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Thornhill

Top 11 Waterfalls around Thornhill

Best waterfalls around Thornhill are found in a region characterized by diverse natural landscapes, including gorges, rivers, and forests. This area offers a variety of outdoor experiences, from challenging scrambles to family-friendly nature reserves. Visitors can explore historical sites alongside natural cascades, making it a destination for both adventure and cultural interest. The terrain often features dramatic elevation changes and lush woodlands, providing scenic routes for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Best waterfalls around Thornhill

  • The most popular waterfalls is Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, a viewpoint that features a pretty brook tumbling through a plantation. It is managed by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and is known for its abundance of wildlife.
  • Another must-see spot is Grindsbrook Clough, a gorge with many waterfalls on the way up. This challenging trail requires using hands in places, especially as it gets steeper, offering a scenic route to a plateau.
  • Visitors also love Crowden Clough Scramble and Waterfalls, a challenging viewpoint and gorge. This Grade I scramble leads up onto the Kinder plateau, providing an enjoyable experience for those comfortable with climbing.
  • Thornhill is known for its clough scrambles, nature reserves, and historical sites with waterfalls. The region offers a variety of waterfalls to see and explore, from challenging climbs with cascades to tranquil brooks in nature reserves.
  • The waterfalls around Thornhill are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 60 photos and over 190 upvotes from visitors.

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Grindsbrook Clough

Highlight • Gorge

This is a very scenic way to get up to the plateau! There are lots of waterfalls on the way up. The actual scramble starts out relatively gently but gets steeper and steeper as you progress, requiring you to use your hands in places. The rocks can get slippery at times, especially after heavy rain, so take care. We've done this both ways, coming up and going down, with our then 9 year old, who loved it.

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Wyming Brook Nature Reserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

This pretty brook tumbles down through the Fox Holes Plantation on its way from the Redmires Reservoirs to the reservoir created by the Rivelin Dams. It's at its best after heavy rain when it roars.

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Green's Mill Ruins and Waterfall

Highlight • Historical Site

Here, you can observe a mill pond and evidence of ruined stonework in an atmospheric wooded setting. The site is the remains of an old paper mill, which was in use from the early 1800s until 1859. The mill produced coarse brown paper for shop factories. Before this, the site was a lead smelt mill.

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Waterfall Swallet

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Waterfall Swallet is a virtually unknown gem along the side of unassuming road, between the small settlements of Foolow and Eyam. It's easy to simply drive past, as the waterfall is largely hidden from view by a small copse of trees.

Nestled into a charming cleft of limestone, the Waterfall Swallet, which means 'a place where water breaks in on miners' is privately owned - and therefore the plunging water should be viewed from the roadside. In the summer it's possible to access the bottom of the falls through the surrounding wilderness, but the rocky area which surrounds the site is potentially dangerous in colder and wetter months.

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Grindsbrook Stream

Highlight • Waterfall

Great after heavy rain

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Tips from the Community

jeff
March 23, 2026, Waterfall Swallet

This waterfall is well hidden in a cop of trees. But it is best visited during a wet spell as if it has been dry you well be met with a damp cliff wall.

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The mill pond itself is not particularly exciting, but it tells a story of an industrial history now hidden in the trees and overgrowth that surrounds it. You can find out more about it on this website (https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about/archaeology/greens-mill) - There is a QR for this website located on the path close to the mill pond.

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Ged
March 8, 2025, Grindsbrook Stream

Brilliant day out especially if the weather is good

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Great for adventures with kids

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Very little to see and very overgrown with Brambles & Ferns, but enough to appreciate the history of what went on here in the past.

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Lee
June 28, 2024, Grindsbrook Clough

This is a scramble to get up or down from. Good fitness required. Would say this is harder than Jacobs ladder, to give context.

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Pretty waterfall. Access down to the foot of it is unsuitable for anyone with mobility issues.

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Great outing!! We did over an hour's drive to get here and I would do it again - lovely walk, lovely Brook, nice Cafe en-route. Just a great feel good day!!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular waterfalls and natural features to explore around Thornhill?

The area around Thornhill offers diverse natural features. Popular spots include Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, known for its pretty brook tumbling through a plantation and abundance of wildlife. You can also explore Grindsbrook Clough, a gorge featuring many waterfalls on the way up to the plateau.

Are there challenging waterfall trails for experienced hikers?

Yes, for those seeking a challenge, Grindsbrook Clough offers a challenging trail with numerous waterfalls, requiring the use of hands in places as it gets steeper. Another excellent option is Crowden Clough Scramble and Waterfalls, a Grade I scramble that leads up onto the Kinder plateau, providing an enjoyable experience for those comfortable with climbing.

Are there any family-friendly waterfalls or nature reserves?

Absolutely. Wyming Brook Nature Reserve is noted as family-friendly, offering paths and trails through woodland where the brook is great fun to play in during summer. It's a wonderful place to explore with children.

What is the best time to visit the waterfalls around Thornhill?

Many waterfalls in the area are at their most impressive after heavy rainfall. For instance, the brook at Wyming Brook Nature Reserve roars after heavy rain. Similarly, Waterfall Swallet is best visited during a wet spell, as it might just be a damp cliff wall if it has been dry.

Can I find historical sites with waterfalls in the area?

Yes, you can visit Green's Mill Ruins and Waterfall. This site features the remains of an old paper mill, which was in use from the early 1800s, set in an atmospheric wooded area with a mill pond and waterfall. It offers an interesting glimpse into the region's industrial past.

Are there any hidden gem waterfalls worth discovering?

Yes, Waterfall Swallet is described as a virtually unknown gem. It's largely hidden from view by a small copse of trees and nestled into a charming cleft of limestone. While privately owned, it can be viewed from the roadside, and in summer, it's possible to access the bottom through the surrounding wilderness.

What outdoor activities can I do near these waterfalls?

The region around Thornhill offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous mountain hikes, such as the Curbar Edge – Froggatt Edge loop or the Grindslow Knoll Summit loop. There are also extensive gravel biking routes, including the Ladybower Reservoir loop, and road cycling routes like The Strines, Langsett Reservoir & Mam Tor Nick loop. For more details on these activities, explore the Mountain Hikes around Thornhill, Gravel biking around Thornhill, and Road Cycling Routes around Thornhill guides.

What do visitors enjoy most about the waterfalls around Thornhill?

Visitors frequently praise the scenic beauty and the sense of adventure. Many enjoy the challenging scrambles and the rewarding views from the plateaus. The peaceful natural settings, the abundance of wildlife, and the opportunity to see the brooks roaring after rain are also highly appreciated.

Are the waterfall trails suitable for dogs?

Yes, Wyming Brook Nature Reserve is specifically noted as dog-friendly, making it a great option for walks with your canine companion.

What should I wear when hiking to waterfalls in this area?

Given that many trails involve scrambling and can be slippery, especially after rain, it's advisable to wear sturdy hiking boots with good grip. For challenging routes like Grindsbrook Clough, keeping your hands free is a must, so consider a backpack for essentials rather than carrying items in your hands.

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see near the waterfalls?

At Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, managed by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, there's an abundance of wildlife. You might spot common lutestring and northern spinach moths, as well as birds like Crossbills, Dippers, Bull Finch, and Pied Flycatchers.

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Happy to travel a little further afield? Then browse these guides for the best waterfalls around Thornhill:

New MillsCharlesworthTintwistleHayfieldHope WoodlandsChapel-En-Le-FrithWhaley BridgeChinley, Buxworth And BrownsideHartington Upper QuarterChisworthWormhillPeak ForestCastletonDerwentHopeEdaleBrough And ShattonAstonBamfordKing SterndaleGreen Fairfield

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