Cotter Force

Cotter Force is a waterfall in High Abbotside that plunges over rock ledges in several tiers, with the flow widening as it descends. The water passes through multiple distinct sections before reaching the base pool.

The waterfall was sketched by the renowned painter J.M.W. Turner during a visit in 1816, establishing its place in British art history. Later artists continued to find inspiration in the site's dramatic form.

The falls are woven into the local landscape where farmers and residents have long lived alongside the river. The waterfall remains a natural landmark that shapes how people experience this rural valley.

A well-developed path leads from the A684 road to the waterfall and has been designed to suit various visitors. The starting point is near Holme Heads Bridge.

Decades after Turner's visit, the artist Richard Samuel Chattock created two detailed etchings that captured the waterfall's form. These works are now held in a museum collection in California.

Location: High Abbotside

GPS coordinates: 54.31778,-2.23333

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21