Malham campsites

Malham is one of the most spectacular and most popular villages in the Dales. With dramatic limestone scenery just a stone's throw from the village centre, Malham has few equals anywhere in the UK.

Grab your camera and wander through the village, you’ll be stopping at the turn of every corner at the charming views of beautiful stone cottages, drystone walls and bridges over the stream.

A gentle stroll of about half an hour from the village will bring you to Malham Cove. The cove is a massive natural limestone crescent-shaped cliff visible for miles. A stiff climb up the steps beside it brings you to a remarkable area of limestone pavement that has featured in many movies, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The vertical face of the cliff is about 260 feet high.

Next up is Gordale Scar, a spectacular gorge, complete with waterfalls, cut right into the limestone hillside. The gorge was produced by water from melting glaciers sometime over the last three million years. Gordale Scar is one of the highlights of a visit to Malham, for centuries it was rightly regarded as one of the natural wonders of England.

Close by you’ll find Janet's Foss, a lovely waterfall said to be home to Janet, Queen of the Fairies. The lime-rich water has deposited a screen of spongy moss-covered tufa underneath the waterfall which adds to the pretty effect of the scene. The surrounding woodland is alive with bird song and the spring carpets of bluebells and wood garlic are a delight.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar are easily linked into a circular walk, The Malham Cove Walk, which also takes you past the pretty waterfall of Janet's Foss.

A popular Dales beauty spot set amid rolling hills and rugged moorland is Malham Tarn. This outstanding area of limestone pavements, upland hill farms and flower-rich hay meadows provides a marvellous setting for walking, cycling or just enjoying the great outdoors. Malham Tarn National Nature Reserve is a beautiful place to visit, especially during the summer when the flowers and dragonflies are in abundance. There is something for everyone here, and it changes throughout the seasons so one visit is never enough.

Not to be missed is the Town Head Barn, a Yorkshire barn which has been preserved as a small exhibition area. It’s one that you’ll walk past on the Malham Cove Walk.

Maybe you fancy having a go at being a blacksmith for the day, well you can at Malham Smithy. The workshop of female blacksmith Annabelle Bradley, where she designs and hand forges sculptural and functional wrought ironwork.

The surrounding villages of Skipton and Settle offer castles, abbeys, walking tours and pleasant scenery around every corner.