Little Shotton Waterfall

The waterfall at Little Shotton is modest, I'll be honest about that straight away. You won't get the thundering cascade you might dream of - it's more of a gentle drop that works hardest after heavy rain. But that's rather the point. It sits on the River Coquet, just outside Morpeth, and it's the sort of place that rewards you for bothering to find it, precisely because so many people don't.

The walk to reach it takes you along riverside paths with decent views across the valley. In winter, when water levels are up, it's actually quite atmospheric. Come in high summer during a dry spell and you might wonder why you've traipsed all this way. The setting is what saves it - proper Northumberland countryside, quiet enough that you'll likely have the place to yourself.

Walkers will appreciate the approach more than anyone else. It's not a destination to pin your whole day around, but if you're staying at Tranwell Farm Holidays nearby, it's worth the modest detour. The walk itself is genuinely pleasant, which matters more than the waterfall itself. Allow an hour roundtrip from the car park.

No admission charge, no facilities to speak of, no faffing about. Just go after it's rained if you can manage it. Families with young kids might find the walk a bit much without a proper payoff, but serious walkers will find the quiet riverside path as rewarding as the water itself.