We spent our first two weeks in the north of England and our second two weeks in the south. I'll write about that in the weeks to come. Taking this trip to celebrate our Golden Anniversary was a dream come true. Today I'd like to take you to Malham Tarn. Did you know a tarn is a glacial lake? Malham Tarn is an area in the Yorkshire Dales that provides the most amazing views! This is the area that inspires all that come to visit.
The drive through the Dales is so lovely and pastoral. Farms, rock walls, and beautiful cattle grazing.
The narrow lanes wind all around the farms as we go higher and higher in elevation. Thankfully, there are few or no other cars, just the occasional farm vehicle.
Malham Tarn is at the elevation of 375 meters--1230 feet above sea level. It is England's highest marl lake. A marl lake is one that has high concentrations of calcium carbonate or lime. The scenery is beginning to fill with fog in an eerie way.
At every twist and turn we viewed cattle staring back at us.
We finally reach our destination and speak with a lovely woman who guided us to the tarn. This area is walker's paradise with many, many paths that take you along from one beautiful spot to another. We wanted to see the glacial tarn so off we go to view the area that has inspired many.
The air is quite chilly at this elevation. As the wind begins to whip around us, we realize we are in for a cold walk to the tarn. We failed to remember with the change in elevation there would be a drastic change in temperature!
It didn't matter to us as we came to visit the tarn that is home to ancient and rare water plants (stoneworts). Unusual fish make their home here as well. Malham Tarn is home to the flightless caddis fly. The only place in the UK where it breeds. There are many different bird species that occupy this area as well. I must say that they were all hiding on our cold visit in late September.
Malham Tarn National Reserve has been managed in partnership with Natural England since 1992. It encompasses the area around the tarn.
It was such a cold day when we visited, I'm sure on a warm sunny day this would be a lovely spot to linger.
As we drive out of the car park, I can't help but stop and admire the sheep that dot the dales.
The belted cattle grazing along the pastures doted our ride throughout the Yorkshire Dales.
Highland cattle stared at us as we made our way along the narrow lanes.
On my next post I want to take you with us as we travel to Studley Royal Water Garden and Fountain's Abbey. It is our last stop in the Yorkshire Dales and is not to be missed. Be sure to wear your walking shoes! ♥
On my next post I want to take you with us as we travel to Studley Royal Water Garden and Fountain's Abbey. It is our last stop in the Yorkshire Dales and is not to be missed. Be sure to wear your walking shoes! ♥
