What to look for

  1. Malham Tarn is a glacial lake and at 377 metres it is the highest lake in England, and one of only eight upland alkaline lakes in Europe. Its geology, flora and fauna have led to it being listed under a number of conservation designations. The site is currently owned by the National Trust, who lease part of the site to the Field Studies Council who offer residential and non-residential field courses there. The site was the inspiration for Charles Kingsley’s 1863 novel, The Water-Babies.
  2. Tarn Moss is an area of raised bog and fen which has developed at the mouth of the streams feeding the Tarn from Fountains Fell. It is home to a unique community of rare plants. Look for insect eating sundew, ragged robin, globe flowers, bog bean, marsh orchids, marsh cinquefoil. Pollen samples show evidence that this was oak and pine forest before the last Ice Age.