The stunning waterfall is somewhat hidden just below a road bridge on the B6277 from Alston to Teesdale. The current road bridge is a replacement for the first one that collapsed in the final stages of construction around 1920. The traditional route went through a loop to cross Ashgill much further up. There are a few parking places in a lay by before you cross the bridge coming from Alston. You have to than walk across the bridge, use a stile into the wooded edge of the gorge and climb down to the waterfall.

There was intensive lead mining next to the waterfall. The  remnants you can see on some of the photos. On the flat area underneath the waterfall, boys would pick the "bouse" (ore) from the "deads" (rock) break it with a "bucker" and place it in a rectangular box, immersed in running water, to float and wash the lighter rock away. At the back of the washing floor are stone storage bays for the ore. Further up is the gated entrance to Ashgill Horse Level from the Wellhope Knot Vein was worked in the 1820s. 

When you follow the stream down towards the South Tyne there are some delightfull smaller waterfalls and cascades.

At least one visit to Ashgill Force during each of our stays in the area is a must. The photographs are a collection from many visits over the years.