Cauldron Falls

Cauldron Falls is a run of small cascades on Walden Beck in the village of West Burton, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. You will also see it called West Burton Falls. It sits inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a short stroll from the village green, and ranks among the easiest waterfalls to reach in the dale.

What is Cauldron Falls?

The beck drops over several rocky steps into a shaded, leafy hollow. The name comes from the plunge pool at the bottom, where the water churns round in a deep, cauldron-like basin. It is not a tall waterfall, but the setting is compact and photogenic, with mossy rock, overhanging trees and clear water. Downstream the beck passes under an old packhorse bridge, where it tumbles over another little step.

Artists have been drawn here for two centuries. J. M. W. Turner sketched the falls in 1816 while travelling through Wensleydale. The remains of the old village mill can still be made out beside the water.

How do you get to the falls?

Park on the street in West Burton, which is free. From there it takes roughly five minutes on foot. The route runs along the village green, lined with tidy stone cottages, then follows a signposted path beside the beck. Many walkers begin at the bridge over Walden Beck. The path is short and simple, so it suits families, though the rock and trail can be slippery after rain.

West Burton is also a starting point for longer circular walks, for instance towards Aysgarth, with the falls as an early stop.

What else is there in West Burton?

West Burton is a quiet village in upper Wensleydale. Its heart is a broad, grassy green ringed by stone houses, a pleasant spot to sit after the walk. The falls combine well with other sights in the dale and with footpaths over the surrounding hills.

When should you visit?

The falls look best after rain and in spring, when the beck carries more water. In a dry spell the flow thins out noticeably. Autumn brings warm colours to the trees, and outside the school holidays the village is usually calmer. Half an hour covers the falls alone; allow about an hour if you also want photos and a wander round the village.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Cauldron Falls? No. The falls are freely accessible and street parking in West Burton costs nothing.

How long is the walk from the car? About five minutes at an easy pace, from the village green along the path beside the beck.

Is this the same as other waterfalls called Cauldron Falls? No. The name is used in several places in Britain. This one is in West Burton, Wensleydale, on Walden Beck.

Did anyone famous depict the falls? Yes. J. M. W. Turner sketched them in 1816 on his trip through Wensleydale.