High Force and also Low Force Waterfalls are places I have visited many times over the years.
Situated in Middleton-in-Teesdale, not far from both Raby or Barnard Castle, the waterfalls are a great place to visit for a day out, or as part of a drive through the stunning countryside in the area.

High Force is without a doubt one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging into this gorge for thousands of years, but the rocks it reveals are even older, and date back over 300 million years!

You will find High Force located along the B6277, 4 miles from Middleton-in -Teesdale. It is well signposted, just follow the brown tourist signs.
You will come to a car park where you will be charged £2.00 to park your car. You then take the woodland walk, which will take you to the waterfall.
Admissions prices to the waterfall are £1.50 per adult, with children under 16 admitted free. The waterfall is open all year round, with an honesty box in operation during the low season from November, usually until Easter.

The woodland walk down to the waterfall, is one which always brings back memories for me of when I was a child.
I always remember the point whilst walking down the pathway, where you can begin to hear the roar of the water plunging over the rocks, although you can't actually see the waterfall at this point.
Obscured by trees, the noise of the water becomes louder and louder, then you reach the viewing platform at the foot of the waterfall, overlooking the plunge pool, and at last this magnificent sight is in front of you, as you watch in awe as the River Tees suddenly drops 21 metres over the Whin Sill rock into the plunge pool below.
As a child, I remember being quite nervous walking along the pathway, listening to the roar of the water becoming louder, and wondering what I was going to see!

I must point out that the woodland walk is a gravel path which gently slopes downwards and is approx one third of a mile long, so it is not difficult to access the waterfall, as there are no steep climbs or awkward pathways.

It really is a beautiful sight, and there is also another viewing platform at the top of the waterfall which is accessed via steps.
In years gone by, the waterfall would often freeze during the winter, which led to the formation of some pretty amazing icicles. However, probably due to climate change, this very rarely happens nowadays.

There also used to be two separate falls, which was caused by flooding, but since the building of Cow Green Reservior further up the dale this also seldom happens anymore.

A gift shop and toilets are available at High Force, although the shop is closed during the low season.

Whilst visiting High Force, you may also wish to combine your visit with a trip to Low Force further downstream. This can be reached on foot as part of the Pennine Way walk. Many keen hikers and walkers enjoy walking from Cauldron Snout waterfall at Cow Green Reservoir, down to High Force, then on to Low Force.

If you prefer, you can reach Low Force by driving to nearby Bowlees and parking in the visitor centre car park, which is also a picnic area, and where the footpath begins for a stroll to Gibson's Cave and Summerhill Force. However, if you leave the car park, then cross the main road, a pathway takes you through a field down to Low Force. It is a 10-15 minute walk, which brings you to the series of smaller waterfalls known as Low Force.
Admission is free.

The falls are pretty and access is unrestricted, with plenty of places to sit around the rocks. Many people visit here after a visit to High Force, to spend some time by the river.

You will also find the Wynch Suspension Bridge here which dates back to 1830. Crossing the bridge takes you over to the other side of the river to connect with the Pennine Way footpath.
There there are some great areas for children to paddle if you cross the bridge, and my children used to love playing in the water here when they were younger, on a warm summer day.
I remember as a child being too scared to cross the Wynch Suspension Bridge as it moves whilst you walk on it, and I am also not keen on heights. I can recall both my Dad and my brother trying to coax me across the bridge to no avail, even bribing me with money!
A few years later, as a teenager, I plucked up the courage to cross the bridge with my brother, and have managed to cross it many times since. My own children were not fazed by it at all, with one of my daughters quite fascinated by it and its structure.

A small shop and refreshments, as well as toliets and a picnic area are available at Bowlees Visitor Centre, and I would also suggest you take the short walk from here to Gibson's Cave and Summerhill Force. They are well worth a visit.

High Force and Low Force are beautiful places to visit, and hold a lot of happy memories for me from over the years. I would highly recommend a visit to both of these if you have never been. They are both situated in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO European Geopark.

Don't forget your camera!

*Review also appears on Dooyoo