Malham Cove by munki-boy
Malham Cove
Malham Cove is in The Yorkshire Dales National Park in England.
Malham Cove is a huge curving amphitheatre shaped cliff formation of limestone rock, just north of the village of Malham, in North Yorkshire.
Malham Cove was formed by a waterfall carrying meltwater from glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, more than 12,000 years ago. The water drop was 80 m (260 ft) high and more than 300 m (980 ft) wide. The colossal amount of water flowing over the waterfall created the curved shape of the cove as the lip is more heavily eroded than the sides. Today it is a well-known beauty spot within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A large area of deeply eroded limestone pavement, of a strange pattern rarely seen in England, is above Malham Cove.
There is complex system of caves and tunnels within the limestone cliff. The cave system is estimated to be about 50,000 years old.
The cave systems usually carry away any waters before they reach the drop but after heavy rainfall from Storm Desmond, on 6 December 2015, Malham Cove temporarily became a waterfall for what is believed to be the first time in centuries.
Malham Cove also protects a pair of nesting peregrine falcons which can be viewed during the summer months.
Created: 27 November 2016 Edited: 29 November 2023
Malham Tarn Estate Information
Malham Tarn Estate Address
Yorkshire Dales Estate Office, Pennine Way, Settle BD24 9PT, UK
BD24 9PT
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/malham-tarn-estate
Get directionsLocal History around Malham Cove
There are some historic monuments around including:
Settlement N of Stridebut EdgeSheriff Hill round cairnSettlement 1/3 mile (540m) NW of Langscar GateEnclosure and hut circles on Prior RakesSettlement sites on Jorden ScarBoundary dyke W of Capon HallPillow mounds east of Friars Head, known as Giants' GravesRound barrow 550m south west of Park HillFarm sites and field systems on Malham LingsHut circles, enclosures and fields N of Shorkley HillRound cairn on Broad FlatsLynchets N of Malham villageMedieval monastic wayside cross base, Water Sinks GateSeaty Hill round cairnRound cairn south east of Broad FlatsLower Colgarth Hill round cairnTwo rectangular house sites on Malham LingsMedieval monastic wayside cross baseMedieval settlements and lynchets extending NW from Town HeadNucleated coal mine and coke oven on Fountains FellCairn on Great Close HillEnclosed prehistoric settlement east of Malham CoveHut circle on Comb ScarField system S of Malham CoveLime kiln and associated quarry 75m south of High Scarth BarnRound barrow 400m south west of Crane Field LaitheRoman temporary camp and medieval monastic cross base, Mastiles Lane.Settlement on Blue ScarMedieval monastic wayside cross baseSettlement 1250yds (1140m) NE of Malham Tarn HouseSettlement on Cow Bank 1/4 mile (400m) NW of DarnbrookEnclosure E of Malham LingsSettlement at Dew BottomsCrane Field round barrowCup marked rock in wall east of Scarnber Wood, 500m north east of Bark Laithe, WinterburnCairn 80m north of Pikedaw HillFarmhouse sites on Highfolds ScarCairn on Blue Scar 460m NW of Springs CaveSettlement on Prior RakesSettlement on Ing ScarPikedaw Hill southern cairnSettlement 500ft (150m) NW of Ing Scar CragRound barrow north of Moor Syke, Crane FieldRing cairn north west of Ewe Moor.
