Fordingdale Force
Fordingdale Force is a secluded waterfall located on Measand Beck in the remote western reaches of the Haweswater valley in the eastern Lake District of Cumbria, England. This cascade tumbles down the steep fellsides that rise dramatically above the reservoir, situated in an area of wild and sparsely populated upland terrain. The waterfall is formed where Measand Beck descends through a rocky ravine, creating a series of drops and cascades rather than a single sheer fall. The character of the waterfall varies considerably with seasonal conditions, becoming a powerful torrent during periods of heavy rainfall when the beck swells with runoff from the surrounding fells, while in drier summer months it may diminish to a modest flow threading through the rocks. The geology of the area is typical of the Lakeland fells, with hard volcanic rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group forming the resistant bedrock over which the water tumbles.
Measand Beck gathers its waters from the high ground on the western flanks of the Haweswater catchment, draining a relatively small but steep-sided valley between the fells. The stream flows eastward down Fordingdale, collecting tributary waters as it descends toward Haweswater Reservoir. The catchment area consists of rough moorland and fellside pasture, with acidic peaty soils and rocky outcrops characteristic of these upland environments. The beck's course is relatively short but energetic, dropping rapidly through a series of small gorges and open sections before reaching the reservoir. During its descent, Fordingdale Force represents one of the more notable features along the watercourse, where the gradient steepens and the beck has carved through the bedrock to create the waterfall sequence.
The name "Fordingdale" suggests an old crossing point or ford in this valley, with "dale" being the common Norse-derived term for valley used throughout Cumbria and northern England. The area has a long history of pastoral farming, with sheep grazing dominating the land use for centuries. The creation of Haweswater Reservoir in the 1930s dramatically altered the landscape of this valley system, with Manchester Corporation flooding the original valley and the village of Mardale Green to create a water supply for the growing industrial city. While Fordingdale itself was not submerged, the construction of the reservoir changed access patterns and the character of the surrounding area, transforming what had been a remote farming valley into an even more isolated location once the reservoir road system was established along the eastern shore.
The landscape surrounding Fordingdale Force is quintessentially Lakeland in character, with steep-sided valleys, rocky crags, and extensive areas of bracken and heather moorland. The western side of Haweswater is particularly wild and less frequented than the eastern shore, where the main road runs alongside the reservoir. The fells rising above Fordingdale include rough grazing land and areas of semi-natural upland vegetation, providing habitat for typical upland bird species such as meadow pipits, skylarks, and wheatears. Ravens and buzzards are commonly seen soaring above these valleys, and the surrounding area forms part of the range for red deer, which are present in good numbers around Haweswater. The beck itself, like many Lakeland streams, supports small populations of brown trout in its pools and runs.
Access to Fordingdale Force requires a commitment to serious fell walking, as the western side of Haweswater has no road access and limited paths. The most practical approach involves parking at one of the small parking areas near the reservoir, potentially near the northern end where limited facilities exist, and then undertaking a substantial walk around the reservoir head or across pathless terrain to reach Measand Beck and Fordingdale. The area is characterised by rough, boggy ground in places, with no maintained footpaths leading directly to the waterfall. Walkers attempting to visit should be properly equipped with appropriate footwear, waterproof clothing, and navigation equipment including map and compass, as the terrain is challenging and conditions can change rapidly. The nearest settlements with any facilities are several miles away, with Bampton or Shap being the closest villages offering basic amenities.
The remoteness and relative inaccessibility of Fordingdale Force means it receives very few visitors compared to the more famous and easily reached waterfalls of the Lake District such as Aira Force or Scale Force. This isolation is part of its appeal for those who do make the effort to reach it, offering a genuine sense of wilderness and solitude that has become increasingly rare in the more popular parts of the National Park. The waterfall and its valley retain an unspoiled character, little changed over the centuries apart from the presence of the reservoir visible to the east. For those seeking to escape the crowds and experience the Lake District's more remote corners, the journey to Fordingdale Force offers rewarding views and a connection to a landscape that remains much as it would have appeared to the shepherds and farmers who worked these fells in centuries past.