Flash
21 June 2026
Today’s walk is a beautiful circular ramble from Flash, exploring a number of rarely-used paths and panoramic scenery. We shall be calling at Three Shires Head, Wildboarclough, Danebower, Orchard Common and Axe Edge End along the way. The walk is approximately 12 miles long.
We begin our walk at the main road near the windswept village of Flash, claimed to be the highest village in England. In olden times Flash was known as the resort of ‘badgers’ or hawkers who squatted on the open land here and travelled from fair to fair selling their wares. Flash had a reputation as a wild place where counterfeit money was made and outlawed practises were continued. The village’s close proximity to three county boundaries helped – when the police came, they simply moved to another county. Our early visit is brief as we pass through the houses via Back O’th Cross Lane.
We descend to Axe Edge Green Farm and on to the beautiful Three Shires Head via Wicken Walls. We shall pause here for a while to absorb the atmosphere of this idyllic place with its packhorse bridge over the River Dane, waterfalls and pools – and surrounded by a very picturesque landscape.
Beyond Three Shires Head we cross into Cheshire and skirt Cut-thorn Hill before crossing moorland towards Wildboarclough. We turn past Crag Hall and follow a narrow road to Clough House. From here, we follow the beautiful Cumberland Brook for a while before turning southeast towards the A54 main road. We join the Dane Valley Way and pass through a spectacular industrial landscape at Danebower. A colliery chimney and derelict quarries are all that is left now of the formerly busy quarries and coal mine.
We follow the Dane Valley Way to Orchard Farm and onto the remote Orchard Common. You may notice lots of small markers along the way, which identify the sites of former mine shafts. At the far end, we cross back into Derbyshire and turn sharp right to Axe Edge End. Axe Edge stretches northwards, almost to Buxton. Long views of the Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks, amongst other landmarks, may be seen along this stretch of the walk.
At Axe Edge End we follow a narrow lane to Oxenstitch. A short climb over Oliver Hill brings us back to Flash, where the ‘New Inn’ awaits our visit. This claims to be Britain’s highest village pub at 1,518 feet above sea level.
The coach will leave from the main road just below Flash at 6:30pm, more or less where we alighted earlier in the day.
There is no need to book, just go to one of the bust stop locations listed below. if it’s your first walk with us the coach fare is free! You’d be most welcome to join us.
Coach Departure
The coach picks up at the following points.
(With the agreement of the leader other pick-up points
on the bus route may be available).
| “Staff of Life” pub, Hack Lane | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.15am |
| Priestic Road, opp McDonald’s | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.20am |
| Eastfield Side, (Blue Bell) | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.22am |
| Hermitage Lane stop, Sutton Road | Mansfield | 9.25am |
| ASDA bus stop. Stockwell Gate. | Mansfield | 9.30am |
