High Force - spectacular waterfall in County Durham
One of the most spectacular waterfalls in England, located at Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham.
High Force Waterfall is a 71-foot cascade found within the beautiful Upper Teesdale countryside in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. High Force is the most powerful waterfall in Britain - having the most amount of water surging through it.
The River Tees has been falling into this gorge for thousands of years but the rocks it reveals are far more ancient – with origins dating back over 330 million years.
Artist J.M.W. Turner painted the waterfall in 1822 and the scenic location continues to draw visitors and artists.
The name apparently comes from the Old Norse term “High Fosse”. Fosse meaning waterfall.
The surrounding area offers wide-open moors, flower-rich hay meadows, woods, starry night skies, wildlife, industrial heritage and turbulent rivers.
Access to the northern bank is via a private footpath on the Raby estate (which also has a handy hotel) for which a fee is charged. The southern bank can be reached free of charge via the Pennine Way public footpath which crosses the Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve.
Further reading
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