What to look for
- 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 at Tarn House. The site was the inspiration for Charles Kingsley’s 1863 novel, The Water-Babies.
- The Pennine Way is a long distance footpath along the ‘backbone of England’ – the Pennine Mountains. It is 268 miles long and goes all the way from Edale in Derbyshire up to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.
- Just before you reach the car park in front of Tarn House there is a cage to your left which houses one of our rarest plants, the Lady’s Slipper Orchid. There is only one location in Yorkshire where this plant grows wild. A number of plants have been grown in locations to try and increase the population and this is one of them.
- The Orchid House has recently been restored by the National Trust and now houses an exhibition.
- If you extend your walk take a stop at the bird hide, signposted off to your left on the track. There is information here about some of the birds and waterfowl you can see in the area and you could stop and see what you could spot.