restricted to only having juristiction within their own county borders.
As gangs were meeting at Three Shires Head, if the constables came to arrest them they could jump hop into another county. Sometimes constables from 2 counties appeared, but alas there was always a 3rd county for the lawless folk to run into quickly.
The routes we use as paths in this area were also once old packhorse routes across the moors and hills. This bridge over the River Dane would once have been a point for passing on goods to others heading in different directions as well as the spot where the horses could rest and have a well deserved drink before moving on.
Parking For The Walk
The parking at the start of this walk is Gradbach Car Park, Postcode SK17 0SU.
I would advise that you do this as an early walk as the car park can get very full and fast. The reason being is that this car park is used also for Lud’s Church , Gradbach Mill and walks on The Roaches . So you can imagine the spaces are in demand as the day goes on.
If I am ever walking in this area I do tend to avoid weekends. Not just for the parking but also it avoids the crowds of paddlers at Three Shires Head itself.
The Walk Up
To start the walk head back from the car park along the little stream and cross the little footbridge. Keep the stream on your left through the small field and you will see a gate on the left onto the road.
Turn right along the road for a couple of hundfed metres and you will see a footpath sign on the left that takes you up beside a farmhouse.
Go through the gate and the path goes onwards and upwards. You will pass through numerous fields on the way up and a gate after each one. There will be a wall to your left all the way up.
Look back and you will see that you have gone up in height very fast and you get some wide reaching views of The Roaches and the trees in the valley below.
When the wall to your left ends follow the fingerpost cutting diagonally across to the left and upwards. You will eventually come to a gate leading to a level path running left and right. Turn left. The path is very very sandy. This path leads along until you see a great view of Three Shires Head in front of you.
Enjoying The Falls
It certainly is a gorgeous spot, even more so when you get it to yourself. I often find during the week is best for this. If it is a sunny weekend day then the chances of others enjoying the water and the beauty spot here is extremely high.
Stand on the bridge and head in all directions and stand in 3 counties within a few seconds.
This is one of the stops and highlights on our Staffordshire 3 Peaks Guided Walk and I always make it one of the snack stops along the route. Or give people a chance to get their socks and boots off to paddle and refresh their feet.
With the backdrop it is an opportunity for some photos to create some memories.
Walk Back Down
Ok, we walked up in Staffordshire, time to cross the bridge, turn left and walk back down within Cheshire. You actually start off back down with a slight uphil around the hillside, catching glances back to the falls.
You will come to a fingerpost at a fork in the path. Take the left way down and keep going until you come to a road.
Turn left and follow the road down and down until you pass Bennettsitch Farm. Shortly after the farm a gate on the left leads to a path down to the road you started on. Turn left along this road, across the bridge and you can enter the gate you came through at the beginning, back to the car park.
Conclusion
There are so many reasons to want to walk up to Three Shires Head. For a great walk, the Peak District views, a cold water dip or to simply enjoy the history and significance of the place.
If you are ever in this part of the Peak District then treat yourself to a wander up here. A great and interesting adventure with children too.
