High Force

High Force: England's Biggest Waterfall

There are taller waterfalls in England, but none quite like High Force. Here, the entire River Tees gathers itself and hurls over a cliff of ancient black rock, plunging some 21 metres into a churning plunge pool below. Stand near the bottom after heavy rain and you can feel the spray on your face from fifty metres away, while the roar fills the whole gorge.

It sits in the heart of Upper Teesdale, in the wild and beautiful North Pennines, a short drive from Middleton-in-Teesdale. What makes it special isn't its height — it's the sheer, thunderous volume of water, widely reckoned the greatest of any waterfall in the country.

There are two ways to meet it: up close from the north bank, or from the dizzying top on the free southern path. This guide covers everything you need to plan the trip.

About High Force

High Force drops around 21 metres (70 feet) in two stages, with the whole width of the Tees pouring over at once. After heavy rainfall a second cascade appears down the usually dry right-hand channel, and in the hardest winters the falls can freeze into great cathedral-like columns of ice.

You'll often hear it called England's tallest waterfall, but that claim doesn't quite hold — because the water drops in stages rather than a single clean sheet. Hardraw Force in the Yorkshire Dales has a taller unbroken drop, and Cautley Spout falls much further overall. What High Force can fairly claim is to be England's biggest by volume — the most powerful waterfall in the land when the river is in full spate.

The drama comes from the geology. The Tees crosses the Whin Sill here, a band of hard volcanic dolerite — known locally as whinstone — formed underground around 295 million years ago, the same rock that carries Hadrian's Wall. Beneath the hard cap lie softer layers of limestone and sandstone, which the river eats away faster, so the gorge is slowly creeping upstream. The falls sit within the Raby Estate, in the North Pennines National Landscape and a UNESCO Global Geopark, ringed by rare upland wildflowers and birds. Little wonder the painter J. M. W. Turner came to sketch it back in 1816 — and that it has since starred as a filming location for Netflix's The Witcher.

Getting there

By car is the simplest way. From Middleton-in-Teesdale, follow the B6277 west for about five miles, then look for the brown tourist signs. There are two main places to park: the High Force Hotel car park for the north-bank path, and Bowlees Visitor Centre a little further on for the free southern approach. The postcode DL12 0XH will guide your sat-nav to the falls, and Barnard Castle is roughly twenty minutes away.

One word of caution: from the High Force Hotel car park you must cross the B6277 to reach the path, and there's no official crossing — so look both ways, as the traffic moves quickly.

Public transport is very limited. A Hodgsons bus service, the 73, runs from Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale on certain days only, so check the current timetable carefully before depending on it.

On foot or by bike, you can ride the B6277 or walk in along the Pennine Way from Bowlees, following the River Tees for around two miles past Low Force and the historic Wynch Bridge to reach the falls.

If you're coming from further afield, public transport to the falls is very limited, so many visitors arriving without a car prefer to let a local driver handle the journey.

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Where does the name come from?

The name is refreshingly simple: force comes from the Old Norse word fors, meaning waterfall, a term that spread across the dales of northern England and survives in dozens of place names. It's a small echo of the region's Viking past.

The folklore, though, runs deeper and darker. The River Tees is said to be the home of Peg Powler — a green-haired hag, or water spirit, who lurks beneath the surface and reaches up to grab the ankles of anyone who strays too close to the edge, dragging them under. Children especially were warned to keep well back from the water, and a froth of foam on the river is still sometimes called "Peg Powler's suds." Standing at the lip of a fall this powerful, it's not hard to see how such a tale took hold.

The walk and the trails

High Force offers two completely different experiences, and if you can, it's worth seeing both.

From the north bank, the path leaves the High Force Hotel car park (access fee payable) and winds gently down through woodland for around eight to ten minutes to the base of the falls. This is the classic view — full-on, deafening, with viewing platforms right beside the plunge pool. There are some steep steps on the loop back up through the trees.

From the south bank, reached free via the Pennine Way from Bowlees, you can climb to the very top of the falls for a vertigo-inducing look straight over the edge. It's a walk of a mile or two along the river, crossing by footbridge near the falls; the views are spectacular, but the exposed edges mean it isn't a route for anyone unsteady on their feet.

For a fuller day, a circular walk of around five miles from Bowlees or the High Force car park links Low Force, the Wynch Bridge and High Force itself, following stretches of the Pennine Way through some of the finest scenery in the Pennines.

Parking

There are two main car parks. The High Force Hotel car park sits right by the north-bank path, with a well-kept picnic area; you pay for waterfall access at the kiosk here. Bowlees Visitor Centre, a short distance away, offers donation-based parking and gives free access to the southern bank via the Pennine Way.

A few lay-bys along the B6277 provide limited free parking, but spaces are scarce. Either way, arrive early on fine weekends to be sure of a spot, and check the official Raby Estate website for current charges and opening times.

Facilities

The hub for refreshments and facilities is Bowlees Visitor Centre, run as a gateway to Upper Teesdale. Here you'll find a café serving hot drinks and light bites, toilets, and exhibitions explaining the area's remarkable geology and wildlife, along with seasonal nature events.

At the falls themselves, the High Force car park has a picnic area, which makes a fine spot to bring your own food and enjoy the woodland setting. It's worth knowing the layout before you arrive, so you can plan where to stop for lunch or a loo break.

Things to know before you go

Best time to visit. High Force is at its jaw-dropping best after heavy rain, when the second cascade appears and the spray hangs in the air. Spring and autumn bring wildflowers and thinner crowds, while winter can deliver dramatic ice formations — and, thanks to Upper Teesdale's famously dark skies, superb stargazing. Weekdays and early mornings are quietest.

Dogs. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, but keep them close to the steep drops and the livestock on the open land. The steps on the north-bank loop are large and steep, so smaller dogs may need carrying part of the way.

Accessibility. The north-bank path is mostly firm and reaches an accessible viewpoint, though steps near the end stop wheelchair users getting right down to the plunge pool. Remember the unguarded road crossing from the car park. The southern, top-of-the-falls route is not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties. An all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter can be hired at Bowlees Visitor Centre.

Families and safety. The north-bank walk is easy enough for children, but the plunge pool is deep and genuinely dangerous, and there have been deaths here over the years — so never enter the water, and keep children well back from both the pool and the unfenced top of the falls.

Swimming. Don't. The plunge pool is deep, the currents are treacherous, and the site has a tragic safety record — this is absolutely not a place to swim or paddle.

Where to stay

Where you stay depends on whether you want a market-town base or a village on the doorstep of the dale.

For the widest choice of inns, hotels and guesthouses, Barnard Castle is the nearest town, around twenty minutes away, and a characterful base with plenty to see in its own right.

For something closer and quieter, the small town of Middleton-in-Teesdale sits just five miles from the falls, with a handful of welcoming places to stay right in the heart of Upper Teesdale.

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What to pack

The Pennine weather is famously changeable, so come prepared.

• A pair of waterproof walking boots with good grip for the woodland steps and riverside paths.
• A waterproof jacket and warm layers; the spray and the upland wind can chill you fast.
• A pair of binoculars for the grouse, curlew and other upland birds of Teesdale.
• A travel tripod for long-exposure shots that turn the torrent to silk.

A dry bag, a power bank, and plenty of water and snacks are always worth packing, though there's a café at Bowlees if you'd rather travel light.

Nearby attractions and making a day of it

Upper Teesdale rewards a full day, with gentler falls, a great medieval castle and a world-class museum all within reach.

Attraction	Why Visit	Distance
Low Force & Wynch Bridge	A gentler set of falls beside a historic suspension footbridge once used by lead miners, linked to High Force by the Pennine Way	~1 mile
Bowlees Visitor Centre	The gateway to Upper Teesdale with a café, exhibitions and the nearby Gibson's Cave and Summerhill Force (a waterfall you can walk behind)	~0.5 miles
Raby Castle	One of the finest medieval castles in England — the Raby Estate's magnificent stronghold with deer park and gardens	~12 miles
Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle	An extraordinary French château-style museum housing a renowned art collection, in a market town with its own ruined castle	~6 miles
Cauldron Snout	England's longest cascade — a dramatic staircase of falls higher up the Tees near Cow Green Reservoir, for hardy walkers	A few miles upstream

For a full day, walk the circular route linking Low Force, the Wynch Bridge and High Force, then drive to Barnard Castle for the Bowes Museum, or to Raby Castle for the medieval contrast.

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Photography tips

High Force is a gift for photographers. The base viewpoint on the north bank gives you the full, dramatic head-on shot — best of all after rain, when the flow is at its mightiest and the rare second cascade may appear. From the southern bank, the top of the falls offers a thrilling over-the-edge angle.

Soft early-morning or late-afternoon light flatters the dark rock, and a tripod with a long exposure will blur the water into silk. In winter, the ice formations are spectacular in their own right — and you'll be following in the footsteps of Turner, who painted this very scene more than two centuries ago.

Conclusion

High Force may not be England's tallest waterfall, but stand beside that plunge pool with the whole River Tees roaring over the Whin Sill and you won't care a jot about records. It is raw, powerful and utterly unforgettable — a place where the geology of 300 million years and the legend of Peg Powler meet in a cloud of spray. Time your visit for after the rain, and you'll see Teesdale at its thunderous best.

FAQs

How tall is High Force?

Around 21 metres (70 feet), falling in two stages. It's often called England's biggest waterfall, but that refers to its volume and power rather than its height — Hardraw Force has a taller single drop, and Cautley Spout falls much further overall.

Is there a fee to visit High Force?

The north-bank path, on the Raby Estate via the High Force Hotel car park, charges for access. The southern bank is free via the Pennine Way from Bowlees. Check the official Raby Estate website for current prices and opening times.

What is the best time to visit High Force?

After heavy rain for the most powerful display and the second cascade, in spring or autumn for wildflowers and fewer crowds, or in winter for ice formations and dark-sky stargazing.

Are dogs allowed at High Force?

Yes, dogs on leads are welcome, but keep them close to the steep drops and livestock. The steep steps on the north-bank loop mean smaller dogs may need carrying.

Is High Force wheelchair accessible?

The north-bank path is mostly firm and reaches an accessible viewpoint, but steps prevent wheelchair users getting right down to the plunge pool, and the road crossing needs care. The top-of-the-falls route isn't suitable for those with mobility difficulties, but a Tramper scooter can be hired at Bowlees.

What are the parking options at High Force?

The High Force Hotel car park serves the north-bank path, while Bowlees Visitor Centre offers donation-based parking and free southern-bank access. There are also a few limited lay-bys on the B6277. Arrive early at busy times.

Can I swim at High Force?

No. The plunge pool is deep and dangerous, the currents are strong, and there have been fatalities here, so you should never enter the water.

What should I wear when visiting High Force?

Sturdy footwear with good grip and waterproof, warm layers. The woodland steps can be slippery and the Pennine weather changes quickly.

Are there guided tours of High Force?

The Raby Estate runs seasonal events such as stargazing evenings and guided walks — check the official website for what's on. Wider County Durham tours are also widely available.

What's nearby?

Low Force and the Wynch Bridge, Gibson's Cave and Summerhill Force, Bowlees Visitor Centre, Raby Castle, the town of Barnard Castle with its castle and the Bowes Museum, and Cauldron Snout higher up the Tees.