Ashgill Force, North Pennines, Summer
With the easing of lockdown restrictions in the UK, it’s my experience that tourism in the UK has never been busier. It’s likely a result of a declining aviation industry and the extra hassle involved in holidaying abroad.
This means that Lisabet and I have been actively looking for alternative locations for hikes, photography, and exercise, as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales—the two National Parks we are sandwiched between—are absolutely chock full.
That’s no bad thing, though. A cursory look through Instagram’s #HiddenCumbria hashtag alerted us to a waterfall that we’d never heard of before: Ashgill Force.
This waterfall, just south of Garrigill in the North Pennines, is mightily impressive even when fairly dry. The waterfall crashes 55 ft over a rocky shelf, set in a deep gorge, and framed by Ashgill Bridge that carries the B6277 over it. There’s plenty to see even before you get to the falls too.
All photos shot on a Fujifilm X-T2 with a Fujinon XF 18–55mm f/2.8–4.0 lens using a customised Provia film profile. All these photos are 95% SOOC (straight out of camera).
The day started off pretty wet, but I could see the cloud cover was lifting and breaking.
Just outside Garrigill village the views soon started to open up.
Heading down to the South Tyne Trail, which we’ll follow alongside all the way to Ashgill Force.
This was a rather pleasant discovery! Just below Windshaw Bridge the South Tyne river has cut a fine gorge out.
Fascinating rock formations formed by the South Tyne river.
Further up the river a series of small cascades can be found, each more delightful than the next.
Gorgeous light play around these little cascades as the peeped in and out of the clouds.
A proper lovely scene.
Could do with more water though.
The waterfall is beautifully framed by the gorge it’s set in and the bridge above it.
Ashgill Force, though relatively dry, is still a sight to behold. The waterfall is one of the bigger ones I’ve seen in England, dropping 55 ft (not quite as big as nearby High Force in Country Durham, which drops 70 ft).
Above and beyond the waterfall, Ash Gill is calm and serene.
The B6277, which we followed all the way back to Garrigill. A scene of big sky and expansive landscape.
This part of the North Pennines feels very similar to Swaledale, for me.
Heading down Loaning Head lane, down the valley back to Garrigill.
Back at Garrigill village, now beautifully drenched in sun.
On the way back home, we stopped at the summit of Hartside Pass (1,903 ft) for a bite to eat and to enjoy the massive views back towards the Lakeland Fells.