Janet's Foss is a popular waterfall and beauty spot on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Local stories say that a faerie queen named Janet (or Jennet) lived in a small cave behind the waterfall.
Janet's Foss is formed as Gordale Beck falls down over an area of limestone tufa, to a broad pool below. Moss growing on the edge of the falls has gradually been covered in limestone deposits, creating a wide lip over which the water flows.
Just opposite the falls is a small cave thought to have been inhabited by copper miners working at the nearby Pikedaw mines. The pool at the foot of the Foss was used by local sheep farmers to wash their flocks, an event with a bit of a carnival air, known as 'sheep dipping'.
The word 'foss', or its alternative, 'force', is from the old Norse for a waterfall, and is often used for waterfalls in the Yorkshire area.
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About Janet's Foss
Address: Gordale Lane,
Malham,
Yorkshire Dales,
Yorkshire,
England, BD23 4DA
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Location: Park in a layby signposted for Gordale Scar. The path to Janet's Foss is on the opposite side of the road.
Location
map
OS: SD911633
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
HERITAGE
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NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Gordale Scar - 0.5 miles (Countryside) 
Malham Cove - 0.9 miles (Countryside) 
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Catrigg Force Waterfall - 5.5 miles (Countryside)
Skipton Castle - 8.4 miles (Castle) 
Barden Tower - 9.4 miles (Castle) 
Barden Bridge - 9.5 miles (Historic Building)
Bracewell, St Michael's Church - 9.7 miles (Historic Church)
