How long is the Falling Foss walk?

The short circular from May Beck is 2 miles (3.2km), about 1.5 hours. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's longer loop via Little Beck Wood is 4.3 miles (7km).

Where do you park for Falling Foss?

At Forestry England's Falling Foss car park, a few minutes from the waterfall, or May Beck car park for the circular walk. Both are pay by RingGo.

Is Falling Foss Tea Garden open?

It is seasonal. In 2026 it opened on selected weekends in May and every weekend in July and August. It is closed in winter.

Is Falling Foss dog friendly?

Dogs are allowed in Sneaton Forest.

Are there toilets at Falling Foss?

No. The nearest public toilets we can confirm are in Goathland, at the National Park car park.

Things to Do

Falling Foss

By Jon Cosson · Updated 29 October 2026 · Checked 29 October 2026

Falling Foss is a 30-foot waterfall in the woods of Sneaton Forest, near Littlebeck, about six miles south of Whitby. Beside it stands Midge Hall, home of the Falling Foss Tea Garden, and a short walk away is the Hermitage, a shelter carved from a single boulder.

Before you go: the practical facts

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Location: Falling Foss Tea Garden, Midge Hall, Falling Foss, Whitby YO22 5JD (use the car park details below for navigation).
Who runs it: the woodland around the falls is Sneaton Forest, managed by Forestry England. Little Beck Wood downstream is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. The tea garden is a private business.
Car parks: Forestry England runs two, each with 28 spaces including two accessible bays, open 7am to 5pm. Falling Foss car park is a few minutes' walk from the waterfall (what3words ///closer.happen.besotted, RingGo location 31092). May Beck car park is the start of the classic circular walk (what3words ///crows.inclined.cartoons, grid ref NZ 892 024, RingGo location 31093). Both are cash free: pay by the RingGo app, phone or online. Signal is poor, so you have up to 48 hours to pay. Forestry England members park free. The Falling Foss car park fills early in peak season. See /plan/parking.
Toilets: none at either car park. The nearest public toilets we can confirm are in Goathland, at the National Park car park.
Café: the Falling Foss Tea Garden is a seasonal, open-air tea garden. In 2026 it opened on selected weekends in May and every weekend in July and August, weather permitting, so it is closed in winter. 2027 dates have not been published.
Dogs: allowed in Sneaton Forest.
Accessibility: Forestry England says there is no easy access route. Paths are rough, uneven and steep in places, and unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Public transport: no regular bus serves Falling Foss, so most visitors drive or walk in.

The walk from May Beck

Short circular, 2 miles (3.2km), about 1.5 hours: from May Beck car park, follow the path through the woods to Falling Foss and Midge Hall, then return alongside May Beck. Paths are mostly woodland, sometimes uneven and stony, with easy to moderate gradients.

Longer circular, 4.3 miles (7km): Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's route leaves May Beck over the cattle grid and follows the Coast to Coast path beside the stream. At Foss Lane, cross the bridge and fork right to Falling Foss. Take the left fork beside the beck, past the Hermitage and into Little Beck Wood. Continue through farmland past Foss Lane farm, then take the middle path uphill back to May Beck. Expect hills, a boardwalk, stiles and fields.

Look out for dippers and grey wagtails on the beck, nuthatches and woodpeckers in the oaks, bluebells in spring and fungi in autumn.

A short history

The name: "foss" comes from the Old Norse for waterfall.

The Hermitage: a large boulder hollowed out into a shelter, dating from the 1700s.

Midge Hall: built in the 18th century as an isolated gamekeeper's cottage. By the 1930s it was a tea garden, with visitors bussed in from the coast. It was abandoned in the 1960s and fell into ruin, then was bought and restored as a home and tea garden in 2008.

Tips and timing

The falls are at their fullest after rain, but expect mud.
Wear boots: the paths are rough and the woodland is steep.
Download RingGo before you leave home; signal is patchy.
In winter, bring your own flask, as the tea garden is shut.
Fires, barbecues and stoves are not allowed in the forest.

Nearby

Falling Foss FAQs

How long is the Falling Foss walk?: The short circular from May Beck is 2 miles (3.2km), about 1.5 hours. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's longer loop via Little Beck Wood is 4.3 miles (7km).
Where do you park for Falling Foss?: At Forestry England's Falling Foss car park, a few minutes from the waterfall, or May Beck car park for the circular walk. Both are pay by RingGo.
Is Falling Foss Tea Garden open?: It is seasonal. In 2026 it opened on selected weekends in May and every weekend in July and August. It is closed in winter.
How high is Falling Foss?: About 30 feet.
Is Falling Foss dog friendly?: Dogs are allowed in Sneaton Forest.
Are there toilets at Falling Foss?: No. The nearest public toilets we can confirm are in Goathland, at the National Park car park.

Sources checked 29 October 2026: Forestry England, Sneaton Forest; Forestry England, parking at Sneaton Forest; Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Falling Foss circular walk guide; Falling Foss Tea Garden; Visit North Yorkshire, May Beck and Falling Foss walk; North York Moors National Park, Little Beck Wood; Yorkshire Post.

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