Wain Wath Force facts for kids
Wain Wath Force is a beautiful waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, England. It's located on the River Swale, a famous river in the area. This waterfall is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) upstream from a small village called Keld. Keld is special because it has three other waterfalls nearby: Kisdon Force, East Gill Force, and Catrake Force.
What's in a Name?
Have you ever wondered why many waterfalls in northern England have "Force" in their name? It's a cool piece of history! The word "force" comes from an old language called Old Norse. In Old Norse, the word "foss" means waterfall. So, when you see "Force," it just means "waterfall."
The name "Wain Wath" also tells a story. "Wath" is an old word from Anglo-Saxon times, and it means a "ford." A ford is a shallow place in a river where you can cross it. "Wain" might mean that this ford was wide enough for a "wain," which is an old word for a cart or wagon. So, Wain Wath Force means "the waterfall near the ford where carts could cross."
Visiting Wain Wath Force
Wain Wath Force isn't a huge waterfall, but it's very charming. The water drops about 1.5 meters (5 feet) over the rocks. The river flows right under some impressive limestone cliffs called Cotterby Scar.
Even though it's not very tall, many people love to visit this waterfall. A famous long-distance walking path called the Coast to Coast Walk goes right past the falls on the north side of the River Swale. Also, the main road that goes through Upper Swaledale passes by on the south side. This makes it easy for walkers and drivers to stop and enjoy the view. It's a great spot to see the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales!
