Malham Tarn Estate facts for kids

The Malham Tarn Estate is a special place in North Yorkshire, England. It is looked after by the National Trust, a charity that protects important places. This estate is a fantastic example of nature and history coming together.

Grassy areas and trees in the Malham Tarn Nature Reserve

Exploring Malham Tarn Estate

The Malham Tarn Estate is found in the Pennines, a famous range of hills in northern England. It sits between two beautiful valleys called Wharfedale and Ribblesdale. The estate is very large, covering about 2,900 hectares (that's like 7,166 football fields!). About 65 hectares of this land are covered in trees.

Most of the land on the estate is used for farming. Six different farms operate here, raising cows and sheep. They use the land through special agreements with the National Trust.

Malham Tarn: A Special Lake

A part of the Nature Reserve by the edge of Malham Tarn

At the heart of the estate is Malham Tarn. This lake is a glacial lake, meaning it was formed by huge sheets of ice (glaciers) thousands of years ago. It's just outside the village of Malham.

The lake and the wet areas around it are very important for wildlife. Because of this, they were made a National Nature Reserve in 1992. This means the area is protected to help nature thrive.

In 1993, Malham Tarn was also named a "wetland of international importance" under something called the Ramsar Convention. This is a global agreement to protect wetlands because they are so vital for many plants and animals.

Wildlife in the Tarn

Malham Tarn is home to different kinds of fish. You can find perch and brown trout swimming in its waters. If you enjoy fishing, you can even try fly fishing for trout here. You just need to get a daily pass to do so.

The Malham Tarn Estate is a wonderful place to visit. It shows how we can protect nature while also allowing farming to continue. It's a great spot to learn about geology, wildlife, and how special natural places are cared for.