Your Ultimate Guide to exploring off-the-beaten track waterfalls scattered across the UK.
The UK is best known for its stretch of breath-taking countryside views, and when you think of waterfalls, it isn't something you'd associate with the UK.
With more and more people knowing about these waterfalls thanks to social media, it may be hard to find a car space and have some alone time at the falls. That's why we've created this useful guide filled with some of the best hidden waterfalls which are still unknown to the majority of people!
Here are 10 of the best hidden waterfalls in the whole of the UK, with some of them even have plunge pools at the bottom which you can dive in and have a dip!
Whorneyside Force is a stunning hidden waterfall located on Whorneyside Fell up high on the mountainside. There are some great views down Great Langdale which can be viewed from the waterfall, and you'll more or less have the whole place to yourself!
Sitting in the shadows of Crinkle Crags is one of our favourite waterfalls in the Lake District, Whorneyside Force. It really is amazing, and it's also the perfect spot for a wild swim if you're up for it in a natural waterfall.
For those exploring with a little one, you can take them to Whorneyside Force since it's easy to reach as there isn't much elevation gain. The last time we went the water looked so magical and green, and it's the perfect destination for a quick dip and a cool down after a busy day hiking around the Lakes.
FAQs/Things to know when visiting Whorneyside Force
1) Where is Whorneyside Force located?
Whorneyside Force is located in the Lake District National Park, near Great Langdale.
2) What makes Whorneyside Force a hidden gem?
Whorneyside Force is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location, tranquil surroundings, and the beautiful cascade of water as it tumbles down a series of rocky steps amidst the rugged landscape of the Lake District. The waterfall offers visitors a peaceful and scenic experience away from the more popular tourist spots.
3) How do I get to Whorneyside Force?
Visitors can access Whorneyside Force by following a footpath from Great Langdale The footpath leads alongside the reservoir and up the valley to the waterfall.
Places to stay near Whorneyside Force
This little gem is a must-visit for all wild swimming lovers. It's only a short walk from the car park, in which you'll be able to experience some great plunge pools for a cold water dip on a warm day. Don't worry about getting there early to secure your spot; there's plenty of pools to find and have either for yourself, or share with others.
An amazing walk up around Gladstone Rock will take you to these gorgeous waterfalls and plunge pools in Snowdon. The walks is very scenic, and takes you through woodlands with house ruins until you are presented with breath-taking mountain views. If you have the right footwear, the whole walk should take you around 30-40 minutes.
It's safe to say Watkins Path is a must-visit for those who absolutely love wild swimming. It's only a short walk from the car park where you can experience some great plunge pools for a breezy cold water dip on a warm summers day!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Watkins Path
1) Where is the Watkin Path Waterfall located?
The Watkin Path Waterfall is located in Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
2) What makes the Watkin Path Waterfall a hidden gem?
The Watkin Path Waterfall, also known as the 'Fairy Falls', is considered a hidden gem due to its serene location amidst the rugged terrain of Snowdonia. The waterfall offers visitors a tranquil and picturesque setting away from more popular tourist attractions.
3) How do I get to the Watkin Path Waterfall?
The Watkin Path Waterfall can be accessed by hiking the Watkin Path, which starts near the village of Beddgelert in Snowdonia National Park. The path leads through beautiful woodland and past scenic viewpoints before reaching the waterfall.
Places to stay near Watkin Path Waterfall
After a 30 minute walk you'll be rewarded with the views of Steall Waterfall. The walk is relatively easy and once you get down to the falls the scene is absolutely beautiful. The route heads through the dramatic and gorgeous Nevis Gorge and leads to this awesome waterfall.
Once you overcome the 40-60 minute walk from the car park to Steall Waterfall, the long journey will be forgotten when you presented with these stunning views!
There are two ways in which you can get to the waterfall; one is by crossing the river via a wire bridge which is a favourite! Or the second option would be to simply walk through the clean and clear water which is also pleasant.
Unlike many other waterfalls in Scotland, unfortunately there are no plunge pools waiting for you to swim in at the bottom. Also, make sure not to stay there too late as the midges come out to play (around 4pm!).
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Steall Waterfall
1) Where is Steall Waterfall located?
Steall Waterfall is located in Glen Nevis, near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.
2) What makes Steall Waterfall a hidden gem?
Steall Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location and stunning natural beauty. Tucked away in Glen Nevis, the waterfall offers visitors a breathtaking and tranquil spot away from more crowded tourist attractions.
3) How do I get to Steall Waterfall?
Visitors can access Steall Waterfall by following a scenic hiking trail from the Lower Falls car park in Glen Nevis. The trail leads through lush woodland and across the River Nevis via a wire bridge before reaching the waterfall.
Places to stay near Steall Waterfall
What's better than a secluded beach? A waterfall on a secluded beach! St Audrie's Bay Waterfall is a beautiful hidden gem located on a lovely beach in West Somerset and it's definitely worth checking out if you're doing the English Coast Path.
Visitors at St Audrie's Bay Waterfall can enjoy the water rolling down the hills of the bay whilst collecting some Vitamin D on a summers day. Even though it is still amazing when it's only a trickle of rain, we definitely recommend having a look after a heavy day of rainfall. Careful though, the waterfall isn't accessible during high tide so make sure to check for tide times before visiting!
We've seen people mention how its technically not a waterfall due to it not gushing down loads of water. However, that is nature for you! It obviously depends on when you visit St Audrie's Bay Waterfall, just like any other waterfall in the UK. What's very unique about this one is that it's on a beach!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting St Audrie's Bay Waterfall
1) Where is St Audries Bay Waterfall located?
St Audries Bay Waterfall is located near the village of St Audries on the Somerset coast, England.
2) What makes St Audries Bay Waterfall a hidden gem?
St Audries Bay Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it flows over a rocky cliff onto the beach below. The waterfall offers visitors a tranquil and scenic experience away from the more crowded tourist attractions.
3) How do I get to St Audries Bay Waterfall?
Visitors can access St Audries Bay Waterfall by foot from the nearby St Audries Bay Holiday Club or the St Audries Bay Caravan Park. There is a footpath leading down to the beach, where the waterfall is located.
Places to stay near St Audries Bay Waterfall
Henrhyd Falls is the tallest waterfall in South Wales, dropping 27 meters. But this isn't what it's famous for; rather, it's for serving as The Dark Knight Rises' Batcave entrance in the Batman films.
It's true what they say; Batman's Cave is the perfect place to enjoy nature. The paths at Henrhyd Falls are beautiful to walk along whilst breathing in that fresh Welsh air listening to the gushing sound of the waterfall. In our opinion, it's one of the best waterfalls in the whole of the UK that you can walk behind!
The national trust, who own the waterfall, improved visitor access by adding new steps and a pathway that allows you to walk behind the waterfall after the waterfall made an appearance in the 2012 movie. It's a lot of fun to walk behind the waterfall, especially when there's a strong current, but it's very slippery, so use extreme caution.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Henrhyd Falls
1) Where is Henrhyd Falls located?
Henrhyd Falls is located near the village of Coelbren in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys, Wales.
2) What makes Henrhyd Falls a hidden gem?
Henrhyd Falls is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, natural beauty, and the impressive cascade of water as it plunges over a cliff into a pool below amidst the serene Welsh countryside. The waterfall offers visitors a peaceful and enchanting experience away from the more crowded tourist spots.
3) How do I get to Henrhyd Falls?
Visitors can access Henrhyd Falls by foot from the nearby National Trust car park, located off the A4067 road near Coelbren. From the car park, there is a well-marked footpath leading to the waterfall, which passes through scenic woodlands and streams.
Places to stay near Henrhyd Falls
The pools at Nantcol Waterfall are definitely up there with some of the best. If you're staying at the nearby campsite, there is a lovely spot to paddle especially for the younger ones. However as you walk further up the falls there is a beautiful pool which is much deeper and once you get to the big pool the pool there is perfect for a good old swim!!
The waterfalls at Nantcol are absolutely amazing, and we definitely suggest having a dip if you're brave enough! There are some lovely walks around the site and we highly recommend watching the sunset over Snowdonia from the rocks at the top of the waterfall!
For those staying at the nearby campsite, you'll be pleased to hear the river flows through the campsite with a cute picnic island in the middle where the river splits into two. There is no phone signal here at the campsite so it really is the perfect place to relax and go off grid.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Nantcol Waterfall
1) Where is Nantcol Waterfall located?
Nantcol Waterfall is located in the Nantcol Valley, near the village of Llanbedr in Gwynedd, Wales.
2) What makes Nantcol Waterfall a hidden gem?
Nantcol Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural surroundings, and the breathtaking cascade of water as it plunges over a rocky ledge into a pool below amidst the tranquil Welsh countryside. The waterfall offers visitors a serene and enchanting experience away from the more crowded tourist destinations.
3) How do I get to Nantcol Waterfall?
Visitors can access Nantcol Waterfall by foot from the Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite, located near the village of Llanbedr. From the campsite, there is a footpath leading through the picturesque valley to the waterfall.
Places to stay near Nantcol Waterfall
The Three Shires Head is a brilliant spot with lovely waterfalls and pools to swim in! Although it is freezing 90% of the time, it is definitely worth it. The pools are deep enough to have a swim however we do not recommend diving in.
Described as an awesome hidden gem, Three Shires Head has risen to fame since the pandemic but you'll still find it relatively quiet! It's only 35-40 minutes walk from the main walk, in which you'll be greeted with stunning views as well as wildlife.
The pools at Three Shires Head are deep enough for a little swim however we strongly advise diving in. It's a great day out when the sun is shining however after a day of heavy rain it looks absolutely amazing!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Three Shires Head
1) Where is Three Shires Head located?
Three Shires Head is located at the meeting point of three counties: Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, in the Peak District National Park, England.
2) What makes Three Shires Head a hidden gem?
Three Shires Head is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location, stunning natural beauty, and the unique geological feature of three counties converging at one spot. The area offers visitors picturesque scenery, cascading waterfalls, and peaceful surroundings away from more heavily trafficked tourist destinations.
3) How do I get to Three Shires Head?
Visitors can access Three Shires Head by foot from various nearby villages, including Flash in Staffordshire and Wildboarclough in Cheshire. There are footpaths and trails leading to the site, offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
Places to stay near Three Shires Head
East Gill Force is an amazing little gem of two waterfalls which lead down into the river scale and has one of the cleanest waters in the UK. There is quite a bit of a steep descent in order to get to the waterfall, so do take that into consideration before visiting the falls!
For those wanting to visit East Gill Force, the good thing is that it's really easy to get too. You can simply park up on the side of the road and walk down a short step of falls (which are quite steep) in order to get to the falls. Why not have a sit on one of the benches and have a cute little picnic?
East Gill Force really is an amazing spot to come for a secluded visit to a waterfall, as well as enjoying a bit of wild swimming! It's only a 10 minute walk from the nearby village Keld, which we would definitely recommend visiting since you're in the area.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting East Gill Force
1) Where is East Gill Force located?
East Gill Force is located in Swaledale, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, England.
2) What makes East Gill Force a hidden gem?
East Gill Force is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. The waterfall offers visitors a tranquil and picturesque setting away from more popular tourist attractions.
3) How do I get to East Gill Force?
Visitors can access East Gill Force by following a footpath from the village of Keld, which leads through scenic countryside along the River Swale to the waterfall.
Places to stay near East Gill Force
Clashnessie Falls is a gorgeous waterfall located in the small coastal village of Clashnessie. Once you get up and close to the waterfall it's absolutely huge especially after a few heavy days of rainfall so please take caution as the water can be quite intense.
Clashnessie Falls is a huge and beautiful waterfall which you can walk right up to (we don't recommend doing this on a rainy day whilst water is gushing down!). It's very impressive from up close as well as afar, and you'll only need to walk around 10-15 mins from the nearest car park to get to it.
For those planning to visit Clashnessie Falls, we recommend wearing wellies or good walking boots as it gets quite marshy at points, even on a dry day!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Clashnessie Falls
1) Where are Clashnessie Falls located?
Clashnessie Falls are located near the village of Clashnessie, in Assynt, Sutherland, in the northwest Highlands of Scotland.
2) What makes Clashnessie Falls a hidden gem?
Clashnessie Falls are considered a hidden gem due to their remote location and the stunning natural beauty of their surroundings. Tucked away in the Assynt region, the falls offer visitors a serene and picturesque spot away from more crowded tourist destinations.
3) How do I get to Clashnessie Falls?
Visitors can access Clashnessie Falls by following a short walk from the car park near Clashnessie Bay. The trail leads through scenic countryside and offers views of the rugged coastline before reaching the waterfall.
Places to stay near Clashnessie Falls
Aber Falls is a beautiful waterfall at the end of an amazing valley. For those with walking difficulties, you'll be pleased to know there is step free access all the way to one side of the waterfall. There is access to the other side however this requires irregular descending steps to a bridge and then more climbing on the opposite bank.
However, going via this route gives a good view of the waterfall from a higher viewpoint which is part sloping rocky grass.
As part of the Wales Coastal Path, there is a longer, three-hour circular trail. This path will lead you to a breath-taking vantage point from which you can see the isle of Anglesey across the strait.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Aber Falls
1) Where is Aber Falls located?
Aber Falls, also known as Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh, is located in the village of Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, Wales.
2) What makes Aber Falls a hidden gem?
Aber Falls is considered a hidden gem due to its stunning natural beauty, remote location, and the impressive cascade of water as it plunges over a cliff into a pool below amidst the rugged Welsh countryside. The waterfall offers visitors a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience away from the more crowded tourist attractions.
3) How do I get to Aber Falls?
Visitors can access Aber Falls by following well-marked footpaths from the village of Abergwyngregyn. There are two main routes to the waterfall, one from the north side of the village and another from the south side. Both routes offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape and lead to Aber Falls.
Places to stay near Aber Falls
There you have it! These are 10 of the best hidden waterfalls located across the UK, perfect for your next adventure! Whether you plan to do a road trip around UK or are visiting for the summer, you should definitely check out some of these hidden waterfalls.
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