Falls at Aysgarth in Yorkshire
Aysgarth Falls (above) is on the River Ure in the Yorkshire Dales. It may be best known for being in the Kevin Costner movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. John Ruskin, Wordsworth, and Turner were also there. The falls are on three levels, and a well-marked path along the river lets walkers see the whole thing (yorkshiredales.org.uk).
The Kisdon Force in Yorkshire
Several waterfalls are along the River Swale in the Yorkshire Dales. This means a trip to Kisdon can be combined with trips to East Gill Force, Catrake Force, and Wain Wath Force. The small village of Keld, on the Pennine Way, has a walk along the river that leads to Kisdon Force.
The Aira Force in Cumbria
Aira Force is in the middle of the Lake District, just one kilometre from the beautiful Ullswater. It is mentioned in three of Wordsworth’s songs. A small bridge goes over the falls so people can see to the bottom. The close parking lot makes it easy to get there (nationaltrust.org.uk).
Gaping Gill, North Yorkshire
Gaping Gill is one of Britain’s most significant and most complicated cave systems, and it’s where Britain’s tallest river falls without any breaks. The Bradford Pothole Club sets up a winch for a few days every year so that anyone can go in, even though most people can’t get in unless they are expert cavers. Going along the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail (bpc-cave.org.uk), the cave is a 90-minute walk from the village of Clapham.
High Force, Durham
High Force is 71 feet tall and on the River Tees. It is easy to get to from the Bowlees Visitor Centre, which is close by and near Middleton-in-Teesdale. The falls are on the Pennine Way National Trail, which runs through Northern England for 268 miles. JMW Turner was one of the first people to visit and paint both High Force and a second waterfall further upstream called Cauldron Snout.
