waterfall

England’s tallest single-drop waterfall is a popular attraction for those who love to explore the great outdoors – and it’s just as stunning as it is impressive

Yorkshire is a treasure trove of hidden gems, and this stunning waterfall is no exception, attracting visitors with its unique features that set it apart in the country.

Nestled within the Yorkshire Dales, behind the tranquil village of Hardraw, lies the renowned Hardraw Force. It holds the title of England’s highest single-drop waterfall, presenting a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. The water cascades from an impressive height of 100 feet, equivalent to 30 metres, maintaining a single unbroken drop throughout.

Visitors from far and wide can marvel at this natural wonder by strolling through a picturesque valley, even stepping behind the veil of tumbling water. But it’s not just its towering height that puts this waterfall on the map. Many will recognise its scenic backdrop from a well-known film.

Hardraw Force graces an iconic scene in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the 1991 classic featuring Kevin Costner. In a memorable sequence, Maid Marian, portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, observes Robin Hood bathing beneath this very waterfall.

The scene was shot from the surrounding gorge, which encircles the fall like an amphitheatre and forms part of the grounds of the historic Green Dragon Inn.

The site is under the stewardship of the same owner as the quaint pub, who has worked hard to restore the area to its natural splendour for visitors to appreciate.

The grounds span a whopping 15 acres, complete with a car park for visitors and a well-maintained Heritage Centre that serves as the gateway to the stunning water feature.

Entry is priced at £4 per person, with discounts on offer for families and senior citizens. Dogs are welcome too, provided they’re well-behaved, and the path has been deliberately gravelled to facilitate wheelchair access.

A recent guest at Hardraw Force shared their thoughts on TripAdvisor, saying: “Excellent place to visit, especially after rainfall. An easy walk and a harder one if you are fit. Dogs are welcome too. Go early if you can, and you may see a red squirrel.”

Another visitor shared: “The waterfall itself was spectacular. A lovely flow of water into the pool below, this provided a lovely picturesque setting for everyone to enjoy. Absolutely worth visiting for the beautiful scenery.”

Meanwhile, another guest wrote: “Visited the waterfall today, cold but had blue skies and sunshine, which made the waterfall even more spectacular. It’s privately owned and costs £4 p/p which goes to maintaining the falls and the gorgeous surrounding area.”

They added: “It has a small on-site cafe and toilets, which were very clean. The walks around the waterfall are easy to a little more challenging, we had stayed at the lovely Green Dragon Inn that backs straight onto the entrance for the waterfall.”

A hiker has suggested exploring a picturesque Yorkshire Dales village in Cumbria after completing an 11-mile walk taking in the local scenery, cobbled streets and pub

If you’re a fan of walking adventures even in the cold winter months, a hiker has discovered a gem in the Yorkshire Dales that you might wish to consider checking out for yourself. “Have you heard about this village in the Yorkshire Dales?” Chris queried in a video. “It’s got a perfect circular walk that’s easy to do on the train from Leeds.”

Stepping off the train, Chris revealed it has a “secret waterfall” spot as he was immediately greeted by the stunning views of the Dales’ countryside. However, despite its Dales location, the village he referred to is actually in Cumbria, not Yorkshire itself.

Following a stream in Cowgill, Chris continued his trek. “I picked up the Dales Way… there’s multiple walks that you can do here and I actually did an 11-and-a-half mile walk, which took me five hours,” he shared.

And for those less inclined to clock up as many steps, Chris suggested parking is available in the village of Dent for a splendid view of the waterfalls.

The quaint village of Dent itself is roughly an hour and 45 minutes’ stroll from the railway station “but absolutely worth it”, Chris affirmed as he navigated its charming cobbled streets. “I visited the church and stopped outside for a cup of tea and a very well deserved sandwich,” he added during his journey.

Chris went on to describe Dent as a “beautiful village to explore” with “hardly anyone around” on a Sunday, despite the traditional pub – the Sun Inn – being open.

And regarding the waterfalls, he recommended making your way from the car park towards Flintergill. “It’s a really steep track to get up there,” he cautioned, however “I definitely got quite sweaty.”

Chris then arrived at a gorge where the river cascaded down numerous mini falls amid stunning surroundings. “These are some of my favourites, but there are multiple as you head up the track,” he noted.

Naturally, with the route being circular, Chris arrived at Dent station by day’s end after following the valley floor. “What a fantastic day out,” he concluded.

Writing in response, one TikTok user queried Chris on his route. “The station is Dent on the Settle to Carlisle line (goes from Leeds), cost £21 from Shipley so probably similar from Leeds,” he said.

Another person shared: “Our family fell in love with the Dales in the 90s. Since then my mum has relocated to Skipton. It’s a stunning part of the world. Dent and Cowgill both lovely.”

A third added: “I’ve stayed in The Sun Inn in Dent when I did the Yorkshire Three Peaks, it’s so cute!”

Whilst a fourth TikTok user gushed: “Beautiful. Would love to do this.” Chris replied encouragingly: “Go! It’s free bar transport and if you book in advance you could get super cheap tickets.

“With its narrow, cobbled main street, white-walled cottages and ancient village church, set in a deep, narrow valley, Dent, in Cumbria, is one of the loveliest of Dales villages,” according to the Yorkshire Dales official website.

The statement continues: “Village cafés like Stone Close, with its original cast iron range, offer a tantalising selection of home-baked treats, while the town’s two pubs both extend a warm welcome and serve excellent cask ales. The George and Dragon is the tap house for Dent Brewery and has bagged several CAMRA awards for their cider and perry. The Sun Inn takes pride in its no-nonsense, traditional ambience.”

This village in the Yorkshire Dales is a hidden gem with stunning waterfalls and green landscapes that inspired a famous artist hundreds of years ago

Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, this quaint village provides the perfect getaway for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature’s splendour – and a renowned artist did just that.

West Burton, tucked away in a side valley of Lower Wensleydale, has a deep-rooted connection with the celebrated painter J. M.W. Turner, who is acclaimed for his evocative depictions of expansive landscapes. The village itself, particularly its breathtaking waterfall, served as inspiration for Turner. A sketch of the Cauldron Falls, drawn by the artist during his tour of Yorkshire in 1816, still exists. It’s thought that he spent a significant amount of time by the water, studying its flow and observing how it cascaded over the falls.

His plan was to create a larger, more detailed piece in his signature watercolour style; however, it famously remained unfinished. Despite this, the artwork can be viewed alongside his other masterpieces at the Tate in London. Remarkably, the falls remain unchanged even after 200 years, allowing visitors to appreciate their full colour and beauty firsthand. A brief stroll from the charming West Burton village will lead you there, where you can marvel at the stunning plunge pool, filled with naturally tumbling water.

A recent holidaymaker left their review on TripAdvisor, stating: “Wow, what a hidden gem this is, tucked away in the quaint village of West Burton. Really easy to access the falls, a very short walk from the village itself. Stunning waterfall and peaceful away from the crowds. Simply magical.”

Beyond this attraction, the village centre boasts a verdant green space, surrounded by numerous period buildings and charming cottages that perfectly capture authentic Yorkshire countryside living. The settlement serves as a favoured stopping point for those keen to discover the dales and surrounding regions.

Standing proudly on the green is the impressive West Burton Obelisk, a stone monument built in 1820. While such features are typical of many market settlements, this particular structure is thought to have originally been a preaching cross, now serving as a significant historical marker for the locality.

The village’s heritage stretches back much further, with connections to an Iron Age community, evidenced by the Burton Moor hut circles, which eventually evolved into a mediaeval estate. During the 18th century, it flourished as a bustling settlement centred on lead extraction, stone quarrying, traditional crafts, and naturally, farming.

Traditional crafts remain a local speciality, most notably the distinctive Cat Pottery. This charming establishment has been creating adorable Moorside cats since 1982, with every piece lovingly handmade within the village itself – preserving the region’s rich tradition of skilled craftsmanship.

One visitor hailed the spot as a “hidden gem”, adding: “Perfect for cat lovers. Bought two ceramic cats and had a lovely conversation with the gentleman who was working there at the time. It was hard to pick which we wanted because all of the pot cats are adorable. Will be ordering more online!”.