Corby castle cascade

The waterfall here crashes down with real purpose - it's the sort of thing that makes you understand why Victorians got so excited about water features. Corby Castle Cascade sits just outside Carlisle, and it's the kind of spot where the Irthings does something properly dramatic as it cuts through the sandstone.

You're looking at a genuine natural feature rather than some manicured tourist attraction. The cascade tumbles down in a series of drops, and in wet weather it's genuinely impressive - in summer, when the river's lower, it's more of a pleasant trickle. The banks are wooded and steep, which means it feels rather more remote than you'd expect given how close it is to the city.

Historywalkers will appreciate that Corby Castle itself - a proper stately home - sits nearby and overlooks the cascade, though access to the grounds varies. The walk down to the water is short but involves some scrambling, so it's manageable for most but not ideal if you've got very small children in tow.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Englethwaite Hall or Eden Valley Glamping are both excellent - this makes for a quick outing rather than a full day's activity. Allow an hour maximum for the walk and a proper look around. Go after heavy rain if you can; that's when the cascade actually earns its name. Free to visit, naturally, and worth combining with a walk along the river itself or a visit to Carlisle's centre, which is only a few miles north.