Galleny Force
Getting there, parking, where to stay and the fells you can walk straight from Galleny Force.
Galleny Force at a glance
Galleny Force is a string of clear pools and gentle falls on Stonethwaite Beck, tucked into the peaceful Borrowdale hamlet of Stonethwaite — and it's become one of Lakeland's best-loved wild-swimming spots, known locally as "the Fairy Glen." It isn't a single dramatic drop like Aira Force; it's a lovely, low-key place of dipping pools, mossy rock and overhanging trees, reached by an easy valley walk. (This is the Borrowdale Galleny Force — not the better-known Fairy Glen in Wales.)
Quick facts
| What it is | A series of pools and small falls on Stonethwaite Beck — the local "Fairy Glen" — near Stonethwaite |
| The walk | An easy ~1-mile valley walk from Stonethwaite along the Cumbria Way |
| Can you swim? | Yes — a popular wild swim, but cold and unmanaged; read the honest safety note below |
| Dogs | Welcome (open valley and grazing stock — keep them under control) |
| Pushchair / family | No for a pushchair (rough path); a lovely, gentle spot for families on foot |
| Getting there | Stonethwaite village (very limited parking); or the Borrowdale bus to Stonethwaite lane-end |
| Best time | Warm, settled summer days for swimming; after rain the pools run fuller and faster |
| Above the valley | Eagle Crag and Ullscarf at the head of Stonethwaite |
Where is Galleny Force?
Galleny Force near Stonethwaite, in the Lake District. Zoom and pan to explore — or see every Lake District waterfall on one map.
The walk in
Reaching Galleny Force is part of the charm: from Stonethwaite, an easy, roughly one-mile walk follows the Cumbria Way up the valley beside the beck, through some of the loveliest low country in Borrowdale, to the pools. The path is gentle but rough and rocky in places, so it's on foot rather than by pushchair. It sits perfectly with a longer Borrowdale day — a valley round from Rosthwaite, or the climb onto the fells at the dalehead — and the beckside is a beautiful spot for a picnic whether or not you swim.
Wild swimming
Galleny Force is a genuine wild-swimming honeypot — a run of clear, green pools that are a joy on a warm day. But it's open, unmanaged fell water, so swim with real care: the pools are cold all year, even in summer, so get in slowly and watch for the gasp of cold-water shock; after rain the beck runs fast and higher, which changes the pools completely; and, above all, never jump or dive — depths shift, rocks lurk under the surface, and jumping into pools like these has caused serious injuries. Keep swims short, stay well within your ability, and take your litter home — this is a much-loved, fragile spot.
When to go
For swimming, pick a warm, settled summer day, ideally after a dry spell when the pools are calm and clear. For the falls themselves at their liveliest, after rain is best — though that's also when the water is coldest and fastest, so it's less suited to swimming. It's a quiet, out-of-the-way corner compared with the roadside honeypots, but it does draw swimmers on hot weekends; an early or midweek visit is the peaceful one.
The setting
This is classic Borrowdale: a flat-bottomed valley of walled meadows and beck, ringed by steep fellsides, with the crags of the dalehead rising ahead. Stonethwaite is one of the quietest and most beautiful of Lakeland hamlets, on the old packhorse and Cumbria Way routes through the hills. The pools of Galleny Force sit in this gentle, green world — a soft, sheltered contrast to the high ravine falls, and a reminder that not every waterfall is a thundering drop.
The name & its story
The formal name is Galleny Force, on Stonethwaite Beck; the nickname "the Fairy Glen" is a modern, affectionate one, earned by the clear pools and dappled, tree-shaded rock. It's worth saying plainly that this is not the famous Fairy Glen in Wales (near Betws-y-Coed) that dominates online searches — this is the quieter Borrowdale one. "Force" is, as ever, the Old Norse fors, a waterfall, and Stonethwaite itself is a Norse name — the "stony clearing" — a reminder of the Norse farmers who settled these dales.
Family, dogs & accessibility
It's a lovely, gentle family spot on foot — easy walking, safe pools to paddle at the edges, and a beautiful picnic beck — but the rough path means it's not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Keep a close eye on children near the water, especially after rain. Dogs are welcome, but this is working farmland and open fell, so keep them under close control around grazing stock. There are no facilities at the pools, so bring what you need and take everything home.
The fells above
At the head of Stonethwaite rise Eagle Crag, a bold little rock peak guarding the valley junction, and the long whaleback of Ullscarf beyond — wild, quiet fells that make Stonethwaite a fine base for a bigger day. Downstream, the gentle round of Rosthwaite and the Borrowdale valley floor is an easy classic.
Fells & walks near Galleny Force
- Great Crag (Stonethwaite)
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot
- Grange Fell (Brund Fell)
- Eagle Crag
- Castle Crag
- Sergeant's Crag
Straight-line distances from the centre of Galleny Force — the nearest summits with a full guide on this site.
All walks from Galleny Force → — every route and fell within about 5 km, ranked, with today’s conditions.
Getting there & parking
Galleny Force is reached from Stonethwaite, signed off the B5289 Borrowdale road south of Rosthwaite. Parking in the tiny hamlet is very limited — please park considerately and don't block lanes or gateways — so it's best reached by the Keswick–Borrowdale (78) bus to the Stonethwaite lane-end and a walk in, which also makes for a lovely car-free day.
Events & festivals
Planning a trip around a show or festival? See our Lake District events & festivals guide for what's on near Galleny Force — traditional Lakeland sports, agricultural shows and seasonal events, month by month.
Frequently asked questions about Galleny Force
Where do you park for Galleny Force, and how do you get there?
Galleny Force is reached from Stonethwaite, signed off the B5289 Borrowdale road south of Rosthwaite. Parking in the tiny hamlet is very limited, so please park considerately and don't block lanes or gateways — it's best reached by the Keswick–Borrowdale (78) bus to the Stonethwaite lane-end. From the village it's an easy walk of about a mile up the valley along the Cumbria Way to the pools.
Is Galleny Force the Fairy Glen? Is it the one in Wales?
Galleny Force is locally nicknamed "the Fairy Glen" for its clear, tree-shaded pools — but it is not the famous Fairy Glen in Wales (near Betws-y-Coed) that dominates online searches. This is the quieter Borrowdale one, on Stonethwaite Beck near the village of Stonethwaite.
Can you swim at Galleny Force?
Yes — it's one of Borrowdale's best-loved wild-swimming spots, a run of clear green pools that are a joy on a warm day. But it's open, unmanaged fell water: it's cold all year (watch for cold-water shock), it runs fast and higher after rain, and you should never jump or dive — depths change and rocks lurk below the surface. Keep swims short, stay within your ability, keep a close eye on children, and take your litter home.
📚 Maps & guidebooks for Galleny Force
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