20 Waterfalls to Visit Across the UK
With some of the most impressive lakes and rivers in the world, it should come as no surprise that the UK is home to some magnificent waterfalls. Regardless of the weather or where you are in the UK, there is a must-see waterfall nearby.
1. Stock Ghyll Force, Ambleside
Kicking off our list of the best UK waterfalls is Stock Ghyll Force in Ambleside. If you park at one of the main car parks in Ambleside, you can enjoy a short walk to the waterfall.
This waterfall is a tributary of River Rothay and eventually drains into Lake Windermere. The picture-perfect waterfall is 70ft high and used to power 12 watermills. Today the waterfall attracts thousands of visitors, with the riverside walk leading up to the waterfall being great for anyone not used to longer walks.
Nearest campsite: 25-minute drive from Windermere Club Site*.
2. Grey Mare's Tail, Moffat
One of the most spectacular landmarks in southern Scotland, Grey Mare’s Tail, plunges 60m from Loch Skeen. There are several ways to see the waterfall, the easiest of which is a 5-minute walk from the car park. Another option is to walk up a steep path to the right of the gorge, which offers excellent mountainous views of the waterfall and Moffat Valley.
Nearest campsite: 15-minute drive away from Moffat Club Site*.
3. Ingleton Waterfalls, Yorkshire
The circular 4.5-mile Ingleton Waterfall Trail passes six falls and offers plenty to see along the way. Set off from Ingleton Car Park, through the limestone gorge of Swilla Glen, to reach the Pecca Falls, some of the first you’ll see on the trail. The highest waterfall on the trail is the 46ft tall Thornton Force, one of the most popular falls in the Yorkshire Dales.
Some of the rocks making up Thornton Force are over 300 million years old, making them of great geological interest. The footpath along the entirety of the trail is well maintained, and there are steps on any steep sections.
Nearest campsite: 30-minute drive from Windermere Club Site*.
4. River Neath, Brecon Beacons
If you’re looking for a diverse range of waterfalls in the UK, then the Brecon Beacons in South Wales is the spot for you.
The Vale of Neath, sometimes known as ‘Waterfall Country’, borders the Brecon Beacon National Park and flows into the Forest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark, which has over 470 million years of history. You can start from the waterfall centre before embarking on the Neath Waterfall Walk to see the extensive range of falls.
Nearest campsite: 1-hour drive from Rhandirmwyn Club Site*.
5. Aira Force Waterfall, Lake District
The Aira Force Waterfall is by far the most popular waterfall to visit in the Lake District. You can park in the dedicated car park, which is free to National Trust members. If you’re not a member of the National Trust, you’ll need to pay a small charge.
The circular footpath from the car park includes two bridges for you to view the falls. One bridge is above the waterfall, offering views from the top, and the other bridge is below the waterfall, providing a picture-perfect shot of the water cascading down the rock.
Nearest campsite: 23-minute drive to Derwentwater Club Site*.
6. Hardraw Force, Yorkshire
One of our favourite waterfalls in the UK is in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. This 100ft high, single-drop waterfall is a sight to behold. Hardraw Force is situated on private land, with a small entrance fee payable to the visitor centre. It’s just a short woodland walk to the waterfall, and the paths are well maintained.
Nearest campsite: 50-minute drive away from Kendal Club Site*.
7. The Falls of Clyde, Scotland
Three of the waterfalls on the River Clyde are within land managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, so there’s plenty of wildlife and fauna to see on your visit. Look out for otters playing in the river bed, kingfishers looking for a snack and bats swooping overhead. The Falls of Clyde is definitely one of the greatest waterfalls in the UK, which you must see.
Nearest campsite: 50-minute drive away from Moffat Club Site*.
8. Middle Black Clough Beck, Peak District
Situated at the end of the Longdendale Valley, Middle Black Clough Beck is impressive but it takes roughly 20-minutes to walk from the car park to get there. From the car park, the walk will take you over a bridge, following the stream on your left. You’ll need to cross the stream to get to the waterfall, so make sure you have a good pair of walking boots on and only attempt this in good weather.
Nearest campsite: 7-minute drive from Crowden Club Site*.
9. Warleigh Weir, Somerset
Don’t forget to take your camera with you if you’re a budding photographer because the waterfall at Warleigh Weir is picture-perfect. Warleigh Weir is also a popular wild swimming spot, especially in the summer months.
Nearest campsite: 29-minute drive from Devizes Club Site*.
10. Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Cain, Snowdonia
On the River Afon Mawddach, this relatively small waterfall plunges into the old goldmine ruins. Near Rhaeadr Mawddach, from the iron bridge, you can see Pistyll Cain, which tumbles 65ft down the rocky cliff.
Nearest campsite: 50-minute drive from Llanystumdwy Club Site*.
11. Becky Falls, Dartmoor
There’s plenty to do on a day out to Becky Falls, including walking, a visit to the zoo and hands-on animal encounters. At the heart of the park is yet another stunning UK waterfall, with the highest fall at 70ft tall. The boulder-strewn valley makes for a scenic walk on your way to visit the main falls, with plenty of smaller waterfalls along the way.
Nearest campsite: 35-minute drive from California Cross Club Site*.
12. St Nectan’s Glen, Cornwall
St Nectan’s Glen is an area of outstanding natural beauty and for a good reason. The walk to the waterfalls through ancient woodland is wonderfully tranquil, with plenty to see along the way. There are three waterfalls at St Nectan’s Glen, the most impressive of which is St Nectan’s Kieve, a spectacular 60ft waterfall, bursting through a hole in the rocks.
Nearest campsite: 16-minute drive from Bude Club Site*.
13. High Force, County Durham
At High Force Waterfall, you can watch as the River Tees in the North Pennines plunges 70ft into the gorge below. The short walk to reach the waterfall is relatively easy on a sloping gravel path.
Nearest campsite: 25-minute drive from Barnard Castle Club Site*.
14. Stanley Ghyll Waterfall, Eskdale
The stunning 60ft drop of Stanley Ghyll can be viewed from the upper falls and heard from a great distance. Paths are well maintained, but we always recommend sturdy shoes. The water drops into a deep pool, surrounded by greenery, which makes for a lovely photograph.
Nearest campsite: 25-minute drive from Ravenglass Club Site*.
15. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
The Cuillin Mountains feed the crystal-clear Fairy Pools through a series of waterfalls. The 2.4km walk from the car park to the pools makes this a popular place among walkers. It’s around a 20-minute walk from the car park to the largest waterfall, which happens to have the deepest pool.
Nearest campsite: 50-minute drive from Skye Club Site*.
16. Lydford Gorge, Devon
A visit to Lydford Gorge isn’t complete without walking down 200 steps to see the White Lady Waterfall. The steep steps take you down into the bottom of the gorge, where you’ll be able to see the River Lyd fall 100ft into the pool. The name of the waterfall comes from the legend of the ghostly White Lady that’s said to be spotted here.
Nearest campsite: 15-minute drive from Tavistock Club Site*.
17. Falling Foss, Yorkshire
Embark on a magical walk through Little Beck Woods on a two-mile circular route to see the 30ft Falling Foss. Just 5 miles away from Whitby, this is a popular spot with walkers, situated on the Little Beck which you’ll walk along on the way back from seeing the pretty waterfall.
Nearest campsite: 20-minute drive from Scarborough Club Site*.
18. Pistyll Rhaeadr, Powys
In the Berwyn Mountains, just west of Oswestry, you can park at the foot of Pistyll Rhaeadr. There are many walking opportunities to view the waterfall and surroundings, with different difficulty levels. The 240ft waterfall falls in three stages from the River Rhaeadr. There’s a small coffee shop here, perfect for lunch with a great view.
Nearest campsite: 45-minute drive from Bala Club Site*.
19. Steall Falls, Glen Nevis
Situated in Glen Nevis, near Fort William, expect stunning mountain views as you walk through the Nevis Gorge to see Steall Falls. This is Scotland’s second-highest waterfall, with a drop of 390ft. There are several stream crossings and steep rocky sections, so make sure you prepare with proper boots and weather-appropriate clothing.
Nearest campsite: 45-minute drive from Glencoe Club Site*.
20. Hareshaw Linn, Northumberland
Hareshaw Linn is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for its rare ferns and lichen. More than 300 different types of mosses, liverworts and lichen can be found. The ‘Linn’ is also home to red squirrels, great spotted woodpeckers, redstarts, dippers, badgers and Daubenton’s bats. You’ll have to walk through the ancient woodland over six bridges to see the wonderfully cascading waterfall.
Nearest campsite: 30-minute drive from Bellingham Club Site*.
* Drive times are approximate and may change due to traffic conditions.
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