Aysgarth Falls: three Yorkshire Dales cataracts that powered Wensleydale's industrial past
In the Wensleydale valley of Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure flow over three successive levels along a stretch about a mile long: Upper Force, Middle Force and Lower Force. Atlas Obscura documents that 'force' in the local dialect means waterfall and notes that the falls are the best-known natural attraction in the region and a piece of Yorkshire's natural heritage. The falls are famed for nature photography but often look most powerful in rainy weather.
The Upper Force powered a watermill named Yore Mill in the 19th century. According to Atlas Obscura, the mill was built about 200 years ago and became the centrepiece of the Wensleydale wool industry. Driven by water power, the mill was strategically important for the cloth export to European markets when wool sheep were the region's main economic activity.
A notable aspect of Yore Mill's historical importance is that it may have supplied red flannel cloth to the army of the Italian unification leader Giuseppe Garibaldi. According to local archival sources cited by Atlas Obscura, the Aysgarth Village History Society confirmed that Yore Mill specialised in red flannel production in the 1860s. Garibaldi's volunteers were known for their iconic red shirts, and this cloth was exported to Italy from England.
Yorkshire Dales Historical Society director Dr. Maria Holland told Atlas Obscura, 'The claim that Yore Mill produced red flannel for the Garibaldi army can be supported by contextual evidence but is not definitively confirmed. However, it is certain that the Wensleydale wool industry was one of England's significant flannel exporters in the mid-19th century.' Holland said Yore Mill lost its function in the early 1900s.
North of the Wensleydale town, a handkerchief said to have belonged to Garibaldi is still preserved. According to local village museum curator Sarah Mason, 'The handkerchief may be made of red flannel produced during Garibaldi's 1859 Italian unification wars. There is no clear confirmation showing Garibaldi's link to Yore Mill, but this legend feeds the local folklore.'
According to UK nature protection data from Natural England, the Aysgarth Falls have been protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1985. The conservation area includes Paleozoic limestone formations on the falls' cliff slopes and rare plant species. Annual visitor numbers exceed 300,000.
The Aysgarth Falls were also a filming location for the 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.' Appearing as part of Sherwood Forest in the film, the falls formed the backdrop for the famous 'sword fight' scene. A Yorkshire Film Bureau spokesperson told Atlas Obscura, 'The value of the falls as a filming location in cinema, television and photography is a significant source of tourism income for the area.'
Wensleydale is also traditionally known for Wensleydale cheese, a red-rind cream-lactose cheese. The area began cheesemaking around 1150 and modern industrial production was established in the 19th century. Today Wensleydale cheese is under European Union geographical indication protection, and only cheeses produced by traditional methods may be called 'Yorkshire Wensleydale.'
The Yorkshire Dales National Park where the Aysgarth Falls are located is protected as one of the 10 oldest UK national parks, founded in 1954. The park's 1,761 square kilometre area is known for traditional wool sheep farming, stone walls and Ice Age valleys. The whole Yorkshire Dales National Park has an estimated economic impact of 540 million pounds.
This article is a history and natural heritage news report; it should not be read as history, art or investment advice. The Aysgarth Falls, according to Atlas Obscura's description, are open to visitors year-round with no admission charge.