Stainforth Force (also known as Stainforth Foss and Ribble Falls), is a 2.5-metre (8 ft 2 in) high cascade waterfall on the River Ribble at Stainforth, 3 miles (5 km) north of Settle in North Yorkshire, England. The waterfall is a popular tourist attraction in autumn when Atlantic salmon are migrating up the river.
Stainforth Force is a small cascade waterfall located near to the village of Stainforth, about 50 yards (46 m) south of Stainforth Bridge,[1] and some 3 miles (5 km) north of Settle, in North Yorkshire.[2] The partially eroded rock that the water travels over here is the Chapel House Limestone, which has been exposed by a small anticline.[3] However, to make the way for migrating salmon easier, the Yorkshire Dales National Park carved the rock "..in an inconspicuous way.."[4]
In autumn the spot is a popular tourist attraction on account of the Atlantic salmon leaping up the falls to reach the spawning grounds upriver.[5][6] The plunge pool below the last fall, described as being "..a dark, [and] sinister-looking pool..", is popular with wild swimmers, and the site is also a popular stopping point on the Ribble Way.[7][8][9] The site was also said to have been a favoured location of Edward Elgar, who visited his friend Dr Buck who was living in Settle at the time.[10][11] A picture of Elgar standing on the bridge is said to have been up on Elgar's wall at his house.[4]
Waterfalls of Yorkshire | ||
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| North Yorkshire |  | |
| West Yorkshire | ||
