Malham Cove

A few friends and I, four of us, thought maybe it was time to explore a little of Malham Cove. A lovely drive over from Wensleydale down the B6160, turning off at Cracoe and going through Hetton, on to Airton and then eventually into Malham. Plenty of parking available, we went in the National Park car park. From there just follow the sign to the cover, walk up the hill on the road out of the village and turn off into the fields on the footpath, about a mile or so along a well made up path. Soon we were walking by the side of a pretty stream, we could see people walking up steep steps to the left of the cove. One person was stood right on the edge, not for me, I’m sorry! What a magnificent sight it is though, this ancient rock has stood there for millions of years, seeing and hearing all. One in our party had come years ago and wanted to walk to the face to see if the source of stream was as it was, she came back full of smiles saying it was just as she remembered it. Look out for Peregrine falcons, which have been nesting here since 1993. The RSPB and Yorkshire Dales National Park run a viewpoint from where you can watch the birds.

12, 000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, the water came over the top of the cove, what a spectacle that would be, but no longer. The water now disappears underground before it reaches the cliff edge and comes out right at the bottom of the cliff face leaving the rock look exposed and perhaps vulnerable. I wasn’t quite sure what I felt, sadness, disturbed, apprehensive…… Then it was back the way we came and of course to find lunch which we found in the first little café on the left coming down the hill. Walk through a pretty garden, by the stream from the cove, into a beautiful place. We were greeted and shown to our table and soon our food arrived, just so delicious. Well worth seeking out.

Our way home was back along the Cove Road, a single track road which takes you via Arncliffe, in Litton Dale, and eventually returning to the B6160. Arncliffe was used as the filming location for Emmerdale from the first episode on 16th October 1972, and for the next three and a half years, but in the autumn of 1975, the decision was made by the shows production team to choose a village much closer to the Yorkshire TV studios in Leeds. The Cove Road is a terrific journey, take it steady, lots of passing places, you even get a glimpse of Malham Tarn and the views are just amazing, well worth travelling that way.

There are lots walks from Malham to enjoy, get the map out and explore! All our cottages are well within travelling distance to Malham, have a look on our Country Hideaways website for ideas. Call me, Nadine, or my daughter Joanne, on 01969 663559 to book over the telephone and for friendly help and advice or of course, do book online if you prefer.

See you very soon!