Tallest Single-Drop Waterfall in England: Cautley Spout

Cautley Spout in the Howgill Fells, Cumbria (Yorkshire Dales National Park) is widely recognized as England's highest single-drop waterfall.

Key Facts

• Drop: 200 feet (61 m) unbroken vertical fall.
• Source: River Rawthey (tributary of the Lune), fed by streams off the Howgill plateau.
• Location: Near Sedbergh, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park (though Howgills are geologically distinct from the main Dales).
• Access: Moderate hike (~2 mi / 3.2 km round trip) from A685 near Cross Keys inn. Path follows Rawthey, then steepens up the fell side. Can be boggy.
• Best viewed: After rain (spring/autumn). In dry summer, may reduce to trickle. Winter: spectacular ice formations.

Distinction: "Tallest" vs. "Highest"

• Highest single drop: Cautley Spout (200 ft / 61 m).
• Highest total fall (multi-step): Hardraw Force (Wensleydale) – 100 ft (30 m) single drop, but Gaping Gill (underground) has 350 ft (107 m) drop into cavern (not surface).
• Highest above sea level: Various small falls on Cross Fell / High Cup Nick.

Nearby Attractions

• The Calf (676 m) – Howgills' summit.
• Sedbergh – "Book Town," historic school.
• Rawthey Bridge – Picturesque stone bridge.

Cautley Spout is a geological gem—a hanging valley carved by glacial meltwater, now a slender silver thread plunging into a deep gorge. A must for waterfall hunters in Northern England.