Summerhill Force & Gibson’s Cave
Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave are just a short walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre and are one of the easiest waterfalls to visit in Teesdale.
The waterfall drops in a smooth cascade over a rocky outcrop that forms Gibson’s Cave beneath it, creating a natural overhang on Bow Lee Beck. The outcrop is now protected and safely walled off to prevent access behind the waterfall, helping to preserve the site while still allowing visitors to enjoy it from the viewpoint.
This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave, including where to park, how to find the waterfall and what to expect on the walk.
Quick Facts
Distance: Short out and back
Time: Around 10 minutes each way
Route type: Out and back
Start point: Bowlees Visitor Centre DL12 0XE
Parking: Bowlees Visitor Centre car park donation based
Terrain: Stone paths and woodland trails with steps
Difficulty: Easy and family friendly
Dog friendly: Yes, on a lead
Child friendly: Yes, with care near steps and water
Toilets and café: Available at Bowlees Visitor Centre
OS Map: Explorer OL31 North Pennines
Digital route guide: View on Hiiker
GPX files: Free download here
Interactive route map at the bottom of the page
Parking at Bowlees Visitor Centre
We usually park at Bowlees Visitor Centre (DL12 0XE), just a short walk from Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave. Parking is donation based, with suggested contributions of £2–3 for up to three hours or £3–4 for longer stays. These donations help look after Bowlees Visitor Centre and the surrounding North Pennines landscape.
The parking machine is cash only, but you can also donate inside the visitor centre when it’s open. There are toilets, picnic benches and a small café on site. In summer it can get busy, so we tend to arrive early in the day or later in the afternoon for a quieter visit.
Route Guide Step by Step
Start at Bowlees Visitor Centre car park, one of the best starting points for short walks in Upper Teesdale.
From the car park, do not cross the wooden bridge towards the visitor centre. Instead, head past the toilet block and follow the gravel path that follows Bow Lee Beck.
Almost straight away, keep an eye out for the Molluscarium near the start of the walk. This circular stone structure is easy to miss but is a nice little reminder that Bowlees is as much about the small details as it is the waterfalls.
As you continue along the gravel path, you will pass the old Bowlees quarry on your right. Now partly reclaimed by nature, it is a quiet spot with picnic benches where the landscape shows how a once worked site has slowly softened over time.
Opposite the quarry, along Bow Lee Beck, you will also notice a small cascade flowing over dark rock, an easy place to pause before heading further along the path.
Continue along and head up the section of stone steps. From here, follow the path as it winds gently through the woodland.
As you walk, keep your eyes open on the left for signs of the area’s past, including an old mine entrance and the remains of a former bridge crossing the beck.
Carry on along the path and the view begins to open out. Ahead, you will start to see Bow Lee Beck flowing over small stepped cascades, with Summerhill Force appearing in the background.
Follow the path a little further and you will reach the main viewpoint for Summerhill Force, where the waterfall drops in a single smooth cascade over the rock above Gibson’s Cave.
The cave itself sits behind the waterfall, though access behind the rock is now protected. The viewpoint still gives a clear and atmospheric view, with the sound of water echoing through the wooded valley.
This place is also linked to local folklore. The cave is said to be connected to the story of William Gibson, adding another layer of history to the landscape. You can read the full story in our Gibson’s Cave folklore guide.
What You’ll See Along the Way
The Molluscarium at Bowlees
Just a short distance from the car park, the Molluscarium is a circular stone structure designed to celebrate invertebrate life, particularly snails, as part of a North Pennines project. It’s a gentle introduction to the area and a reminder that this landscape isn’t just about big waterfalls, but also the smaller details that make Teesdale special.
A Small Waterfall on the Walk In
As you follow the stone path beside Bow Lee Beck, you’ll pass a small stepped waterfall where the water spills over dark rock ledges into shallow pools below. It’s an easy place to pause, listen to the sound of running water, and enjoy the sense of moving deeper into the wooded valley before reaching the main waterfall.
Summerhill Force from Below
Looking upstream, Summerhill Force reveals itself as a single, elegant cascade dropping over a rocky outcrop framed by trees and layered stone. The surrounding pools and smaller cascades add to the atmosphere, making this a peaceful and enclosed setting that feels tucked away despite being so close to Bowlees.
A Waterfall That Changes With the Seasons
One of the things that makes Summerhill Force so special is how different it feels throughout the year. Whether you visit in winter frost, fresh spring growth, or after heavy rain, the waterfall always looks and sounds a little different. It’s a place that rewards repeat visits and never quite looks the same twice.
A Classic View of Summerhill Force
At any time of year, the main viewpoint shows the waterfall in its simplest form: a single drop framed by layered rock, mossy ledges, and trees above. It’s an easy place to pause, take photos, or simply enjoy the steady rhythm of water in a sheltered woodland setting.
Summerhill Force in Full Flow
After rain, the waterfall becomes louder and more animated as water spills cleanly over the rocky outcrop and into the pool below. The sound fills the hollow beneath the rock and makes the whole setting feel alive, especially when the surrounding woodland is green and full.
Summerhill Force in Winter
In colder weather, Summerhill Force can transform into a frozen sculpture of ice and flowing water. Icicles form along the rock edges and the cascade slows into thick, textured shapes, creating a dramatic and rarely seen side of this quiet Teesdale waterfall.
A Hidden Waterfall Under the Bowlees Bridge
Just a minute from the car park, there’s a small waterfall that many people walk straight past without ever noticing.
Tucked beneath the bridge near the entrance to Bowlees, this gentle cascade slips over dark stone into a shaded pool below. It’s easy to miss, but once you spot it, it feels like a little secret hiding in plain sight.
It’s a nice place to pause before or after your walk, especially if you enjoy finding the smaller details that make Teesdale special.
If you want to take a closer look, we’ve put together a full guide to the Hidden Waterfall at Bowlees Visitor Centre, with directions and photos.
A Place to Slow Down and Care For
Summerhill Force sits within a protected part of Teesdale, and it’s a place that really benefits from being treated gently. The paths, rocks and surrounding woodland are easily worn, so sticking to the main routes and taking care near the water helps keep it special for everyone who comes after.
It’s one of the reasons we love this walk so much. It’s not about ticking off miles or chasing big views, it’s about slowing down, listening to the water and enjoying a short, peaceful wander that feels good for the head as much as the legs.
Summerhill Force also works beautifully as a starting point for exploring more of Upper Teesdale. From here, it’s easy to continue on to Low Force, High Force or Bleabeck Force, linking together some of the dale’s best waterfalls at your own pace. Whether you stop here or make a full day of it, this little corner of Teesdale always feels like a good place to begin.