Sometimes nature really pulls out all of the stops, and a magnificent waterfall has got to be up there with some of my favourite natural spectacles. And what could make it even better? When that waterfall is a secret, only possible to be visited with specific landowner permission and the help of a knowledgeable and experienced guide.

In a quiet corner of the West Pennine Moors sits just such a place – Lancashire’s secret waterfall. After gaining permission to visit from landowner, United Utilities, I was led on a journey of discovery by Reserves Officer, John Haddon, and accompanied by our new Lancashire Wildlife Trust Ambassador, Simon Owen, Managing Director of Standby Productions.

Reaching the waterfall itself we first journeyed through a wild and largely unexplored landscape. Once part of a private garden including boating lakes and terraced pathways, the area is now reserved for wildlife, with management of invasive species such as the thick swathes of rhododendron being some of the only signs of human interaction.

Where a tree had fallen, we scrambled over it. Where the ground sloped steeply down into the stream, we slid down it. Muddy trousers, bruised knees and wet boots were all part of the experience of reaching this extraordinary place.

And what a special place it was. As we made our way upstream we could hear the waterfall before we saw it. Partially hidden at first by a moss covered fallen tree, the waterfall tumbles down around 10m down over jagged rocks. Clambering though the fallen branches finally provided my first unobscured sight of the waterfall. A deep breath in was exhaled as ‘wow’, followed by sharing a giddy grin with my companions at the sheer wonder of the place.

Being a true nature reserve, meaning that there is no public access, only served to make the experience more special. As much as providing access to nature is one of our founding principles, in some cases keeping places truly wild is by far the best option, allowing nature to do what it does best.