Malham Tarn

Malham Tarn
Image of an upland lake surrounded by hills and trees
A view of the north-east corner of Malham Tarn
North Yorkshire map
North Yorkshire map
Malham Tarn
A relief map of North Yorkshire showing the location of Malham Tarn
Malham Tarn shown within North Yorkshire
LocationYorkshire Dales, England
Coordinates54°05′45″N 2°10′0″W / 54.09583°N 2.16667°W / 54.09583; -2.16667
TypeGlacial
Catchment area6 km2 (2.3 sq mi)
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Surface area0.62 km2 (0.24 sq mi)
Average depth2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Max. depth4.4 m (14 ft)
Residence time11 weeks
Surface elevation377 m (1,237 ft)
Designated28 October 1993
Reference no.634[1]

Malham Tarn is a glacial lake near the village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales, England. The lake is one of only eight upland alkaline lakes in Europe. At an altitude of 377 metres (1,237 ft) above sea level it is the highest marl lake in the United Kingdom.[2] Its geology, flora and fauna have led to it being listed under a number of conservation designations. The site is currently owned by the National Trust, who used to lease part of the site to the Field Studies Council but this closed as a field centre in 2022.[3] The site was the inspiration for Charles Kingsley's 1863 novel The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby.

  1. ^ "Malham Tarn". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ Limestone Country. Final Report (PDF). Limestone Country Project. 2008.
  3. ^ Tate, Lesley (31 August 2022). "'Iconic' Malham Tarn field studies centre to close". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 22 December 2022.