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Waterfalls in the Lake District

Aira Force   The most popular waterfall in the Lake District. A footpath from the National Trust parking lot off the A592 leads through lovely woodland in a circular path to Aira Force and High Force, a pair of cascades totalling 65 feet in height. Foot bridges lead across the Aira above and below the falls, allowing some excellent views - mind the spray! Paths lead beyond the falls to Yew Crag Glenridding, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Footpaths from the National Trust parking lot on the A592 near the south eastern end of Ullstwater, just before the junction with the A5091 Details of Aira Force OS NY400209 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

High Force Waterfall   A lovely waterfall just a short distance uphill of Aira Force. Less crowded than Aira Force, but well worth a combined visit. Access to walks to Yew Crag for views over Ullswater. Glenridding, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Halfway between Glenridding and Watermillock, on the western shore of Ullswater. Park at the National Trust parking lot signposted for Aira Force. Website: High Force Waterfall National Trust Details of High Force Waterfall OS NY400208 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lodore Falls Waterfall   A spectacular waterfall made famous by poet Robert Southey. A popular destination for visitors to Derwentwater since Victorian times. Grange, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: At the southern end of Derwentwater, behind the Lodore Hotel Details of Lodore Falls Waterfall - Photos of Lodore Falls Waterfall OS NY265188 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Rydal Falls   A lovely waterfall that has been a popular Lake District destination for centuries. Rydal Falls is located a short stroll from William Wordsworth's home at Rydal Mount. The falls is located in beautiful woodlands, with permissive paths leading to Ambleside. Rydal, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Park on the lane leading to Rydal Mount (signposted off the A591 at Rydal, north of Ambleside) Details of Rydal Falls OS NY365068 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Scale Force Waterfall   The tallest waterfall in the Lake District, located beside Crummock Water on land owned by the National Trust. Access is via an easy walk from Buttermere village. This was one of the required sites to see in Victorian times, and launches ran regularly across Crummock Water to take Victorian sightseers to within a short walk of the falls. Today's visitors get to ride shanks mare from Buttermere, but the falls are well worth the exertion! Buttermere, Buttermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Park in the National Trust car park in Buttermere. Take the path from the Bridge Hotel signposted Scale Bridge and Scale Force. Total distance 2.5 miles, fairly easy going. Website: Scale Force Waterfall National Trust Details of Scale Force Waterfall OS NY 150171 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Skelwith Force   A lovely waterfall close to the Ambleside - Coniston road, yet visited by few. The walk to Skelwith Force is an easy stroll through beautiful Lake District scenery. A walk to the falls can easily be combined with a longer stroll to Elter Water or beyond into the heart of the stunning Great Langdale valley. Skelwith Bridge, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA22 9NJ Attraction Type: Countryside Location: From the A593 between Ambleside and Coniston take the minor road at Skelwith Bridge, signposted to the Langdales and Elterwater. After 1/2 mile park at the Silverbridge parking area. Location map Details of Skelwith Force OS NY341034 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Spout Force Waterfall   Spout Force waterfall is located in a managed forest just west of the Whinlatter Pass. The falls are reached via a lovely path through the forest, and there is a viewing platform from the far side of the falls. In spring the volume of water coming down Spout Force can be quite impressive. Whinlatter Pass, High Lorton, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Take the B5292 Keswick to Cockermouth road at Braithwaite. The road climbs the Whinlatter Pass and the Forestry Commission visitor centre. At the very western end of the pass is a signposted Forestry Commission parking area. Follow the yellow painted sign Details of Spout Force Waterfall OS NY179259 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall   Stanley Ghyll Force is a lovely waterfall of about 60 foot in height, located in a steep sided ravine in the centre of beautiful Eskdale. The walk to the falls is as impressive as the falls itself, with the path following the course of Stanley Ghyll up the hillside, across several wooden footbridges over the tumbling water below. One of our favourite Lake District walks. Eskdale, Eskdale, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Just off the minor road through Eskdale, near the Eskdale Railway terminus at Dalegarth, or park at Boot and take the stepping stones over the River Esk. Details of Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall OS SD 174995 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Stock Ghyll Force   One of the more famous and easily accessed Lake District waterfalls, Stock Ghyll can be reached on foot from Ambleside village - allow 10-15 minutes for the walk. A waymarked path leads through lovely woodland to a viewpoint. You can also descend to the foot of the falls and cross over the beck to get better views. The waterfall drops 70 feet in two steps, forming a lovely 'V' shape as it does so. Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: On Stockghyll Lane, on the northeast outskirts of Ambleside. Signposted from the village centre. Details of Stock Ghyll Force OS NY387049 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Taylor Gill Force Waterfall   Seathwaite near Rosthwaite (not the Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley further west!) is known as the place with the highest annual rainfall in England. If you park along the roadside and follow the path over the infant River Derwent for a mile or so you come to a high viewpoint which offers views down to Taylor Gill Force, one of the highest falls in the Lake District at over 100 feet. The setting is spectacular, and though the viewing platform is at some distance from the falls, a bit of a scramble will take you right to the base of falls themselves. Borrowdale, Seathwaite, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Park in Seathwaite along the road. Be aware that parking can be difficult in the summer holidays. Follow the path between two barns and cross the Derwent. Follow the trail south for about 1 mile to the falls. Details of Taylor Gill Force Waterfall OS NY229109 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

The Howk Waterfall   A limestone gorge and waterfall on the northern edge of the Lake District. Accessed by way of an easy riverside walk from the centre of Caldbeck (about 1/2 mile). Immediately downstream of The Howk are the remains of an old bobbin mill. A footbridge crosses over the top of the gorge at the top of the gorge above the falls. Caldbeck, Caldbeck, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Park in the village car park. Take the path at the far end of the parking area, turn left and cross the road. Follow the path marked on the end of the house opposite for about 1/2 mile. The falls are just beyond the remains of the bobbin mill. Details of The Howk Waterfall OS NY319397 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Tom Gill   A lovely pair of small waterfalls make a walk up Tom Gill a wonderful Lake District excursion. An easy trail leads up the Gill to the famous beauty spot of Tarn Hows, where circular walks lead visitors around the man-made lake. Coniston, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA21 8DN Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Park at the National Trust parking lot just south of Yew Tree Tarn (1 mile north of Coniston) Location map Details of Tom Gill OS SD321999 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cumbria/Lake District Travel Guide Introduction to Cumbria - Photo Tour Featured attractions Ambleside - Brantwood - Carlisle - Carlisle Castle - Cartmel Priory - Castlerigg Stone Circle - Cockermouth - Dove Cottage - Grasmere - Hadrian's Wall - Keswick - Kendal - Lake District National Park - Ravenglass Cumbria Accommodation Hotels - Self Catering Cottages