Mosedale Beck, Wasdale Head, near Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1EX
Ritson's Force
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
6.7
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.7A short walk from Wasdale Head Inn, Mosedale Beck tumbles over rocky steps into clear pools beneath the fells. Ritson's Force is a small-scale waterfall with an arresting turquoise colour and a stone bridge on the approach.
The striking pools and cascades make a brief visit feel like a real discovery, while open fell scenery gives the short walk a sense of place. Uneven, boggy ground and the rocky final approach mean it is not a polished or accessible attraction.
Peaceful · Dramatic · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapMosedale Beck, Wasdale Head, near Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1EX
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Come for the cascades and clear pools, and allow time to explore only where the ground is safe. The walk is short, but the final approach is rocky and can be slippery or boggy. Swimming is described by supplied sources, but permission and current conditions are not confirmed.
Things to do
Cross the old stone bridge
The route passes an old arched stone bridge shortly after leaving the Wasdale Head Inn start point.
A few minutes
Follow the beck to the cascades
Continue along the grassy track to the falls, taking care on the uneven, rocky final approach.
About 30–60 minutes return, depending on stops
Look for the blue-green pools
Pause to take in the unusual colour of the clear water and the way it moves over rocky steps. View from stable ground; the banks and rocks can be slippery.
10–30 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 30–60 minutes
Quick Escape: stone bridge to the falls
- 01
Start opposite the bar entrance at Wasdale Head Inn, by the picnic benches described in the route guide.
- 02
Follow the gravel path through the gate and cross the old stone bridge.
- 03
Continue on the grassy track towards the signed entrance to Ritson's Force.
- 04
Take care on the rocky descent, enjoy the cascades from a safe position, and return the same way.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: falls, pools and a Wasdale stop
- 01
Walk the short out-and-back route from Wasdale Head Inn to Ritson's Force.
- 02
Allow extra time to view the cascades and pools from safe ground; the route guide describes further falls upstream and downstream.
- 03
Return to Wasdale Head Inn for food or a drink, checking current service details before setting out.
Verified history
A supplied route guide says the waterfall takes its name from William “Auld Will” Ritson, a 19th-century landlord of the nearby Wasdale Head Inn, remembered for elaborate tall tales. The source describes stories about enormous turnips and foxhounds with eagle wings. This account is presented by the source as local character and folklore rather than independently verified biography.
Folklore & legend
Local tales attributed to William “Auld Will” Ritson included turnips so large they could serve as sheep pens and foxhounds with eagle wings. The supplied source presents these as tall tales, not literal events.
Hidden details
A cave pool among the falls — A supplied visitor account identifies a cave pool among the waterfall features. Treat the rocky route and water's edge with caution.
More cascades beyond the first pool — The supplied route guide describes additional falls downstream, while another account notes pools both upstream and downstream. Stay on ground you can safely negotiate.
When to go
March · April · May · June · July · August · September · No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check conditions before setting out.
The supplied route guide says the waterfall is strongest after heavy rain or during the spring thaw, and suggests summer for warmer-weather visits to the pools. These are general seasonal observations, not guarantees of suitable swimming conditions.
Paths may become boggy after wet weather; the final approach is rocky and can be slippery. Water levels vary. Use suitable footwear, supervise children near the falls, and do not attempt jumps or scrambles based on online suggestions.
The route
- ascent
- About 50 m according to one supplied guide
- stiles
- Not specified
- surface
- Gravel path, grassy track and rougher dirt path; can be boggy, with a rocky final approach
- distance
- About 600 m each way according to one supplied guide
- duration
- Not specified; the walk is described as short
- difficulty
- Easy on the main approach according to one guide; another describes the walk as moderate due to boggy ground and a steep, rocky final section
- waymarking
- A supplied guide describes a sign for Ritson's Force near the falls
- route shape
- Linear out-and-back
- start point
- Opposite the main entrance to the bar at Wasdale Head Inn, by the picnic benches
- parking start
- A supplied route guide describes free parking on grass and dirt near Wasdale Head Inn; spaces may fill on warm weekends and holidays. Check before visiting.
- shorter alternative
- Enjoy the view from the top of the main path without descending to the water's edge.
- Old stone bridge
- Views towards the surrounding high fells
- Cascades and clear pools on Mosedale Beck
Worth pairing with
Wasdale Head Inn
The walk begins by the inn, which supplied sources describe as offering food and drink. Check current facilities and opening details before visiting.
Wastwater
A supplied visitor guide suggests Wastwater as a nearby longer-swimming alternative. This is not confirmation of swimming permission or current safety; check local guidance before entering the water.
What to look for
Notice the old stone bridge soon after the start, then look for the sequence of cascades and the unusual blue-green colour of the pools. The supplied route guide also describes a cave pool and further falls downstream.
The story
Folklore & legend
Best time to go
Spring after rain for stronger falls; summer for warmer-weather visits to the pools. Conditions and water levels vary.
After rainfall or during the spring thaw, the falls are described as more powerful. Summer is the season suggested by the route guide for warmer-water dips, but water levels and conditions vary.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Couples · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A short walk from the Wasdale Head Inn leads to the falls. The path includes a stone bridge, uneven and potentially boggy ground, and a steep, rocky final approach. Access rights are not confirmed in the supplied information; check before visiting and take care near the water. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
The supplied route guide describes free parking on grass and dirt near Wasdale Head Inn; spaces may fill on warm weekends and holidays. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The supplied route guide says facilities are available at Wasdale Head Inn for customers. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Wasdale Head Inn is described as serving food and drink. Check opening and service details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
A supplied route guide says dogs are permitted and should be kept under control. Check local requirements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible according to the source row. The approach has uneven, potentially boggy ground and a steep, rocky final section.
Cost
Free
Water
Stream
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Ritson's Force
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
