There’s something special about a waterfall at the end of a winding road. The drive builds the anticipation, the scenery sets the mood, and the moment you hear that first roar of water through the trees, you know it was worth every mile.
Britain might not be the first place that springs to mind for dramatic cascades but tucked away in our national parks and hidden valleys you’ll find some seriously impressive falls and the routes that lead to them are half the fun.
In this guide, we’re rounding up five of the UK’s best waterfall road trips: High Force in County Durham, the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in the Yorkshire Dales, Aira Force in the Lake District, Pistyll Rhaeadr in Mid Wales, and Janet’s Foss near Malham. For each one we’ll cover the parking, the road conditions and the most scenic ways in. So, you can spend less time second-guessing the route and more time enjoying it.
1. High Force Waterfall, County Durham
Tucked into the North Pennines AONB, High Force is one of England’s most powerful waterfalls – a 21-metre cascade thundering over the ancient Whin Sill rock into the River Tees below. It’s the kind of stop that makes the drive feel rewarded the moment you hear it.
Sat nav: DL12 0XH
Optional scenic route tip: Approach via the B6277 from Barnard Castle – one of the prettiest stretches in the North East, with sweeping moorland views, dry-stone walls and proper open countryside.
Roads to know: Mostly easy A and B roads, but expect tight, twisting sections in the upper Dale and the odd flock of sheep. It’s not a road to rush.
Parking: You can use the High Force Hotel car park right by the falls – £4 for up to 4 hours, £6 for up to 6 hours.
Top tip: Entry to the falls is £4 per adult and £2.50 per child. You can also get a brilliant free view from the Pennine Way path on the opposite riverbank if you’d rather skip the entry fee.
2. Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Yorkshire Dales
On the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a 4.5-mile circular walk that links five spectacular waterfalls along the rivers Twiss and Doe – including the impressive Pecca Falls and the iconic 14-metre Thornton Force. It’s one of the best half-day waterfall walks in the country and packs more variety per mile than almost anywhere else on this list.
Sat nav: LA6 3ET (Broadwood Entrance)
Optional scenic route tip: Approach via the A65 between Skipton and Kendal – a gorgeous run through the southern Dales with limestone scars, rolling fells, and the unmistakable hump of Ingleborough rising in the distance.
Roads to know: The A65 is a well-surfaced A-road, easy driving for the most part. Watch out for slow-moving farm traffic and the narrow turns through Ingleton village itself, where parking on either side of the road can squeeze things tighter than expected.
Parking: Head straight for Broadwood Car Park at the trail entrance – limited free parking is included for ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also EV charging points on site, plus toilets and a refreshment kiosk.
Top tip: Tickets are £11 per adult and £5.50 per child (under 16), card only, no need to pre-book. The trail’s hilly, has lots of steps and isn’t suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs – wear proper walking boots, especially after rain.
3. Aira Force, Lake District
Possibly the most famous waterfall in the Lake District, Aira Force is a dramatic 20-metre cascade tumbling through ancient woodland on the slopes above Ullswater. With well-built stone footbridges above and below the falls, a beautiful circular trail and the chance to spot red squirrels along the way, it’s a brilliant day out for any kind of traveller.
Sat nav: CA11 0JS (main Aira Force car park)
Optional scenic route tip: If you’re approaching from the south, take the A592 over Kirkstone Pass from Windermere – one of the most spectacular drives in the Lake District, with sweeping mountain views in every direction. From the north, leave the M6 at Junction 40 and pick up the A592 along the shore of Ullswater for an equally beautiful run-in.
Roads to know: Kirkstone Pass is steep, twisting, and exposed in poor weather – take it easy, use lower gears on the descent, and be prepared for sharp passing places. The lakeside A592 is narrower than it looks, especially near Glenridding, where stone walls and parked cars don’t leave much wiggle room.
Parking: Pull into the National Trust Aira Force car park at the junction of the A592 and A5091 – £7 for 2 hours, £8.50 for 4 hours, £10 all day (free for National Trust members). It fills up by mid-morning on weekends and bank holidays, so arrive early. There are also satellite car parks at High Cascades and Park Brow if the main ones are full.
Top tip: Entry to the waterfall itself is free – and there’s an excellent National Trust tea-room at the car park serving hot drinks, cakes and ice cream when you’re done.
4. Pistyll Rhaeadr, Mid Wales
Tucked deep in the Berwyn Mountains of Powys, Pistyll Rhaeadr is Britain’s tallest single-drop waterfall – plunging around 73 metres in three dramatic stages down a craggy cliff face. It’s one of the Seven Wonders of Wales, and despite its remote feel, the base of the falls is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the car park.
Sat nav: SY10 0BZ
Optional scenic route tip: The most rewarding approach is via the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant – drive past the Wynstay Arms in the village square, turn into Waterfall Street, and you’ll follow the river up the valley to the falls. The final four miles wind through proper Welsh hill country, with the Berwyns rising on either side.
Roads to know: That last stretch from the village is a narrow, single-track lane with passing places – and it’s the trickiest drive on this list. Take it slow, use passing places early, and don’t park in them. Avoid attempting the road in larger vehicles or campervans during busy periods, and never drive up outside paid parking hours, as the road is gated with no turning space.
Parking: The main Tan-y-Pistyll car park sits right at the foot of the falls, run via an automated number-plate system. Charges are £5 on weekdays and £10 on weekends. There’s also a small free verge parking area on the road just before the gates – limited spaces, first-come, first-served.
Top tip: Entry to the falls is free, and there’s a lovely little café (Tan-y-Pistyll) right by the car park serving cakes, sandwiches, and hot drinks. Bring some change – the public toilets are 50p.
5. Janet’s Foss, Yorkshire Dales
The most enchanting stop on this list, Janet’s Foss is a small but magical waterfall hidden in a moss-covered woodland near Malham. According to local legend, “Janet” was the queen of the fairies, said to live in a little cave behind the falls – and walking through the woods on a quiet morning, with bluebells and wild garlic underfoot, it’s not hard to see why. It’s also a much-loved wild swimming spot in summer.
Sat nav: BD23 4DA (National Park Centre car park, Malham village)
Optional scenic route tip: Approach via the A65 from Skipton, turn off at Gargrave following signs for Malham, and roll into the village past dry-stone walls, sheep-dotted fields and classic Dales scenery – one of the prettiest short drives in Yorkshire.
Roads to know: The lanes between Gargrave and Malham are narrow and winding with frequent passing places. Take it slowly, watch for cyclists and walkers, and use the passing places generously – locals will appreciate it.
Parking: Use the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park in Malham village – £3.80 for up to 2 hours, £6 for over 2 hours, and £7 for up to 24 hours. Toilets, a visitor centre and EV charging points are all on site.
Top tip: From the car park, it’s a flat, scenic 30-minute walk along Malham Beck to the falls. Easily combined with Gordale Scar and Malham Cove for a brilliant full-day circular walk – three of Yorkshire’s most iconic landmarks in one loop.
Stoneacre’s Car of the Week: The All-New Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
When it comes to British road trips, you need a car that can handle just about anything: motorway miles, narrow country lanes, unpredictable weather, and a boot full of gear. That’s why our pick for every trip in this guide is the all-new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.
Practical from boot to bumper. With a 446-litre boot, a wide opening and no loading lip, you can throw in walking boots, waterproofs, a picnic and a tripod without playing Tetris. The 60:40 split-folding rear seats make it easy to free up extra space when you need it.
Built for British weather. Intelligent all-wheel drive automatically adapts to changing conditions, with a dedicated off-road mode for when tarmac turns to gravel. Ground clearance of 19cm means rough access roads and steep car park entrances aren’t a problem.
Genuinely efficient. This is where the RAV4 really earns its keep. The 22.7kWh battery delivers up to 62 miles of pure electric range, with rapid charging from 10-80% in around 30 minutes. For longer trips, the hybrid system takes over for better fuel efficiency.
Reliable for the long haul. Toyota’s reputation for reliability is the stuff of legend, which matters when you’re hours from home on a single-track road in the Dales.
The all-new RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is available now at Stoneacre Toyota. Speak to your local dealership.
Conclusion
Five waterfalls, five very different drives. From the moorland sweep of the North Pennines to the fairy woodland of Malham. Whether you’ve got a free afternoon, a weekend, or a full week to make a proper road trip of it, these stops will reward every mile behind the wheel.
Pack the walking boots, charge up the car, and don’t forget the camera. The roads are calling.
Disclaimer – All information correct on 28/02/2026
