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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Haile Sand Fort, mouth for the River Humber off Humberston, Cleethorpes

Humberston

in the county of Lincolnshire

Reflections over water

Bath

a Historic City in the county of Somerset

Pictures of Malham

in the county of North Yorkshire

About Malham

High on the moors and dales of Yorshire, lies the wild and desolate place of Malham, an ancient place with a history deeply rooted in the Middle Ages when the track called Mastiles Lane was trod by Holy Men who marked out the route with crosses. Evidence of this is borne out by the finding of the remains of some of the bases to the crosses. Much later, in the 18th and early 19th-century, it was to be lead that was transported along this lonely and forebidding way.

There is a stark contrast between the gentle, lush and rolling countryside of nearby Skipton to that of the high, airy ground of Mallam Moor where in winter the blast of icy wind strikes as sharply as any dagger into the flesh. The wind in these parts is of a strength know to have made the hardiest of men weep.

Malham is a magnet for tourists to the Dales, many of whom come to scale the awesome height of Malham Cove. They come also to visit Malham Tarn, a natural lake standing nearly 400ft above sea level. The old path trod by the Monks drops down from Mallam Tarn into Gordale Beck, from here it twists back up to the moorland and crosses the valley beneath Kealcup Hill. The torcherous route continues amid spectacular scenery and crosses Kilnsey Moor from High Long Ridge before the descent, passing Kilnsey Crag, into Kilnsey itself.

The farms scattered across the moors are often of an indeterminable age, it is known that over the centuries they were inhabited by Norsemen, monks and dalesmen. Cattle was central to the livelihood of the villagers and during the 18th-century cattle fairs, with a turnover of some 5,000 cattle, mostly from Scotland, were held at Great Close, near to Mallam Tarn. There could not have been a more spectacular site for any cattle sale anywhere.

With crystal clear air, magnificent scenery, and a solitude that city dwellers can only dream of, it is little wonder that this ancient moorland village receives visitors from the world over. With its beautiful old buildings and old stone arched bridges than span rippling streams, this is indeed the stuff that Picture Postcard villages are made of.

Close to Mallam is Kilnsey Park and Trout Farm, Stump Cross Caverns are but a short distance away and a stones throw from Burnsall are the gardens of Parcevall Hall.

Recommended towns & villages near Malham

Limestone scenery above Settle, Yorkshire Dales

Settle (35 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction W of Malham)

A wonderful market town in the Yorkshire Dales. Settle is the starting point for the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway; one of Britain's most spectacular and scenic railways which.....

Grassington, North Yorkshire

Grassington (52 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E of Malham)

This is Upper Wharfdale's principle village. It is a place of quiet charm with a lovely old bridge spanning the River Wharfe and cobbled lanes with pretty stone cottages descending towards the attractive village square...

Kettlewell in Upper Wharfedale

Kettlewell (49 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of North Yorkshire

(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NE of Malham)

The spectacular limestone beauty of Kettlewell has been appreciated by travellers for decades. It has a series of delightful cottages clustered around the little Cam Beck, a tributary of the River Wharfe as it plunges from Great Whernside...

Skipton Castle

Skipton (170 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction SE of Malham)

Long considered "The Gateway to the Dales" which lye to the north, moors extend southwards, and the tranquil countryside of the Ribble Valley is to the west...

Bolton Priory

Bolton Abbey (135 Pictures) in the county of North Yorkshire

(12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction SE of Malham)

The Bolton Abbey Estate covers 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales.There are medieval buildings to explore and 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths...

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Nearby attractions..

Janet's Foss. Malham, North Yorkshire

Janet's Foss (6 Pictures)

(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)

A small picturesque waterfall near the village of Malham and Malham Cove, North Yorkshire. Janet refers to a Fairy Queen who is.....

Malham Views

Malham Cove (30 Pictures)

(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)

A natural limestone formation which is a national beauty spot, near Malham, North Yorkshire..

Gordale Scar,  Malham Cove

Gordale Scar (8 Pictures)

(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction NE)

Painted by James Ward, written about by Wordsworth in a sonnet, this dramatic limestone ravine is an essential visit when in the.....

Malham Tarn, North Yorkshire

Malham Tarn & Moor (4 Pictures)

(2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction N)

Malham Tarn is a lake in the Yorkshire Dales National Park which inspired English novelist Charles Kingsley to write the classic.....

Garsdale Station on the Settle Carlisle Railway, located high in the Yorksire Dales National Park

Settle Carlisle Railway (9 Pictures)

(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction W)

This spectacular train journey could easily be the most scenic train trip in the whole of the UK. The route is part of National.....

Skipton Castle, North Yorkshire

Skipton Castle (52 Pictures)

(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SE)

Apart from it's historic church, Skipton Castle is the town's premier attraction. This is located where the High Street fans out.....

Littondale

Yorkshire Dales National Park (266 Pictures)

(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction N)

The unyielding screach of a curlew from the skies above, is often the only sound heard in the far upland reaches of the lonely.....


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