The Best Waterfalls in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is home to spectacular natural scenery, including a number of beautiful waterfalls. The area even boasts the highest single-drop waterfall (both above and below ground!) in England. Ignore TLC’s advice and go chase waterfalls: here’s your guide to the best waterfalls in Yorkshire.

Planning Your Trip to Yorkshire

The majority of the best waterfalls in Yorkshire are in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with a few in the North York Moors National Park. You’ll definitely want a car to get around – public transport in these rural areas can be rare or non-existent. The closest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport, although Manchester Airport will have far more flight options. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Some of these spots will involve a hike – I use the OS Maps app for every walk I do in the UK.

Where to Stay in Yorkshire

Where to stay depends entirely on your itinerary. One option is to base yourself in the Yorkshire Dales – somewhere close to many of these waterfalls, like Hawes or Settle.

Hawes: YHA Hawes – comfy dorms and private rooms, plus a communal kitchen, lounge, and on-site bar
Hawes: Simonstone Hall Hotel – a historic property perfect for a luxurious stay
Hardraw: The Green Dragon Inn – a variety of room sizes and types are on offer at this historic hotel in Hardraw
Settle: The Golden Lion at Settle – a cozy and comfortable pub with rooms
Settle: Falcon Manor Settle – spacious rooms with plenty of character at this elegant country house

Another option is to base yourself in a central location like York, and make day trips out. I live in York, and I’ve visited all of these waterfalls as a day trip from York! If you’re planning an overnight stay in York, I’d recommend the following spots:

Budget: Safestay York or the Fort Boutique Hostel
Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
Luxury: The Grand

The Best Waterfalls in Yorkshire

Falling Foss

Looking for a fairytale-like waterfall, hidden in the peaceful woodland? Head to Falling Foss, a 30-foot waterfall in Sneaton Forest. It’s an easy 2-mile circular walk, starting from the car park at May Beck to reach the waterfall. Return following the beck. There is a lovely tea garden (open seasonally), Falling Foss Tea Garden, in the woods at the waterfall.

Thomasson Foss

This waterfall is just a short 15-minute walk from the village of Beck Hole near Goathland in the North York Moors. There’s a plunge pool which has made the spot a popular one for wild swimming in Yorkshire. How much water is in the waterfall will depend on rainfall – sometimes it may be barely more than a trickle, other times it’ll be rushing!

Mallyan Spout

Mallyan Spout is about 70 feet tall, which makes this waterfall the highest in the North York Moors. The quickest way to reach the waterfall is the steep downhill path to the river from the Mallyan Spout Hotel in the charming village of Goathland, which will take 10 to 15 minutes. It’s more challenging climbing back up to the top!

Nelly Ayre Force

Another fabulous waterfall near Goathland – and one I only discovered a few months ago! – is Nelly Ayre Force. It’s about a 45-minute to 1-hour walk from the end of the village at the Mallyan Spout Hotel. While there’s a signpost at New Wath House for Nelly Ayre Force, there are no markers to indicate where to go – you’ll need a map to find the waterfall! From the farm, you’ll come to the end of a fence on the right. Here, turn right, following the fenceline down into the gorge. There’s only a faint path and you’ll need to be confident scrambling down (and using tree roots to climb back up) to reach the waterfall. But a peaceful oasis awaits those that make the effort.

Aysgarth Falls

Aysgarth Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in Yorkshire. There are three sets of falls on this stretch of the River Ure in Wensleydale: Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls. Upper Falls is a popular spot for wading (if river levels are low and safe enough) in the summer, and featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It’s where Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood fought Little John. There are plenty of trails along the falls and in the woods.

Hardraw Force

Hardraw Force is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Yorkshire – above ground, that is. This 100-foot waterfall is on private land, and there is a small charge (currently £4 for adults at the time of writing) to access it. There are well-maintained trails from the entrance turnstile in the village of Hardraw to reach the waterfall. This spot was also a film location in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, where Maid Marian sees Robin Hood bathing.

Cotter Force

Another fantastic waterfall in Wensleydale is Cotter Force. This waterfall is a quick 15-minute walk from the layby parking (near Hawes and Hardraw) on a well-made, level path. Cotter Force is one of my favorite swim spots in Yorkshire!

Catrigg Force

Head away from the village of Stainforth in the Yorkshire Dales, and descend into a wooded gorge to find Catrigg Force. This 20-foot waterfall has multiple drops, and is another popular destination for a wild swim. It’s a peaceful and secluded place, with the steep walls of the limestone gorge giving it an element of mystery.

Stainforth Force

Stainforth Force is a pretty waterfall on the River Ribble, just outside Stainforth. It can get very busy with paddlers and picnickers in the warmer months. But visit in autumn for a chance to see salmon leaping up the waterfall as they travel upriver.

Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales is one of the largest caves in Britain, and one of the longest cave systems in the UK. And as Fell Beck drops down into the cave, it creates a 100-meter (328-foot) waterfall – the highest single-drop waterfall in England. The general public can access the cave twice a year, when the Bradford Pothole Club and Craven Pothole Clubs set up a winch to descend down into the cave. I did this several years ago, and it remains one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in Yorkshire! It’s about a 1-hour walk from Clapham, where there’s a car park.

Scaleber Force

If you’re looking for a pretty waterfall in a wooded gorge, visit Scaleber Force near Settle. This 40-foot waterfall falls over limestone rock, and can be a nice spot for a dip depending on the water levels. There is very limited parking on the road – a layby with room for two cars max. From here, it’s a short but very steep descent down to the waterfall.

Janet’s Foss

Janet’s Foss is named for the fairy Janet, who supposedly lived in the cave behind this waterfall. It’s a popular spot, about 35 to 40 minutes’ walk from the gorgeous village of Malham alongside Malham Beck. Janet’s Foss attracts a number of swimmers, and the trail is busy – so don’t expect to have this place to yourself.

Cauldron Falls

Located in the village of West Burton, Cauldron Falls (also called West Burton Falls) is a stunning waterfall. There’s a deep plunge pool here – I’ve swam here multiple times and loved it! Footpaths and a cute stone bridge allow access to both sides of the waterfall.

Linton Falls

Linton Falls is a wide waterfall on the River Wharfe, just minutes from Grassington. The water drops over a set of limestone ridges, with a footbridge over the top. With such easy access, it draws in lots of visitors, especially during the summer months.

Thornton Force

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a series of waterfalls in the village of Ingleton, which is a private attraction with no public right of way. There is an admission charge for the trail, currently £11 for adults at the time of writing. The 4.5-mile route includes Thornton Force, an epic 45-foot waterfall that captured the eye of artist JMW Turner in 1816.

Wain Wath Force

Wain Wath Force is a wide waterfall on the River Swale, just outside the hamlet of Keld in Swaledale. It’s about a 15-minute walk on the road to reach the waterfall and its plunge pool – this is a fantastic spot for wild swimming in the Yorkshire Dales. Wain Wath Force looks particularly pretty in autumn when the leaves change color.

East Gill Force

East Gill Force is the easiest waterfall to access from Keld – it’s a just a few minutes downhill, on the intersection of the Coast to Coast and Pennine Way long-distance paths. I love this waterfall – it looks pretty all year-round!

Kisdon Force

Another popular waterfall near Keld is Kisdon Force. This waterfall is a series of drops on the River Swale, with ample swimming opportunities. It’s a very steep and slippery descent to reach the waterfall – there is a rope to help you, but be very cautious here. There is now a signpost pointing to where the trail to the falls deviates from the Pennine Way.

Posforth Gill

Posforth Gill is a waterfall in the Valley of Desolation, not far from Bolton Abbey. Bolton Abbey (the dramatic ruins of Bolton Priory) is one of the best abbeys in Yorkshire! You’ll need to head off the main path to reach the waterfall, but it’s well worth it – it feels peaceful and secluded. The waterfall is about 1 mile from Cavendish Pavilion at Bolton Abbey, or 2 miles from the ruins of Bolton Priory.

Force Gill

This waterfall near Whernside in Ribbledale is nearly 50 feet tall. It’s a gorgeous spot on the hike up to Whernside, the tallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales. Starting from Ribblehead Viaduct, it’ll take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to hike to the waterfall, passing Blear Moor Signal Box on the way.

Cautley Spout

Cautley Spout is located in the county of Cumbria, so it’s not actually in Yorkshire. However, it is in the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park – and as it’s the highest waterfall in England, I want to include it! The waterfall is 590 to 650 feet (198 to 200 meters) high, and a stunning sight. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the Cross Keys pub to reach the waterfall.

There are so many fantastic places to explore the great outdoors in Yorkshire. Whether you’re just wanting to admire a waterfall or go on a hike, these are my top recommendations. I hope this post helps planning your trip to see waterfalls in Yorkshire!

Have you visited any of these waterfalls in Yorkshire? Which one is your favorite?

You might also like my posts:

A Guide to Wild Swimming in Yorkshire

The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors

The Best Walks in Yorkshire

The Best Views in Yorkshire

Hawes, Hardraw Force, and More: Waterfalls in Wensleydale

All of my Yorkshire posts!

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