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Malham
is the centre of England's impressive inland scenery.
A giant amphitheatre of sheer limestone, and a gorge
with an overhanging rock some 30 metres high. Malham
Cove is a huge natural limestone cliff which was once
the scene of a spectacular prehistoric waterfall.
The valley above the cove is now dry, with the river
having found alternative routes through an undiscovered
cave system deep underground. However, at the foot
of the cliff, a small stream called Malham Beck rises
from a submerged cavern, which is still being explored
by cave divers.
Malham is a small dales village north of Skipton
and Gargrave in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National
Park. Besides being the inspiration for Charles Kingsley's
classic children's novel, The Water Babies, the area
around Malham is perhaps most famous for some of the
finest (and most spectacular) limestone scenery in
the country.
Malham village itself lies in a broad valley called
Malhamdale, which further downstream becomes known
as Airedale. The huge precipice of Malham Cove dominates
the scenery as seen to the north of the village, where
the Craven fault marks a clear geological boundary
between the gentle pastoral valley and the limestone
uplands above. The Pennine Way also passes through
Malham, and the village is a great destination for
climbers, cavers, walkers and tourists alike, offering
tea rooms, two pubs and cafes to visit after a day
exploring the sights. There is also a car park and
National Park Information Centre, with displays about
the geology and natural history of the area.
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