The 140 foot plunge of Taylor Gill Force nestles in a ravine on the lower slopes of Base Brown. You can see it from the path from Seathwaite to Styhead Tarn - one of the most common routes to Scafell Pike - but to get a proper look, you need to take the parallel path on the northern side of the infant River Derwent.
This path also finds a way to Styhead Tarn, although that was far beyond my objective for this particular wander. Wainwright wrote in his chapter on Base Brown that “Walkers are again reminded that the spectacular (but rough) track through Taylor Gill is a far better way to Sty Head than that in common use via Stockley Bridge”. This may well be the case on a long midsummer day. Alas, I set out on an overcast Saturday in mid-October, although the rain that almost comes as a given in Seathwaite was mercifully absent.
Beyond the obvious viewing spot from the falls, this path to Styhead Tarn becomes a real challenge, with exposed sections through Taylor Gill and an abundance of clambering. I’m not tackling that today, though. For an out-and-back to view the waterfall, though, in summer the short hop from Seathwaite would be a delight. It isn’t far - around a mile each way from Seathwaite with an extra mile each way along the valley road if (like me) you arrive on the 78 bus to Seatoller. Moreover, the gradient is mild and with the exception of a short clamber right at the end, there are no technical difficulties.
In October, I found it a different proposition. It’s not boggy - it’s just very wet. Completely sodden, in fact. The water streams from the southern slopes of Base Brown at regular intervals, and for much of the walk the path and the streams merge into one. What should be a mild and straightforward path turned into a mile of constant hopping from slippery stepping stone to slippery stepping stone. Perhaps in wellingtons I could have simply stomped right through, but having chosen my (waterproof) approach shoes for what should have been a very mild walk, I felt one step away from a broken ankle or torn hamstring for most of the walk there - and most of the walk back.
Not that it isn’t worth the effort. The falls are beautiful and spectacular - especially after heavy autumn rainfall. That being said, I think I’ll save any repeat for the summer months - and I’d advise the same to you!
Just as an aside, I have noticed Sour Milk Gill above Seathwaite is often mistaken for the less accessible Taylor Gill Force, and that a fair chunk of Google search results for “Taylor Gill Force” reflect this. I did take a couple of snaps of Sour Milk Gill but I have chosen not to include them for this reason.