HIGH FORCE, a waterfall at the boundary between Westmoreland and Durham: on the river Tees, 5 miles below its source, and 5 WNW of Middleton-in-Teesdale. The stream falls, in three leaps, over a precipice of 69 feet; and the picturesque character of the cascade is greatly heightened by the forms, tints, and foliage of the flanking rocks. A hotel, built by the Duke of Cleveland, stands ½ a mile distant; commands a fine view, across woods, to the waterfall; and is much frequented during the fishing and the shooting seasons.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))