Falling Foss Waterfall with Living Arrows 23/52 (2021)

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”  Half term has ended and we’ve had a very busy week. It’s been a bit up and down if I’m totally honest. We were all really run down after a long term and having to keep 4 children of various age gaps can sometimes be challenging. That said we have had some nice moments seeing friends, spotting scarecrows and on our last day visiting the Falling Foss waterfall near Whitby.

I had seen lots of photos of Falling Foss on social media and heard great reviews of the tea-rooms at the falls. With several reports of how tricky it is to walk down to the falls I was if I’m honest slightly put off to visit as I knew my intrepid explorers would want to visit the bottom of the falls and not just the tearooms.

I decided to give it a go this weekend after a dry spell of weather. The thought of a steep dry slope was more preferable than a wet muddy slope! It paid off as the steep slope just past the tearooms wasn’t nearly as bad as we expected.

It is a steep but short descent. It was however made easier by stable tree roots and a little rope, making scrambling down not too hard, plus some of us including me used our bottoms! We made it down to the river bed and a 5-10 minute scramble over some rocks and alongside the stream path brings you to a small muddy beach area opposite the waterfall.

It really is a lovely spot and worth the scramble, which wasn’t nearly as hard as I expected it to be. To put it into context, Florence our 4 year old managed fine getting down and back up with just a little bit of help here and there.

Myself, Fin, Teddy, Florence and of course Rusty all had a paddle. Fin even swam right up to the falls! I didn’t quite get that far as a falling tree put me off navigating too close to the waterfall.

After a relatively quick scramble back up the slope we took ourselves for a well earned treat in the tearooms. The staff were all friendly even after a very busy day serving lots of visitors. The cakes we can confirm were delicious and the coffee good.

If you’re unable to get down to the falls then we can also recommend a paddle in the stream by the Falling Foss tearooms as an easier alternative.

When we next visit the Falling Foss waterfall we would like to try out the 2 mile circular walk from May Beck ending along the boardwalk adjacent to the tearooms. If only so we can sample their rocky road again!

I hope you’ve all had a nice half term week and enjoyed the warmer weather we’ve at last been treated to! I have to say I could do with a few more days to recover before we start another long term at school.

This last term is going to be an emotional one for me as I say goodbye to the nursery / preschool days and see our last baby get ready for school in September. I’m not sure I’m ready for this stage after 15 years of having a little one at home with me.