Malham Tarn Field Centre
Settle
North Yorkshire
BD24 9PU
Tel: 01729 830331
Fax: 01729 830658
Email: fsc.malham@ukonline.co.uk
Grid reference: SD894672
The Malham Tarn Field Studies Council Centre is located on the north shore of Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales. The Centre itself occupies a large Georgian country house leased from the National Trust. The Centre is the hub of a major National Nature Reserve and the research carried out here is of international regard. The Tarn is one of only eight upland alkaline lakes in Europe.
Malham Tarn Field Centre
The setting is spectacular. The main lounge looks over the Tarn to the south and providing a backdrop behind the House is the 75 m high Highfolds Scar. A little to the north is moorland with Fountains Fell (within walking distance) rising to nearly 700 m. Also within walking distance are notable limestone features including Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and other dramatic karst areas. Habitats include limestone pavement, grazed and ungrazed grassland, woodland, fen, acid peat pools, hill streams and tarns.
Malham Tarn. The Field Centre lies within the trees in the centre of the photograph.
The Centre is well equipped for field courses and there are geography, geology, biology, and ecology courses run throughout the year for a range of age groups. Laboratories and teaching rooms (with IT facilities) are grouped round a cobbled courtyard at the rear of the house. There is also a drying room and dining room. Food is 'home made' from local ingredients and provides the ideal tasty, nourishing and ample diet that is needed for the rigours of outdoor work.
Malham village (which boasts two attractive hostelries) lies about 6 km to the south of the Centre. A social trip into Malham will be arranged for the final evening of the week. In addition to this, the accommodation block has a small bar and the main house has a common room and library.
In a beautifully renovated stable block about 200 m from the house is a small bar and attractive twin and single bedrooms, many ensuite. There is also accommodation in the main house. In most cases, students will be required to share a room at the Centre.
The study sites are mostly within walking distance of the Centre, but some can only be reached by walking over rough and hilly terrain.
Groupwork at Malham
(Courtesy of Mark Brandon)
The Field Centre (SD894672) is about 88 km by road from Manchester and 67 km from Leeds. The nearest railway stations are at Settle (7 km) and Giggleswick (8 km) and they can be reached from Manchester, Leeds, Lancaster and Carlisle. It is hoped to organise transport to and from the stations for a small fee (details will be sent with joining instructions). Car parking is available at the Centre.
