Bowes Castle and Mill Force Waterfall

Start: Bowes main street.

(S/E) From the main street turn onto Back Lane and walk toward the castle. After visiting the castle, leave the ground and take the path that goes directly to the right into the field at the side of the castle.

(1) Keep straight on this path - with the castle on your right side until you reach a wall with a little gate.

(2) Cross the wall and keep walking straight in the fields. You will pass a campsite on your right and then reach another gate with a path going steeply down. Continue straight down on the path.

(3) Before crossing the little stream, turn left to walk southeast towards the river - be careful, do not go up to the road. Once at the River Greta, turn left to walk through the forest. Keep straight until reaching the two little waterfalls of Mill Force.

(4) Then keep straight on the path until reaching a gate. Pass the gate and keep straight on the path going down toward the river until seeing another large path on your left.

(5) Take that left path that goes up toward the fields and a dry stone wall. Walk in the middle of the two dry stone walls until the road. At the road turn left to join Bowes Castle and then the main street (S/E)

Car park: along Bowes main street, Bowes, Barnard Castle DL12 9LG

Amenities: None

Children friendly: Not pushchair friendly, the path is easy for toddlers.

Dog friendly: Yes, several small gates that can be crossed by an agile dog. Be careful, there may be sheep in the fields. Dogs must be on lead when crossing fields with livestock.

Find more adventures in this area of the North Pennines on this website.

The ruins of Bowes Castle are worth a visit. Free of charge - more information on the English Heritage website