Hidden Waterfall at Bowlees Visitor Centre
A small hidden waterfall on Bow Beck sits just a short walk from the car park at Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale.
Most people arrive here and head straight towards Low Force or High Force, often walking straight past this quiet spot without realising it is there. Tucked beneath the old stone bridge at the entrance to the car park, this small cascade is easy to miss, but once you know where to look, it becomes one of those places you will always stop at.
The stone bridge above the waterfall is historically known as Bow Lee Bridge, giving this quiet spot a name that is rooted in the landscape rather than signposts.
It is not a large waterfall, but it does not need to be. The sound of water flowing over the rocks, the surrounding woodland, and the feeling of being just slightly away from the main path give it a calm and peaceful feel that makes it worth seeking out.
Quick Facts
Location: Bowlees Visitor Centre, Upper Teesdale
Postcode: DL12 0EX
Distance from parking: Around 2 minutes walk
Terrain: Short woodland path, slightly uneven near water
Difficulty: Easy
Dog friendly: Yes
Pushchair friendly: No, short uneven path
Facilities: Café, toilets, car park at Bowlees Visitor Centre
Where is the hidden waterfall at Bowlees Visitor Centre
The waterfall sits on Bow Beck directly beside the main car park at Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale.
As you drive into the car park, you pass the small stone Bow Lee Bridge. The waterfall is tucked just beneath this bridge, slightly below road level, which is why it is so often missed.
You can often hear the water flowing before you see it, especially after rainfall.
How to find it
From the main Bowlees Visitor Centre car park:
Park in the main car park and walk towards the lower end of the car park near the entrance road.
Look for a small woodland opening that feels like a natural archway. Head through here and you will find picnic benches and small cascades running along Bow Beck.
Follow the water for a few seconds towards the bridge and the waterfall sits directly beneath it.
For a better view, walk over the stone bridge and look for a public footpath sign on the far side. Turn left onto this path and you will get a clearer side view looking back towards the waterfall.
What you will see
As you approach, Bow Beck gently flows through a series of small cascades before dropping beneath the bridge in a short but attractive waterfall.
The setting is quiet and enclosed, with trees, stonework and flowing water creating a calm atmosphere just a few metres from the car park.
It is a simple place, but that is what makes it stand out. There is no signage and no crowds, just a small piece of Teesdale that most people overlook.
A perfect easy stop in Teesdale
This is one of the easiest waterfalls to reach in Teesdale.
With only a short walk from the car park, it is ideal if you are already visiting Bowlees or looking for something quick and accessible.
It also works well as a starting point before heading further along the River Tees towards Low Force and High Force or further along to Bleabeck Force, making it a great addition to a wider day out.
A moment of calm
Most people pass straight through Bowlees without noticing what is right beside them.
If you take a moment here before heading off on the main paths, you will hear the water moving quietly beneath the bridge, slightly hidden from view.
It is a small place, but sometimes those are the ones that feel the most peaceful.
Explore more from Bowlees Visitor Centre
Bowlees is one of the best starting points in Teesdale for waterfalls and short walks.
From here you can easily reach:
Low Force Waterfall
High Force Waterfall
Summerhill Force
Bleabeck Force
Flushiemere Beck Waterfall
Each offers something slightly different, from short accessible walks to longer routes across open moorland.
About this guide
This page is based on a real visit to the hidden waterfall at Bowlees Visitor Centre.
All directions and descriptions are written from first hand experience to help you find places that are easy to miss and enjoy them with confidence.
Are you part of the Outdoor Exploring Family
The Outdoor Exploring Family is not about ticking off summits or rushing from one place to the next.
It is for anyone who enjoys the walk itself, notices the small details, and finds something in being outside that brings a calmer, clearer mindset.
If that sounds like you, then you are already part of it.
You just might not have realised it yet.