Malham Cove

Malham Cove is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, situated just to the north of the village of Malham in North Yorkshire. This dramatic, curving limestone cliff forms a vast natural amphitheatre, rising approximately 80 metres (260 feet) high and stretching over 300 metres (980 feet) wide. Its striking appearance and geological significance make it one of the most visited and photographed features in the Dales.

The formation of Malham Cove dates back to the end of the last Ice Age, over 12,000 years ago. At that time, a powerful waterfall carried meltwater from retreating glaciers, cascading over the cliff edge and carving out the distinctive curve that defines the cove today. The immense volume and force of the water eroded the central lip of the cliff more deeply than the sides, creating the amphitheatre-like shape seen today. Though the waterfall has long since dried up, the natural spectacle it left behind remains a lasting reminder of the glacial past that shaped much of the Yorkshire Dales.

Above the cove lies a striking expanse of limestone pavement, one of the most impressive of its kind in Britain. This distinctive feature, with its clints (blocks) and grikes (fissures), has been weathered over millennia into a surreal, almost alien pattern. It is not only a geological wonder but also a fragile ecological habitat, supporting rare species of plants that thrive in the sheltered crevices.

Beneath the surface, Malham Cove conceals a complex and ancient system of caves and tunnels, believed to be around 50,000 years old. These subterranean passages form part of a wider network of limestone cave systems that are typical of karst landscapes. Under normal conditions, these caves carry away rainwater before it reaches the face of the cove, but after exceptional rainfall—such as during Storm Desmond on 6 December 2015—the cove briefly came back to life as a waterfall, believed to be for the first time in centuries. The rare event drew national attention and highlighted the hidden power of the landscape.

Malham Cove is also an important site for wildlife, notably serving as a nesting ground for peregrine falcons. These birds of prey, among the fastest in the world, can often be seen soaring above the cliffs during the summer months. Viewing platforms are set up seasonally to allow visitors to observe them without disturbing their habitat, adding to the cove’s appeal as both a geological and ecological treasure.