We decided yesterday to head out of town. At the beginning of the year J had booked the day off as holiday, and even though it was bad luck that he was unwell he said he still felt like getting out. He declared a need for fresh air, gentle exercise and a good dose of Scenery. He had obviously been pondering on it as he knew exactly where he wanted to go, and who was I to argue? Anywhere in the Dales is fine by me. Take me where you will.
We drove out to a beautiful village called Malham. In summertime, this quiet little village gets pretty mobbed by visitors, and it can get quite busy along this sweet main street when the sun shines and the holiday season is in full swing. But in the depths of a wintry week, all was tranquil and peaceful yesterday. In fact, I think Winter is my favourite time of year to be here, I remember walking here before at this time of year.
We parked the car in the village and walked the half mile or so up the road to the start of this track which leads to The Cove. As you can see this is a very toddler/pushchair friendly stroll and although we took the pushchair with us, Little B managed to walk the whole way there and back.
The track starts out quite high above the beck, but soon descends down to water level.
The beck here is newly surfaced, by that I mean it literally springs out of the hillside not far from this point. The water is remarkably clear and pristine looking, makes you want to kind of stick your head in it and drink till you're full.
We're following the little beck towards Malham Cove, there it is look. Magnificent, isn't it? It's one huge, great, big, incredible, ancient Marvel of Nature.
The whole landscape around The Cove is slightly strange, sort of barren but lush at the same time.
The mossy covered rocks and walls looks incredibly vibrant in the dim light of February, especially contrasting with the cool grey of the limestone all around.
We've reached the end of the Toddler-friendly path, and beyond this gate it becomes very rocky and wet. You kind of start walking in river beyond the gate. So I left my boys at this point and ventured in alone. I wanted to get a little closer to The Cove itself (or "The Waaaallllllll" as Little B called it). A very big Wall, well yes, I suppose it is just that.
I've got walking boots on, so I'm kind of half paddling and half rock-hopping my way through the shallow beck.
WoW. It really is the most incredible, incredible place to stand and stare. You look up. You look down. You look all around. And all you see is ancient limestone. You are towered over by it, surrounded by it. Do you see the man in the above picture? See how weeny he looks?
Standing near The Cove makes me feel like a little Dot. But I also feel very energised, it really is breathtaking.
Wow. I turn around and head back to the gate, Little B looking all anxious, then a big beaming smile when he sees me. He's tells me in his sweet way that he's been worrying about me in case I slipped on the rocks. Bless.
We walk slowly back along the track, then back down the lane to the village.
We pass picturesque houses and a campsite and a cafe and a farm. Little B is enchanted by the sight of these cows, he makes lots of talk and chatter to them. He can't seem to say Mooo, so he says "Hi" instead.
Ahhh such mossy delight in Malham! Moss seems to be everywhere, creeping beautifully over the landscape, adding green to the grey.
I really like Malham, the village has a wonderful, sleepy, quiet, contented feel to it. You feel as if time is standing still a little here. It feels ancient. I always come away from Malham feeling like I must return again very, very soon. Springtime I think would be good.
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Edit to add :: ooooooo yes, I had forgotten that the BBC is currently running a series called "The Great British Countryside" which featured Yorkshire in episode two.....at the moment there is an iPlayer clip where they show you Malham Cove, both from the bottom where I was, and at the top on the amazing limestone pavement where they filmed a Harry Potter scene.
The link to the BBC iPlayer clip is HERE, available until 15th March ( I hope the link works!)
Hello Lucy....I don't often comment but your blog is so inspirational for me on so many fronts. I've always wanted to visit England but alas it hasn't happened. When I read about life in your town and see the clear and beautiful photos you take, I can picture myself there with you, walking along the towpath, or into town to look at the beautiful flowers for sale, or to have a cuppa and a danish. :)
May God bless you and yours for sharing this little piece of heaven with the rest of us.
Posted by: Laura | February 29, 2012 at 06:53 PM
What a truly beautiful place. x
Posted by: Victoria | February 29, 2012 at 06:07 PM
Your blog always makes me want to hotfoot it to Yorkshire, it's been a while...
Posted by: Rachel | February 29, 2012 at 05:37 PM
I absolutely love your blog you have inspired me in my crochet and also to start my own blog. Thank you!!
Posted by: Claire | February 29, 2012 at 04:27 PM
Lovely pictures. I think I say the cove on Coutryfile last sunday! We don't have these wonderfull vieuws in Holland
Posted by: Anny | February 29, 2012 at 04:02 PM
Lovely! A prime geography field trip location too!!!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | February 29, 2012 at 03:54 PM
I remember Malham from when we stayed about 10 years a go just outside Skipton. It's a HUGE need of mine to go back and show my fiancee the Yorkshire Dales!
Posted by: Christine | February 29, 2012 at 03:44 PM
lucy these photographs are wonderful!
i so enjoy your outdoorsy posts and feel that moss and limestone and pillar box red (of course) are my favourite colours today :)
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sumea
Posted by: sumea | February 29, 2012 at 03:44 PM
Such magnificent country. It reminds me of the first time I read The Hobbit, my mind would take me to places just like this.
Thank you for sharing such beauty with us here in the US.
Carla
Posted by: Carla | February 29, 2012 at 03:36 PM
wow!!! I was speechless looking at the pictures. You must totally love being surrounded by such beauty. The moss is so gorgeous. I recently splurged on some yarn similar in color because it reminded of moss. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: mia | February 29, 2012 at 03:26 PM
ahhhhhhhh thank you :o) I'm originally from Yorkshire and went to the Dales a lot as a child (I love your photos of Bolton Abbey) but I did a lot of walking around Malham too, as a child and also in my teens as part of Duke of Edinburgh walks and practise walks, staying at the Youth Hostel there. It is SO good to see your photos. I'm taking the boys (3y and 10m) up to mum and dad's in a few weeks, as it is so buggy friendly these days maybe we'll go up there if it's nice.
Thanks again, I now have a Big Smile and a wee tear in my eye from the memories xx
Posted by: Liz | February 29, 2012 at 02:46 PM
I really enjoyed this trip of yours as if I walked there myself. I so miss the British countryside!AriadnefromGreece!
Posted by: Ariadne | February 29, 2012 at 02:18 PM
Sounds like a wonderful day! Hope there was also coffee and cake involved!!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | February 29, 2012 at 02:04 PM
I love Malham Cove, both the top and the bottom.My son always described the top as like walking on the moon
Posted by: kim | February 29, 2012 at 02:01 PM
How breathtaking! There's nothing quite like the expanse of nature to put things in perspective and refresh our senses is there.
Posted by: Lily | February 29, 2012 at 01:53 PM
Ooh, I've always wanted to visit since I saw the place on telly once, thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: idiosyncratic eye | February 29, 2012 at 01:37 PM
Wow how lucky you are living in such a great country, you just have to get your car and travel to so many lovely places, thanks so much for sharing your travels with us.
Posted by: gelesan | February 29, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Oh Lucy, you have transported me to my MA Uni days in York when I became the proud owner of a car and boyfriend who knew his way around many lovely places in the Dales. Malham, which had escaped my memory, (goodness, we are talking 20 years ago) was a beautiful spot to behold and a lovely day out. Thanks for bringing it all back!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 29, 2012 at 12:57 PM
WOW!GORGEOUS!Would love to see it in person.Thank you for taking us along.I can only image how HUGE is must be to L.B.and to see that smile when you came into view. :)Love the moss and the rock bridge,I need one of those!We have a creek running thru our place.Looks like a few snowdrops there in front of the cows too.Your corner of the world is magical,thanks again for sharing,Have a good one!Think I'll do a lit' hooky now and dream of England.:)
Posted by: angela-southern USA | February 29, 2012 at 12:27 PM
What a beautiful place to visit. Love the photos.
Posted by: Ana | February 29, 2012 at 11:43 AM
I was just thinking i saw this beautiful place on the TV last week! I'm not surprised it is popular with visitors in the summer months, its gorgeous.
Hope J is feeling much better
Posted by: Julie | February 29, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Stunning scenery! Great photo's Lucy. Thanks for sharing. Gwen x
Posted by: Gwen | February 29, 2012 at 11:04 AM
WOW! That's all I can say :)
Posted by: Sigrún | February 29, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Oh bummer - I just went to the BBC page and TV programmes are available to play in the UK only :( See, I'll really have to go and see for myself then ;-)
Posted by: Nanita | February 29, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Thanks, Lucy. Malham Cove is one of my favourite places in the UK. I'm sitting here with a horrible head cold and your lovely pics really cheered me up. There's something about the Dales that draws me there too.
Posted by: Sarah | February 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM