Three Shire Head
Encyclopedia
Three Shire Head is the point on Axe Edge Moor
where Cheshire
, Derbyshire
and Staffordshire
meet, at UK grid reference
, or 53.213°N 1.987°W.
It is on the River Dane
, which marks the Cheshire border in this area. On the east of the river, the border between Staffordshire and Derbyshire runs north-east for about a mile to Cheeks Hill, on the higher regions of Axe Edge Moor. From Cheeks Hill the border runs south then east to the head of the River Dove.
The main landmark is an ancient packhorse bridge
.
The packhorse bridge and the waterfalls as the River Dane flows southwards are very picturesque, and frequently feature on calendars.
A report shows that this moorland area is of interest for its population of moths and butterflies.
The presence of the packhorse bridge shows the importance of this route for traders from nearby Flash
and Hollinsclough
to Macclesfield
. Silk was produced at Hollinsclough, and sent to the mills at Macclesfield. Coal was mined from about 1600 on Axe Edge.
Axe Edge Moor
Axe Edge Moor is the major moorland west of Buxton in the Peak District. It is mainly gritstone . Its highest point is at . This is slightly lower than Shining Tor .The moor is the source of the River Dove, River Manifold, River Dane, River Wye and River Goyt...
where Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
and Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
meet, at UK grid reference
Grid reference
Grid references define locations on maps using Cartesian coordinates. Grid lines on maps define the coordinate system, and are numbered to provide a unique reference to features....
, or 53.213°N 1.987°W.
It is on the River Dane
River Dane
The River Dane is a river mainly in Cheshire in the north west of England.The river rises in Derbyshire, close to the source of the River Goyt just to the south west of Buxton, on Axe Edge Moor...
, which marks the Cheshire border in this area. On the east of the river, the border between Staffordshire and Derbyshire runs north-east for about a mile to Cheeks Hill, on the higher regions of Axe Edge Moor. From Cheeks Hill the border runs south then east to the head of the River Dove.
The main landmark is an ancient packhorse bridge
Packhorse bridge
A packhorse bridge is a bridge intended to carry packhorses across a river or stream. Typically a packhorse bridge consists of one or more narrow masonry arches, and has low parapets so as not to interfere with the horse's panniers.Packhorse bridges were often built on the trade routes that...
.
Significance
In modern times, the main significance of Three Shire Head is as a landmark on various walking routes in this part of the moorlands.The packhorse bridge and the waterfalls as the River Dane flows southwards are very picturesque, and frequently feature on calendars.
A report shows that this moorland area is of interest for its population of moths and butterflies.
The presence of the packhorse bridge shows the importance of this route for traders from nearby Flash
Flash, Staffordshire
Flash is a village within the Staffordshire Moorlands, England, and the Peak District National Park. It is recognised by the Ordnance Survey as the highest altitude village in the United Kingdom. It was an early centre for Wesleyanism....
and Hollinsclough
Hollinsclough
Hollinsclough is a small rural Staffordshire village that lies by the River Dove in the English Midlands. It is within the Peak District National Park.-Location and geography:...
to Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
. Silk was produced at Hollinsclough, and sent to the mills at Macclesfield. Coal was mined from about 1600 on Axe Edge.