Cow Green Reservoir & Cauldron Snout

Cow Green Reservoir and Cauldron Snout waterfall are situated in Upper Teesdale approx. 8 miles north west of Middleton-in-Teesdale County Durham, on
the B6277 road. From Middleton-in-Teesdale follow the B6277 past Newbiggin,
Bowlees and the High Force Hotel to Langdon Beck.

At Langdon Beck there is a junction near a small stream, a narrow road runs off the B6277 due west to Cow Green. Follow this road for approx. 2 miles until you reach a
car par and toilet block, now it is time to get out of your car and do some
walking!

A private gated road leads from the south side of the car park 2 miles to the reservoir dam and Cauldron Snout, the road is undulating and rough in places, but it is an easy walk even with a back pack full of camera gear and a tripod.

The whole of this walk is through a National Nature Reserve with an Alpine Climate, so please keep to the road. In the vicinity are many rare plant species, which have probably survived since the last Ice Age, notably the Blue Gentian. Many of the different plant species are situated adjacent to the road,
making photography relatively easy, without running the risk of damaging rare species. Any tripod-mounted camera equipped with either a Macro lens or close up attachment should suffice, but be warned, this is a very exposed area and strong wind can be a problem.

Cow Green Reservoir was built in the 1960's by damming the River Tees. It is situated against the dramatic backdrop of Widdybank Fell, and now feeds the torrent of Cauldron Snout, a 200-foot cascade down dolerite steps, which lies below Cow Green Reservoir. Dramatic photographs can be taken of the reservoir and the fells from almost any point along the shoreline, or from on top of the
dam itself.

You can easily walk down to the base of the dam for dramatic photographs of the structure itself.

Access to the bottom of Cauldron Snout is via a very steep, slippery path on the north side of the falls.

Be careful when scrambling down with your camera equipment, it can get very tricky. But once you are near the bottom it is worth all the effort, in front of you there is a magnificent view of the whole cascade. Tripod holes are situated in a large rock near to the bottom of the falls, slow film and/or N.D. filter are the order of the day to capture the movement of the water. A standard lens will enable the whole of the falls to be included in the picture, a moderate telephoto or zoom will enable close ups or selective framing of parts of the falls. Take time out to explore the section of river at the base of the falls, large boulders, high cliffs etc, compared to the noise working next to the falls down here is pure tranquillity, making it a good spot for a snack.

The falls face south east, so in bright sunny weather early morning is going to be the best time to photograph them, also at this time of day you are very likely to be on your own! However if you cannot get to the location that early do not worry, I have found that even on overcast days good photographs can still be taken.This photo location can easily be explored by anyone who is reasonably fit, but the best thing is that you do not require mountains of equipment in order to get a decent photograph. At a pinch, a camera with a standard lens, cable release, slow film and a tripod are all that is required.

Cow Green Reservoir & Cauldron Snout Images

Comments