Three Shires Head
WHERE
Buxton
What it’s like
A walk to shallow pools and waterfalls where kids can paddle and you can spread out a picnic.
This is a walk out to a spot where packhorse bridges cross a set of waterfalls, and the pools underneath are shallow enough for kids to paddle about in. There's no visitor centre or ticket booth, just the walk itself and then the reward of somewhere to sit and get your shoes wet.
Clough House car park is the one to head for, and from there you're looking at about two hours and twenty minutes for the round trip. That's not a quick pit stop before lunch, it's a proper chunk of the day, so build it in as the main event rather than squeezing it between other things.
Picnics are clearly the done thing here. The site itself says it's a popular spot for families with a blanket and a bag of sandwiches, especially in the summer holidays and on weekends, so if you're going on a nice Saturday you won't be the only ones with a flask and a rug.
There's not much to organise beyond turning up with decent shoes and something to eat. No booking, no admission fee to work around, just a walk, some pools to splash in, and a picnic spot at the end of it.
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for kids old enough to walk the route and happy to paddle in shallow pools
- Parking
- Multiple car parks in the Goyt Valley
- How long to allow
- Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
- Picnics
- Allowed, popular spot for families to enjoy picnics during summer holidays and weekends
- It's a there-and-back walk with no facilities on site, so sort snacks and water before you set off.
- Clough House car park gets busy on nice weekends given how popular the spot is for picnics.
- Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet if the kids are set on the pools.
Plan your visit
How long does the walk take?
Around two hours and twenty minutes there and back, so it's a proper outing rather than a quick stop.
Where do we park?
There are a few car parks dotted around the Goyt Valley, but Clough House is the one to aim for if you're doing this walk.
Can the kids paddle?
The pools are shallow, and paddling about in them seems to be half the point of coming.
Are picnics allowed?
Bring one. It's a favourite spot for family picnics, especially in summer and at weekends.
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