Named after its location at the junction of three counties – Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire – Three Shires Head (also called Three Shire Heads) is a popular swimming hole along the River Dane. Although the river is not very deep, there is a series of cascades and swimming holes, and on a warm day you can expect a small crowd enjoying the chilly water.
The main waterfall is just below a stone bridge over the river, where the river plunges a couple of metres over a rock platform into Panniers Pool.
The packhorse bridge was probably constructed in the late 18th century, and is a Grade II-listed heritage structure; it was once an important crossing point over the River Dane for a trading route between Flash, Hollinsclough and Macclesfield.
Flowing into Panniers Pool along the River Dane is a tributary brook, which also has a small waterfall and can also be crossed via a smaller packhorse bridge.
Getting to Panniers Pool and Three Shires Head
Although it’s not hard to reach Three Shires Head, there is no parking along the many access roads – so a bit more walking is required than what Google Maps might suggest. From the A53 turn onto Dovehead and Three Shires Head Road; after about 0.5 miles there is a parking area on the left. You could continue by car a bit further, but parking is very limited – and the road soon gets very narrow.
From here follow the road on foot, turning right after about 500m (0.3 miles) onto Knotbury Edge Lane.
There is gate at the end of Knotbury Edge Lane; turn left here down an unsealed road.
Continue past the gate to a junction with another trail.
Turn left onto the trail which descends along a small brook to the River Dane and Three Shires Waterfall; you can scramble down to the brook which has a some small, secluded swimming holes.
The purple route below as described above is about 3.7km (2.3 miles) return; you can also park at Clough House which is a slightly longer route.
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