A new nature trail has been introduced at one of County Durham's best loved natural landmarks with the aim of encouraging children to engage with the great outdoors.
High Force is situated in the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark and is the largest waterfall in England. The River Tees plunges 21 metres (70 feet) over a precipice, with the river cutting through moors, meadows and woodlands - it's even been the setting for a book by LJ Ross and an episode of Emmerdale.
And in the thick of the summer holidays, a newly installed woodland experience forms part of a circular route around the waterfall and its immediate surroundings. A number of 'majestic' creatures have made their homes in the woods close by, with carvers creating a series of sculptures which have been placed along the trail from a moon-gazing hare and an observant owl to a beautiful fox and giant caterpillars.
Read more: County Durham waterfall named one of 10 you must see in the UK
Visitors can also climb onto a giant's chair, discover a living bug hotel and spot a selection of bird boxes in the trees. It is hoped that the trail will not only engage children with nature but also to see the benefits of outdoor play by listening to the sounds all around them and witnessing the 'delights' of nature in the forest setting.
Claire Jones, head of leisure and tourism at Raby Estates, said: "High Force Waterfall is a spectacular natural landmark with a fascinating history and incredible setting, and we’re incredibly proud of the new experience we’ve incorporated. We hope the new trail provides families with an engaging and immersive way to experience this area, encouraging them to think about the important wildlife habitats it supports, and providing them with fun ways to interact with this stunning landscape."
As well as the trail, a new Raby Estates app has been created with the aim of enhancing the overall visitor experience at High Force Waterfall and the surrounding area. Users can discover local walking routes via an interactive map, create their own tour of the waterfall walk by filtering different points of interest, and can locate nearby facilities such as food outlets, picnic areas and toilets.
Claire continued: "Whilst we’re highlighting nature in our new woodland trail, we also appreciate the integral role technology plays in our everyday lives – which is why it feels like a great time to introduce our new visitor app.
"Using this state-of-the-art functionality, we aim to bring to life this landmark and provide our guests with as much information as possible at their fingertips. We want this app to complement and enhance their overall experience, so they get as much out of their visit as possible."
The Raby Estates app is available to download for free via the App Store and Google Play Store. Signal is not always reliable in the area so it is recommended to download the app before your visit.
For more information on High Force including opening times and admission prices, visit the website.
What family days out do you have planned during the school summer holidays? Let us know!
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