Not far from the village of Aysgarth in Lower Wensleydale, the River Ure drops about 30 feet (9 metres) in just less than a mile. Surrounded by attractive forest and farmland, the river tumbles over a series of three broad limestone steps, which stretch right out across the valley.
The Aysgarth Falls are believed to have formed during the last ice age, and have been celebrated as a tourist beauty spot for at least 200 years. Famous visitors included Turner, Ruskin and Wordsworth, who all enthused about the falls' outstanding beauty. In 1991 the falls were featured in the film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves', and it has since become one of Wensleydale's most famous and popular attractions.