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Chronicle Live

National

Daniel Hall

County Durham waterfall named one of 10 you must see in the UK

United Kingdom County Durham Durham Adam Green

With the summer firmly in swing and the weather seeming a bit drier, it's the perfect time to get out and about exploring the region.

Taking the current cost of living crisis into account, a walk is the perfect and low-cost way to spend quality time with loved ones, get some exercise and enjoy the many natural attractions the North East has to offer. And one such attraction, which is at the end of a leisurely wander in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been named a must-see in a study which analysed Instagram data to find the UK's favourite waterfalls.

High Force Waterfall came in third place, beaten only by the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye and Aira Force in the Lake District, according to research carried out by Finest Filters. The waterfall cuts a striking path through ancient rocks that are thought to be more than 300 million years old, and have even been the setting for a detective novel by local author LJ Ross.

The largest and one of the most impressive waterfalls in England, the River Tees plunges an impressive 21 metres (70 feet) over a precipice in the Raby Estate. There's more to the site than just the falls though, with countryside trails along the Pennine Way cutting through the area's wide-open moors, meadows and woodlands.

One of those walks will take you just under two miles downstream, where there's another waterfall named Low Force. Should you prefer to drive and park up, you can go to the Bowlees Picnic Area, which has just been named one of the most 'Instagrammable' picnic spots in the UK.

The River Tees tumbling down over Low Force waterfall in Upper Teesdale, County Durham. (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

From there, you can also reach Summerhill Force and Gibson's Cave - though they are in the opposite direction.

Adam Green of Finest Filters, said: "If there’s one thing the last two years have taught us, it's how important spending time out in nature is for our health and wellbeing, and that we shouldn’t take it for granted. As the weather warms up, now is the perfect time to head out and see what the great outdoors has to offer.

"These results really showcase the diverse and natural beauty we have in the UK, and really shows us how lucky we are to live amongst such stunning natural wonders. Now is a great time for the UK public to head out and experience some of the UK’s greatest hidden treasures."

Despite how beautiful High Force and the other nine waterfalls on the list are, they may not be as clean and pure as they seem. A report published by the Environmental Audit Committee found that only 14% of rivers in England meet good ecological status, indicating that many of these waterfalls may be polluted with agriculture, sewage, roads, and single-use plastics.

Adam continued: "If we want to continue to enjoy these natural wonders, and ensure they remain for future generations, the UK government needs to invest in sweeping measures to eliminate the threat of pollution from affecting our rivers and waterways. Additionally, the UK public should also take steps to reduce their impact on natural spaces as much as possible.

"Take Leave No Trace to heart when you visit, and make sure to take everything with you when you leave. It can make all the difference."

What's your favourite beauty spot in County Durham? Let us know!