Northumberland is one of the most northerly counties in England. It pioneers a beautiful national park and a coastal stretch that is a delight to walk along, especially coinciding with sunrise or sunset. But fewer people know of the waterfalls in Northumberland – some of the best waterfalls in the country.
Anyone venturing across the Scotland-England border is fortunate to have this national park to welcome them mid-journey. And when it comes to waterfalls in Northumberland, these spots are much quieter than other more popular ‘waterfall destinations’ like Snowdonia or the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The following 10 waterfalls are perfect examples of what Northumberland can provide when it comes to escaping the crowds and finding yourself in a Terabithia-style world.
Waterfall 1: Linhope Spout
Breamish Valley is home to one of the most famous waterfalls in Northumberland National Park: Linhope Spout Waterfall. Those who have seen the ITV detective series Vera will surely recognise this waterfall immediately, with its shoot of water ploughing downwards towards the small pool below.
Locals living near this waterfall state that the pool below the waterfall is bottomless. However, it has been recorded that this pool is five metres deep, making this a suitable experience for those who are into wild swimming.
This waterfall is accessible via a very short hiking route that can be taken just outside the village of Ingram, just over four miles away. Your hike to this waterfall can start from Linhope Estate and last for eighteen minutes each way.
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Waterfall 2: Crammel Linn
Crammel Linn is by far the largest waterfall in Northumberland and is found on the edge of the Northumberland National Park. It is classed as a ‘double waterfall’, which consists of a waterfall with water crashing down on both sides of a massive rock. This boosts the sound of crashing water, amplifying the dramatic effect of Crammel Linn.
Getting to this waterfall involves walking along the surrounding moors from the nearest village of Gilsland. As you walk towards this waterfall, you also pass the site of a Cold War aeroplane that crash-landed near Crammel Linn in the 1950s – a nice historical touch.
The walk from Gilsland village will take about an hour to complete. It will involve a slightly steep descent to an area close to Crammel Linn, where you can sit and admire its beauty.
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Waterfall 3: Hareshaw Linn
To the north of Bellingham Village lies this third, fascinating waterfall in Northumberland. The reason for this extra intrigue is the rare species of plants found as you walk along the route to Hareshaw Linn. These species make it a very exciting area for those passionate about plants and wildlife. Over 300 moss species, liverworts, and lichens thrive there, particularly in damp conditions.
As well as this, there’s a lot of wildlife to spot on the trail from Bellingham Village to Hareshaw Linn. You could even spot red squirrels if luck is on your side. Keep your eyes out as you cross several bridges over the Hareshaw Bum Stream.
Getting to this waterfall from Bellingham Village is easy and won’t take much climbing or descending. However, there are some optional steps at the end of the walk that you can use to get closer to Hareshaw Linn.
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Waterfall 4: Roughting Linn
Northumberland is not short of hidden gems, that’s for sure. Roughting Linn (or Routin Lynn as its Scottish name) can be safely hailed as one of these gems, thanks to its sheltered position away from prying eyes. Not only this, but it has a magical vibe, surrounded by rock carvings and fairytale-style moss.
Water trickles down from the top to the pool of water below. This is an advantage for those sensitive to sound, meaning they won’t need headphones to block out roaring sounds. Roughting Linn is perfect for those with sensory issues or families with young children. After discovering this peaceful hidden gem, many rocks here can be sat on to enjoy a rewarding lunch as you view the water trickling down.
You can get to this waterfall by hiking from Chatton, the nearest village to Roughting Linn. You can then embark on an approximately 35-minute journey to this waterfall while taking care as you stroll along a main road.
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Waterfall 5: Hindhope Linn
If you visit Kielder Forest, you will surely come across Hindhope Linn. This waterfall lies on the edge of this forest and thus acts as its gatekeeper. It is located around thirteen minutes away from the Scotland-England border and, therefore, an excellent place to stop for those making the long drive to cross the border.
Hindhope Linn has been known to be a family-friendly waterfall, and it is easy to see why. The walk to this waterfall from the Blakehopeburnhaugh Car Park is short and takes around fifteen minutes. This will give kids the rewards of hiking and boost their confidence for later in life – all without putting them off in the meantime.
For those after a slightly more challenging walk, you can start your adventure from the area of Cottonshopeburnfoot and give yourself 28 minutes to complete the trek to Hindhope Linn.
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Waterfall 6: Harthope Linn
Deep into the Cheviot Hills lies the Harthope Linn Waterfall. Unfortunately, it is a waterfall which is more difficult to access, given that it is situated right in what some would say the middle of nowhere. However, the area here will be popular amongst birdwatchers and campers alike.
The waterfall consists of a narrow chute of water that plummets down to its below pool. If you are desperate to reach this waterfall, you may be in for a bit of a challenging time because the walk from the nearest village, Langleeford, includes private roads and easy-to-miss holes, so a careful step here is required.
Aside from this, you can walk onwards from this waterfall towards the Scotland-England border if you have some spare time. Come prepared for a more strenuous walk, bringing plenty of refreshments and wearing adequate attire.
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Waterfall 7: Dilston Waterfall – The Devil’s Water
Dilston Waterfall is a quieter addition to our top 10 waterfalls in Northumberland – another more sedate, sensory-friendly Northumberland waterfall for your list. The waterfall lies on Devil’s Water, which runs just off the River Tyne. It is approximately 16km long, and given its name, you may envision this as a mighty, treacherous river in Northumberland. This couldn’t be further from the truth, though; this placid river cuts quite a comical contrast to its name. It flows just a short distance to just outside the tiny village of Broadwell House.
There are several ways of getting to the Dilston Waterfall. However, the best way to get there is by starting in the village of Juniper and spending twenty minutes getting to the waterfall. It lies within private land, so you may need permission to access this waterfall and take pictures. Pay attention to any signs on arrival.
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Waterfall 8: Hen Hole
Fancy getting closer to the Scotland-England border while exploring Northumberland’s waterfalls? Then you may want to pay a visit to Hen Hole Waterfall. Upon first glance, you will notice three spouts of water that crash down onto the rocks below. On a rainy day, you can sometimes spot four spouts.
The small pool of water at the bottom may not be enough to do a spot of wild swimming, but you can dip your feet in. It is easily one of the most beautiful landscapes in Northumberland – so savour the moment.
Getting to this waterfall will be challenging; be prepared to hike for approximately 11 miles. You take a walking route from Hethpool, which first involves a long walk along a narrow (seemingly never-ending) country road. However, you know you are close to the main spectacle once you see a series of mini waterfalls.
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Waterfall 9: Corby Letch
Flowing under a bridge close to Edlingham Castle near Alnwick, Corby Letch is a very cleverly hidden waterfall in plain sight. Walk slightly away from the castle and look hard enough – you will surely be rewarded. Corby Letch is one of the most fun waterfalls in Northumberland to find, especially with its castle backdrop.
It is a charming little double waterfall that will help transport you to a fantasy land. Although it is one of the smaller waterfalls, something about its sound still helps relax your mind and take a break from your exploration of Edlingham Castle.
You shouldn’t have to walk too far to get to this waterfall if you also explore the castle on the same day. Instead, you will need to take a detour which should take just a few minutes from the castle itself.
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Waterfall 10: Rimside Moor
Rounding off this list is Rimside Moor Waterfall, which again is classed as one of the smaller waterfalls in Northumberland. It is, however, also one of the most powerful waterfalls, with a deliciously dramatic, almighty crashing sound.
This waterfall is located very close to the peak of Rimside Moor, and you can go on from this waterfall if you wish to climb the mountain and get a good view of the surrounding area. A few kilometres from Rimside Moor Waterfall is a lay-by, which you can use to park your car and walk to this waterfall.
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Conclusion: Visiting Waterfalls in Northumberland
Despite its coastal area and national park, it is very easy to think that there may not be much to see when you visit or drive through Northumberland. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this little section of England doesn’t hold much excitement, though. And, in fact, you’ll have a 10 times more exciting experience visiting waterfalls in Northumberland because people tend to skip over them.
You could visit Northumberland from Scotland, plan a day trip, or come up from the south of England and combine it with a long road trip to Scotland. Whatever you choose, you know where best to stop and explore the beautiful waterfalls in Northumberland. So plot these on your map and enjoy the waterfalls of this beautiful northern region.
By Louie Amos
Louie Amos is a freelance travel writer currently operating in the UK. Having achieved his BCJ Diploma in Travel Journalism, he regularly posts articles on his website The Travelling Foodie, as well as Everything UK Travel