High Force, Waterfall in County Durham, England
High Force is a waterfall in County Durham that drops in two stages over a vertical cliff, creating a powerful cascade on the River Tees. The water falls with force and generates mist and spray that can be felt from the viewing areas nearby.
This waterfall formed where the River Tees crosses the Whin Sill, a layer of igneous rock created approximately 295 million years ago. The hard rock creates the conditions for the water to drop steeply and form the dramatic cascade.
The painter J.M.W. Turner visited this waterfall in 1816 to sketch the landscape, and agricultural writer Arthur Young recorded his impressions of the site in 1771.
The northern bank access involves a fee through the Raby estate, while the southern bank offers free entry via the Pennine Way footpath. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your footing on wet or icy paths, as the ground can be slippery after rain or frost.
During winter months, the waterfall freezes into cathedral-like ice formations, transforming the cascading water into temporary natural sculptures. These ice structures form only under specific weather conditions and represent a rare and fleeting natural display.
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