Things to do in Cross Fell

Cash Force is a remote waterfall located on Cash Burn in the northern Pennines of Cumbria, England, positioned on the northern flanks of Cross Fell, the highest peak in the Pennine range. The waterfall sits at an elevation of approximately 550 meters above sea level in one of England's most exposed and wild upland environments. Cash Force presents as a cascading fall where the burn tumbles over a series of rock steps formed from the characteristic Carboniferous limestone and sandstone geology of the Cross Fell massif. The height of the main drop is modest, typically in the range of 3 to 5 meters, though the total descent over the cascade section extends further. The force is most impressive during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt when the burn carries substantial flow from the high moorland catchment, transforming from a modest trickle in dry conditions to a powerful torrent that thunders over the rock ledges. Cash Burn rises on the high plateaus and slopes north of Cross Fell summit, gathering water from the extensive peat moorlands and exposed fell sides that characterize this portion of the northern Pennines. The stream flows generally northward, descending from the watershed through a landscape shaped by glacial action and centuries of erosion. The catchment area encompasses rough grazing land and blanket bog typical of the Pennine uplands, with the burn cutting through deposits of glacial till before encountering the more resistant rock bands that create the waterfall. The geology here reflects the layered sedimentary rocks of the Carboniferous period, with alternating beds of limestone, sandstone, and shale creating the stepped profile that defines Cash Force and many other falls in the region. The surrounding landscape is quintessentially that of the high Pennines, characterized by vast expanses of moorland, rough grassland, and exposed rock outcrops. Cross Fell itself, rising to 893 meters, dominates the skyline to the south and is notorious for its severe weather conditions, including the notorious Helm Wind, a rare type of fell wind that can reach gale force. The area around Cash Force experiences some of the harshest climate conditions in England, with high rainfall, strong winds, and frequent mist even during summer months. The vegetation consists primarily of hardy upland species including mat grass, purple moor grass, heather, and bilberry, with wetland areas supporting cotton grass and sphagnum mosses. The moorland provides habitat for upland bird species such as curlew, golden plover, and red grouse, while the stream itself may support dipper and grey wagtail in its lower reaches. Access to Cash Force requires a significant upland walk into remote terrain with no facilities or marked paths in the immediate vicinity of the waterfall. The nearest road access is likely from the hamlet of Garrigill to the east or from minor roads approaching from the Eden Valley to the west, though any approach involves several kilometers of walking across open moorland. Visitors should be experienced in mountain navigation and properly equipped for upland conditions, as the area is exposed, pathless in places, and subject to rapid weather deterioration. The OS grid reference NY700388 places the fall in genuinely wild country where map and compass skills are essential. There are no visitor facilities, cafes, or formal parking areas specifically for accessing this waterfall, and any visit should be treated as a serious hill walk requiring appropriate preparation. The remote and challenging nature of the terrain means Cash Force sees very few visitors compared to more accessible waterfalls in popular tourist areas. This isolation has preserved the waterfall in a largely pristine state, free from the erosion and visitor impact that affects more frequented sites. The area forms part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, recognized for its distinctive upland landscape, geological significance, and traditional land use patterns. The broader Cross Fell area has been shaped by centuries of sheep grazing and lead mining, though there is no specific evidence of industrial archaeology immediately associated with Cash Force itself. The North Pennines were designated as a European Geopark due to their outstanding geological heritage, and the rocks exposed at Cash Force and along Cash Burn contribute to this designation. The name "Cash" likely derives from Old English or Norse linguistic roots common to many features in the northern Pennines, possibly relating to the nature of the stream or the surrounding terrain, though specific etymological evidence for this particular name is not readily documented. The term "force" is the standard northern English and Scottish dialect word for waterfall, derived from Old Norse "foss," reflecting the Viking settlement and linguistic influence in Cumbria and the broader region. The Cross Fell area more generally features in historical accounts as one of England's most formidable mountain environments, and the approach routes across these moors would have been significant in the days before modern roads when packhorse routes crossed the Pennines carrying goods between the Eden Valley and the eastern dales.