5 beautiful waterfalls in the North East

As a sensory feast a waterfall has it all - whether it is the awe we feel watching one in full spate, hiking through a picturesque valley to seek one out, hearing the clamorous flow of water before we see it, or the thrill of leaping into an enticing plunge pool. Here are five of my favourite waterfall wild swim spots from my new book, Wild Guide North East England.

HETHPOOL LINN, Northumberland

Rising on the slopes of the mighty Cheviot, the College Burn tumbles through rugged moorland to this delightful hidden waterfall. Screened by trees beside a footpath, a channel of deep pools has formed between the cleft of the rock walls of the burn, leading from the waterfall. On a summer’s evening, the dappled light dances across the cool, clear water making this a wonderful place for a late afternoon dip.

Map co-ordinates: 55.5500, -2.1569

Hethpool Linn

HARESHAW LINN, Northumberland
This beautiful, wooded gorge, cut through by the Hareshaw Burn, was a favourite with the Victorians, who came here for recitals and performances, even building a bandstand by the bridge! A spectacular 9m waterfall is reached by crossing six charming bridges through ancient woodland with several smaller falls on the way up; the second one in a secluded setting has a lovely plunge pool for a wild swim (55.1574, -2.2514).

Map co-ordinates: 55.1627, -2.2499

Hareshaw Linn - lower falls

ASHGILL FORCE, North Pennines
The North Pennines boasts some of the finest falls in England and this is one of the most dramatic - a spectacular 16m curtain waterfall that you can walk behind, by way of a rocky limestone shelf, when not in flood. It is in a beautiful deep gorge with peaty pools for paddling and dipping in as showy dragonflies hover like tiny helicopters above the water. There are several smaller waterfalls further downstream with deeper pools. The falls can be reached from the road bridge above but if time permits, the picturesque ramble alongside the River South Tyne is by far the nicest approach.

Map co-ordinates: 54.7588, -2.3762

Ashgill Force

SLITT WOOD WATERFALLS, North Pennines
Tucked away to the north of the Weardale village of Westgate you will find this enchanting trail through ash and wych elm woodland beside a series of pretty waterfalls and pools. In fact, it’s hard to believe how this little piece of paradise remains so off the radar. The step-like rocks are due to repeated layers of limestone, sandstone and shale wearing away at different rates. At the end of the trail are the remains of Slitt and Middlehope Mines, with pools and if there is enough water, a tunnel you can swim through.

Map co-ordinates: 54.7470, -2.1475

Slitt Wood Falls

MALLYAN SPOUT, North York Moors
The pretty moorland village of Goathland, is blessed when it comes to waterfalls - with no fewer than four sets of beautiful falls. This picturesque waterfall, the highest in the North York Moors, has charmed visitors since Victorian times. Water tumbles over the steep-sided 20m drop of a deep ravine, New Wath Scar, carved from the flowing waters of West Beck. The waterfall is spectacular after rain - but take care as rocks can be slippery. There is a plunge pool and more pools and a swing upstream.

Map co-ordinates: 54.3978, -0.7321

Mallyon Spout

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