Holme Force
Secluded multi-stage waterfall hidden in Holme Wood above Loweswater, where Holme Beck drops through moss-covered rock and pools. Best reached on foot from the established woodland paths.
About Holme Force
Holme Force is a secluded waterfall on Holme Beck inside Holme Wood, above the south-western shore of Loweswater. It is much less conspicuous than the famous waterfalls around Buttermere and Borrowdale because it cannot be seen from the main lakeside path.
The National Trust describes Holme Force as the least-known waterfall in the Buttermere Valley. Water drops through a wooded gorge over moss-covered rock, forming a series of cascades and pools. The falls can be particularly impressive after rain when Holme Beck is in spate.
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One of the safest and most useful viewpoints is around the single-span stone bridge over Holme Beck on the National Trust's Corpse Road and Tumuli walk. The Trust warns elsewhere in its visitor information that some informal paths towards the falls involve scrambling over a large boulder which is often slippery with moss. Cumbria Guru therefore recommends staying on established paths and using the bridge area rather than attempting to climb beside the falls.
Holme Force can be included in several Loweswater walks. From Maggie's Bridge, walkers can approach through Watergate Farm and Holme Wood, or use the higher Corpse Road route before descending into the woodland. The National Trust's full Corpse Road and Tumuli trail is 3.6 miles / 5.76 km and is classed as easy overall, although paths can be slippery when wet.
The waterfall itself is not part of the fully wheelchair-accessible lakeshore section. Visitors with mobility requirements can enjoy the upgraded Holme Wood and Loweswater shore route, but should not assume the waterfall detour has the same surface or gradient standard.
There are no facilities at Holme Force. Maggie's Bridge is the principal small parking area for the southern approach, with only around six to eight spaces, and there is no public transport to that route start. Wear suitable footwear, keep children and dogs away from slippery rock edges, and expect stronger flow after prolonged rain.
Our local note
A genuinely hidden Lake District waterfall rather than a roadside photo stop. It is at its best after rain, but the woodland setting and slippery ground mean the established bridge viewpoint is the sensible way to enjoy it.
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