Major city · United Kingdom
Malham
Go for one full day of walking (Cove, limestone pavement, Gordale Scar, Janet's Foss) and sleep one night in the village if you want an early start.
Malham is a village of about 200 people in the Yorkshire Dales, built around one of England's best short walks: Malham Cove, the limestone pavement above it, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss all sit within a 4-6 km loop from the village. There is no station and no show cave; you come by bus or car, walk, eat, and leave. One night is enough, two if you add Malham Tarn and the Pennine Way.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- Apr-Jun, Sep
- avoid Dec-Feb (short days, wet limestone), bank-holiday weekends (car park fills by mid-morning)
- Airports
- LBA · MAN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Malham999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Malham, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are wet limestone, cliff edges, deep grikes, fast-changing weather and no phone signal on O2, Three or Vodafone.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance, mountain rescue · 111 NHS non-urgent advice · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLBA Leeds Bradford (Nearest large airport; about 1 h 15 min by road to Skipton, then bus or taxi).
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealPub main course£13-20 (≈ US$18–30)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50-6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Metro or bus rideBus Skipton to Malham, single£3-4 (≈ US$4–6)
- Budget bedHostel bunk (YHA Malham, Apr-Oct), a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
- High-end bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£200 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LBA Leeds Bradford (Nearest large airport; about 1 h 15 min by road to Skipton, then bus or taxi) · MAN Manchester (About 2 h by road; train to Skipton via Leeds, then bus 210/211)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Apr (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Malham: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
16 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. The village to Malham Cove is about 1.2 km on a good track; the full Cove - limestone pavement - Gordale Scar - Janet's Foss loop is roughly 6 km and takes 2.5-3.5 h with stops. Roads out of the village are narrow lanes with no pavement in places.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Bus 210/211 from the Buck Inn, about 40 min via Gargrave and Kirkby Malham
Market town with a castle and the Leeds-Liverpool canal; the practical transport hub for this area.
Gargrave
goDoor to door: 20 min by bus
Same bus route, or walk the 6 miles south on the Pennine Way
Where the Pennine Way drops to the lowlands; canal locks and a station on the Leeds-Skipton line.
Grassington
cautionDoor to door: 1-1.5 h
Car or taxi; no direct bus, route via Skipton
Another Dales village in the next valley east; worth it only with your own transport.
Door to door: 2.5-3 h
Bus or taxi to Skipton, train to Leeds, train to York
Too far for a comfortable return day from Malham; sleep there instead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Malham village centre
Pubs with rooms, B&Bs and the hostel, all within a 5-10 min walk of the Cove path. Book ahead: beds are few and weekends sell out.
Kirkby Malham
About 1.5 km (0.9 mi) south, quieter, one pub with rooms; still walkable to the Cove.About 0.9 mi (1.5 km) south, quieter, one pub with rooms; still walkable to the Cove.
Airton, Bell Busk and Gargrave
Cheaper or larger choice along the A65 corridor; you need a car or a bus to reach the village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45-70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70-110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or B&B double room1 × 1 night × £150 | £150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Bus Skipton to Malham, both ways2 × £8 | £16 |
| Chapel Gate car park, one day1 × £6 | £6 |
| Pub main course and a drink2 × £22 | £44 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £41 |
| Trip total≈ £224 per person per day, bed included | £447≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Malham excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tea and cake in a village tea room | £6-10 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Pub main course | £13-20 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50-6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Hostel bunk, one night | £25-40 (≈ US$35–55) |
| Pub or B&B double room, one night | £120-200 (≈ US$160–300) |
| Bus Skipton to Malham, single | £3-4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| OS map (Landranger 98 or OL 10) | £9-13 (≈ US$12–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limestone pavement and cliff edges are slippery when wet; grikes are deep enough to break an ankle.
- No mobile signal from O2, Three or Vodafone in the village and on approach roads; EE has 4G (as of Sep 2025). Download offline maps before you arrive.
- There are no public show caves; caving here is for experienced, equipped parties only.
- The main car park at Chapel Gate fills on sunny weekends and school holidays; arrive before 10:00 or park in the village and pay.The main car park at Chapel Gate fills on sunny weekends and school holidays; arrive before 10:00 AM or park in the village and pay.
- Buses are infrequent: two weekday services from Skipton, one Saturday service, and a Sunday summer service. Check the last bus before you set off on a long walk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance, mountain rescue
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent advice
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MalhamMalham
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance, mountain rescue999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent advice111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in the Dales; the US embassy is in London and the nearest US consulate-general is in Leeds.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 210/211 Skipton to Malham: about 40 min, twice on weekdays
- Taxi Skipton to Malham: about £25-35 (≈ US$35–50), 20-25 min
- Chapel Gate car park: pay and display, day rate
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you / Cheers — Thank you
- Is this the path to the Cove? — Is this the path to the Cove?
- Two pints, please — Two pints, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest toilet? — Where is the nearest toilet?
Signal is patchy: save this card offline before you walk.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Malham. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr-Jun, Sep · avoid Dec-Feb (short days, wet limestone), bank-holiday weekends (car park fills by mid-morning) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for LBA and MAN: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: village and Chapel Gate, Cove and limestone pavement, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss, Malham Tarn and the Pennine Way.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Cove path, Gordale Scar, Tarn, Kirkby Malham church) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bus 210/211, 75 and 864 timetable fixtures so gates A-D can go green.