Inside the highest village in the UK that was once known for its illegal activity
Flash in Staffordshire is the highest village in the UK and was once known for its fighting rings.
A beautiful little village that's also the highest in the UK has a dark past - as it was once known for its illegal activity.
Flash is in the Peak District, very close to the borders of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire. Standing at 1,519 feet above sea level, it is recognised as the highest village in the UK by Ordnance Survey.
The village, which dates back to the start of the 15th century, lies on the southern slope of Axe Edge Moor, a few miles southwest of Buxton. It is surrounded by wild open countryside, with fine views in all directions looking over the Staffordshire moorland, the Derbyshire hills and the Cheshire plain.
It is a peaceful and scenic place to visit, with pretty houses on quiet lanes surrounded by stunning scenery.
The New Inn lays claim to the title of the highest village pub in England, and just outside the village you’ll find Flash Bar Stores, the highest shop in England.
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The village’s isolated location and poverty historically leant itself to lawlessness, it had a reputation for being frequented by rough characters.
Flash was known for illegal activities such as cock-fighting, prize fighting and counterfeiting, and for many years counterfeit money was known as ‘Flash money’.
Its place on the boundaries of three counties helped - when the police from one county closed in, the crime ring simply moved on to the next county.
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Flash is close to the popular beauty spot of Three Shires Head, where three counties meet at a collection of pools, waterfalls and stone bridges. It is also within easy reach of The Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks, popular walking and climbing territory.
Visitors have called the village “bliss” in Tripadvisor reviews, with “lovely views” of the “stunning landscape”. Many said they would “highly recommend” visiting.
Those wishing to visit Flash can get trains to nearby Buxton and get a bus to the village or drive via the A53. The village has a handful of places to stay but there are more in the surrounding area.