The old bridge at Three Shires Head, built around 1790 for the packhorse traders that worked across the Midlands. The bridge stands at the approximate point where the three counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire meet, and this led to the place gaining a shady reputation in the past.
The area around Three Shires Head was a hotbed for coin forging through the 18th and 19th centuries, with the Fearns gang and Meg Lane gang being leading players. It is said that the forgers would carry out their deals on the bridge, with any attempt to raid proceedings stymied by the men simply dashing across to the county on the opposite side!
Not only that, but bare knuckle boxing fights were held on the bridge for the same reason, with scores being settled between feuding families and constables confounded by the three county intersection.
Today the Three Shires Head bridge is a beautiful spot to stop for a while while hiking the many trails that cross here, or even have a dip in the icy Dane river if the weather is warm!
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