A Day of Waterfalls in wonderful Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales

I wondered if it might be a nice idea to have a day visiting the waterfalls found in Wensleydale, you may already have bet me to it and done them, please excuse if so. There will be too many in total to visit in just one day, lots of little ones dotted on the map, tried to ‘Google’ how many but no information, so perhaps some of the main ones for starters. Probably be best to wear stout footwear for this one as we’ll be driving and walking and you’ll need the Ordnance Survey OL30 Map! We’ll be passing through the totally beautiful valley of Wensleydale which is just too good to rush so steadily as we go………………………..

Because I live in West Burton Cauldron Falls would have to be the first one to see. Such a pretty little waterfall and ever changing with the seasons. Good for swimming too, both at the cauldron and the dub below the pack horse bridge, very cold though! Parking at the waterfall area. From here perhaps follow the A684 to Bainbridge and pause to look over the bridge at the River Bain. Sometimes there seems to be hardly a trickle coming down but well worth a look. Then we’re off to Gayle above Hawes to walk up to Aysgill Force about two and half miles there and back, again a very pretty little waterfall and many, many wild flowers to find beside the footpath. Maybe time for a ‘cuppa’ or even lunch in Hawes! But first lets go the Cotter Force, it’s not far, just past Appersett and you can park by the side of the road in a lay by and signed to waterfall. From here either go back to Hawes for sustenance or go straight to Hardrow to gaze upon the tall and slender Hardrow Force. England’s largest drop waterfall at some 100 feet.

Ever onwards to Askrigg, Humble Pie might be a good place to refuel, park where you can on the cobbles and wander down West End behind the church and along to Mill Gill. Be careful as you go through the wood there are exposed tree roots but a lovely walk and wonderful views when you’re not in the wood. From here to the magnificent Aysgarth Falls, park in the Yorkshire Dales National Park car park and enjoy walking through Freeholders Wood, to the Middle and Lower Force, you might even see a dormouse, and onto the road bridge to see the Upper Force. We always stop for an ice cream at the Mill Race Tea Shop but they do wonderful cakes too! You must be thinking we do nothing but eat when we’re out for the day!

If you’ve time walk down the fields to Redmire Force, park at Berry’s in Swinithwaite and follow the signs, again though check on your map. Or you can leave for another day and make a proper walk of it from Wensley along the river Ure, a beautiful walk. I thought I’d written about that one, would seem not, can feel another blog coming on!

Phew, I don’t’ know about you but I’m in need of something now just thinking about it, perhaps I’ll ask Geoff, the hubby, if he’d like to join me and we’ll just see how the day pans out but please do try it for yourselves! Let me know how you get on!!