Discover the North East's Most Magical Waterfalls
This new year, spend some time chasing waterfalls in the great outdoors
Hareshaw Linn
Tucked in a scenic wooded valley on the edge of Northumberland National Park, Hareshaw Linn and Hareshaw Burn support a range of rare plant life which surrounds the waters, and the area is also home to the likes of red squirrels, red spotted woodpeckers and badgers. The 30-minute walk (across no less than six footbridges) from the closest car park in Bellingham feels like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. This is a good spot for a swim in warmer months, with rocks surrounding the plunge pool to rest on.
Routin Linn
Not to be confused with Roughting Linn to the south, this waterfall in the heart of Northumberland is tucked into a ravine not far from Ford and Etal on Broomridgedean Burn, which snakes its way through the countryside. The water drops approximately 20 feet into a pool below surrounded by mossy rocks and trees – the perfect spot for a quick dip if you’re visiting in warmer weather (or you’re foolhardy enough to try in the winter). There is space to park not far from the waterfall, and to reach the water take the path towards Routin Linn Farm before turning onto a path through the trees.
Hindhope Linn
Another Northumberland treasure, Hindhope Linn is one of Kielder Forest’s best-kept secrets. Surrounded by greenery, this pretty waterfall can be found in a quiet and enchanting dell. Not as well-known as other falls in the area, there’s a good chance you could have this waterfall to yourself when you visit, and reaching it couldn’t be easier – start at Blakehopeburnhaugh (at the northern end of Kielder Forest Drive) and follow the established trail straight to the waterfall. The entire circular walk is only around two-and-a-half miles in length.
Crammel Linn
North west of Haltwhistle, straddling the border of Northumberland and Cumbria, this double waterfall thunders down a wide gorge on the River Irthing, dropping 25 feet into the water below. A rocky outcrop splits the falls and the path down to the water can be difficult in wet weather. The surrounding area is known for peregrine falcons and the grassy top of the gorge is a good place to rest and watch the local wildlife. To reach the waterfall, start at the village of Gilsland and follow the footpath north along the river. The circular walk is around six miles in length, with some steeper sections.
Jesmond Dene Waterfall
A true gem on the Ouseburn just outside of Newcastle city centre, despite appearances this natural-looking waterfall is actually the product of Lord Armstrong’s engineering genius (if you look closely you can still spot holes in the rock from where it has been carefully lifted into place). The best view of the falls is from the quaint arched footbridge slightly downstream, where you will also see the old mill which dates all the way back to the 13th century. Because of its location, this is one of the easier waterfalls to reach in the area, and there are plenty of facilities nearby.
Linhope Spout
An impressive, near-straight 60 foot vertical drop into a plunge pool below framed by high rocky walls and lush vegetation in the summer make this one of the more sought after waterfalls in Northumberland. For a shorter walk to the River Breamish, start from Hartside Farm, which is less than two miles from the falls, but we recommend making the most of the beautiful winter scenery with a longer walk from Ingram Valley car park (a three-hour circular walk in total).
Low Force
High Force’s more gentle sister waterfall, it’s difficult to mention one without the other. Low Force lies only a short distance downstream of High Force and is the easiest to reach from Bowlees. Unlike the larger and higher High Force, Low Force is a series of rocky cascades with short drops, and the ground underfoot around the waterfall is good so there’s plenty of opportunities for pictures. Although High Force is too powerful for swimming to be safe, the pools beneath Low Force make for an excellent wild swimming spot for those brave enough to endure the cold.
Wharnley Burn Waterfall
A gentle flow of water that’s easily missed, this waterfall is just outside Consett on a tributary of the River Derwent. Flowing into a shallow ravine, it’s easy to get up close and personal with this waterfall, whether you use the rocks to the side as a vantage point, spend time admiring the scenery from the sweet arched footbridge that overlooks the falls, or (if you’re prepared to get slightly wet) our favourite view is looking up at the waterfall from downstream, with the bridge framing the view. We recommend starting from Allensford car park and following the river to reach it.
High Force
England’s largest and arguably most impressive waterfall, you can find High Force in the rolling countryside of Upper Teesdale in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The water thunders over Whin Sill (a ridge of volcanic rock which runs across the North of England) and plummets 70 feet into the pool below. It’s easiest to reach High Force from Bowlees, around two miles east of the waterfall. The trail follows the path of the River Tees west, bringing you across the impressive Wynch Bridge (a suspension footbridge crossing the river) and passing the gentler Low Force waterfall along the way.
Cauldron Snout
Another gem on the River Tees, Cauldron Snout is much further upstream than High and Low Force, only a stone’s throw from Cow Green Reservoir. An explosive torrent of water, Cauldron Snout doesn’t have as sheer a drop as some waterfalls, and instead its rapids descend through a narrow gorge for an impressive 180-metre stretch before dropping into the pool below. To reach it, we recommend starting from the nearby Cow Green Reservoir car park where a clearly defined footpath takes you south along the shore of the water towards the dam. The water picks up the pace immediately below the dam and the route to the final drop of the waterfall takes around 40 minutes (trust us, the view of the waterfall from above is well worth the short walk).
Summerhill Force
North of Bowlees in the Upper Teesdale area, Summerhill Force is one of the better-known waterfalls in the North East, due in part to Gibson’s Cave, a recess behind the waterfall created by the overhanging ledge of rock. Although we can’t guarantee you’ll find hidden treasure or a magical portal behind the veil of the waterfall, it is still well worth a visit. The rocks surrounding the pool below can become slippery so be sure to take care, but this is a great place for a dip in warmer months.
Richmond Falls
Just outside Richmond on the River Swale, overlooked by the impressive castle, the falls here flow over a series of wide, rocky steps resulting in a rushing cascade in wet weather, and a gentle trickle in drier months. Getting close to the water is easiest from the south bank, and whether you cross the river via the triple-arched Richmond Bridge, or the four-arched Mercury Bridge, you can enjoy scenic views of the water. Access is easy, with a car park nearby specifically for the falls.
