Low Force Waterfalls, Middleton-in-Teesdale

Low Force Waterfalls are situated in Upper Teesdale approx. 3 miles northwest

of Middleton-in-Teesdale, alongside the B6277 road. Follow the B6277 northwest

out of Middleton-in-Teesdale to Bowlees Picnic Area. Bowlees Picnic Area is

worth exploring, as it has itself four small waterfalls and a riverside footpath

leading to Gibson's Cave and Summerhill Force.

There is a visitors centre run by Durham Wildlife Trust over the Bowlees

Beck, follow the Beck upstream you will pass through an old Limestone Quarry,

once used for the production of road stone. The quarry has been left undisturbed

allowing trees and a wide variety of wild flowers to re-colonise. There is a

small admission charge to the picnic Area, but it is worth every penny.

Across the B6277 Low Force an impressive series of waterfalls, is only 15

minutes walk away, and High Force the largest waterfall in England can be

reached in one hour on foot.

From Bowlees Picnic Area, cross the B6277 and follow the footpath towards the

river, you cannot go far wrong here as it is hard not to notice the noise of the

falls.On arrival at the river, cross over to the opposite bank using the Wynch

Suspension Bridge; believed to be the oldest in Europe dating from 1704. The

footpath on this side of the river Tees is the Pennine Way long distance walk;

downstream to your left the footpath goes to Middleton-in-Teesdale. Upstream to

your right the footpath goes via High Force to Cauldron Snout.

Access to Low Force falls is virtually un-restricted allowing you endless

photo opportunities. A standard lens will cover most situations, however a wide

angle will prove useful for that 'water flowing into the lens' look. While a

short telephoto lens is very useful for isolating parts of the falls and rocks.

Due to the close proximity of the car park to the falls, there is no excuse for

not taking your tripod! Slow film combined with small apertures and slow shutter

speeds is the perfect combination for fast moving water.

The area around the falls is only sparsely populated by trees, so light

levels are always fairly reasonable. The falls face southeast so morning is the

best time for photography. Once you feel that you have exhausted all the photo

opportunities here, retrace your footsteps to find your way back to the car

park.

Low Force Waterfalls, Middleton-in-Teesdale Images

Comments