A picturesque waterfall downstream of Gordale Scar near Malham, Janet's Foss is where Gordale Beck cascades over a tufa capped limestone outcrop into a deep pool in a wooded limestone gorge. On the far bank is Janet's Cave, a dark hole which actually leads nowhere.
Janet was the "Queen of the Fairies", and "Foss" is a nordic word for waterfall, this being a magical place where fairies are said to exist.
From Janet's Foss, Gordale Beck flows through woods and then open fields before meeting up with Malham Beck, just south of the village. Further downstream, this tributary meets the stream issuing from Aire Head Springs (actually the infant River Aire) on its journey down towards Skipton.
For more information about Janet's Foss and other stuff about fairies in Yorkshire and beyond, then please visit the following externally maintained websites (listed in approximate alphabetical order):
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