Summerhill Force by munki-boy

Summerhill Force

Summerhill Force is a waterfall found in a wooded glade near Bowness in Upper Teesdale.

The overhang behind and to the side of Summerhill Force waterfall is known as “Gibson’s Cave”.

The cave is named after William Gibson. In the 16th century an outlaw, Gibson hid here while on the run from the constables of Barnard Castle.

William Gibson was said to have been a lovable rogue. He was supplied with food and dry clothes by friends, while he hid behind the waterfall in his secret hideaway.

Summerhill Force is in North Pennines AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Created: 27  August  2016  Edited: 29  November  2023

Summerhill Force

Summerhill Force LiDAR Map

A LiDAR Map showing the area around Summerhill Force

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Local History around Summerhill Force

There are some historic monuments around including:

A group of six shielings and tracks on Holwick Scars, 280m west of Hungry HallGroup of eight shielings and a track on Crossthwaite Scars 675m north west of Park EndMedieval farmstead at High Knott, 380m west of West Force GarthRoman period native farmstead at Hind Gate, 140m south of Green HouseMedieval farmstead at Pasture Foot, 510m north west of Bleabeck ForceMedieval farmstead, bloomery, charcoal pits and late prehistoric settlement at Pasture Foot, 300m west of Bleabeck ForceTwo Romano-British hut circles and three shielings on Holwick Scars 250m south of Hungry HallRomano-British and medieval settlement and field systems,leadmines and charcoal pit on Crossthwaite Common, south of Park End QuarryColdberry lead mine and associated hushesMedieval iron industry and settlement and Bronze Age burial cairns extending from 260m north west of Eel Beck to 140m south east of Wash BeckRoman period native settlement and field system 260m west of Wynch BridgeTwo burnt mounds south of Blackmea Crag Sike, 590m south west of Castle HouseRomano-British hut circle and enclosing bank and ditch immediately east of High Force QuarryRoman period native settlement, medieval bloomery, building and track, and a charcoal pit at Keld Smithy Green, Holwick FellIron Age cemetery, early medieval enclosure and medieval farmstead with a long boundary, Middle Hurth EdgeRoman period native settlements and field system, hut circle, bloomeries, lead smelting site and charcoal pits immediately south east of East Force GarthPrehistoric settlement, two burnt mounds and a burial cairn on the north bank of Blackmea Crag Sike, 570m south west of Middle FarmPrehistoric settlement and burnt mound at Bleabeck WashfoldBurnt mound on the south bank of Scar Beck, 510m south west of Mizzes HouseRoman period native settlement and a bloomery 160m north west of Bleabeck ForceBurial cairns, burnt mound, Roman native settlement, medieval settlement with field system and iron industry remains, and five shielings on Holwick FellMedieval farmstead 390m south of Lodge Sike FarmPike Law lead hushes and minesBurnt mound, cairnfield and bloomery at Eel Beck, 480m south of Blackmea Crag, Holwick FellRoman period native settlement at Calf Holm, immediately west of Dine Holm Scar.

Summerhill Force map

Summerhill Force UK Map