Aysgarth Falls: History of Yorkshire's magnificent waterfalls formed after the last Ice Age where Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was filmed
Aysgarth Falls are three waterfalls surrounded by woodland and farmland that were formed following the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago - here’s the history.
The three waterfalls that make up Aysgarth Falls are located near the prehistoric village of Aysgarth.
Thousands of gallons of water flow over the series of broad limestone steps, divided into three stages: Upper Force, Middle Force and Lower Force.
At the end of the last Ice Age, Aysgarth Falls was among various formations in Yorkshire that was created from glacial meltwater between 10,000 and 11,700 years ago.
It has been attracting visitors for more than 200 years, including John Ruskin, J.M.W. Turner and William Woodsworth.
They were formed when meltwater from the Ice Age that had been held back by a terminal moraine spilled down over the area and eroded the boulder clay and the bedrock limestone beneath.
The waterfalls drop 200 feet over a half-mile section of the river and are nestled within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The name ‘Aysgarth’ derives from Old Norse that means the open space in the oak trees.
There are public footpaths through the wooded valley with views of the river and falls as well as wild flowers that appear in the spring and summer every year. Snowdrops can be spotted in January and February, primroses in April and bluebells in May.
It is a popular place to observe wildlife including birds, squirrels and deer.
The 1991 American action adventure film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was filmed at the falls during the fight scene between Robin (Kevin Costner) and Little John (Nick Brimble).
Many well known actors starred in the film including Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater, Alan Rickman, and Geraldine McEwan.
It was also the filming location for the 1992 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights starring Ralph Fiennes (marking his film debut), Juliette Binoche, Jeremy Northam, Janet McTeer and Sinead O’Connor.