Stainforth Force

Stainforth Force is a small waterfall on the River Ribble near the village of Stainforth in North Yorkshire. It lies about 50 metres south of Stainforth Bridge and 5 kilometres north of Settle. The water drops two and a half metres over exposed Chapel House Limestone that has been shaped into a gentle cascade. The rock shows signs of a small anticline where layers have been bent by ancient earth movements. A modest channel was carved here to help salmon pass upstream more easily. The waterfall draws visitors in autumn when Atlantic salmon gather to leap up the falls on their way to spawning grounds. Below the last drop is a deep, dark plunge pool that wild swimmers use for a quick dip. The site also serves as a stopping point on the Ribble Way long-distance path. Edward Elgar visited the spot often to see his friend Dr Buck, who lived in Settle. A photograph of Elgar standing on the bridge once hung in his home. Paths lead from the bridge down to the water’s edge where the river rushes over the limestone. Visitors can watch salmon jump or stand on the bridge to feel the spray. The surrounding countryside is quiet farmland and moorland, giving a sense of seclusion despite its popularity. The falls sit in a shallow valley carved by the Ribble over centuries.