Stainforth Force

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 Stainforth Foss Ribble Falls
Stainforth Force
Location	Stainforth, North Yorkshire, England
Coordinates	54.100°N 2.279°W / 54.100; -2.279
Type	Cascade
Total height	2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in)
Watercourse	River Ribble

Description

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]