Startforth is a village on the Pennines end of south Teesdale, England.

Along with the rest of the former Startforth Rural District, it was transferred to County Durham for administrative and ceremonial purposes on 1 April 1974, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.

It is situated south-west of Barnard Castle, north of the River Tees.

The name means 'street-ford', and refers to the paved ford by which the Roman road which passes through the village crosses the River Tees.

The paved ford is still visible in the bed of the river when the water is low.