Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Malham National Park Centre · Photo: N Chadwick
A free walking day from Malham village. Follow the beck through the woods to Janet's Foss, a little waterfall wrapped in legend, then walk to the foot of Malham Cove's huge curved cliff. Strong walkers can climb the stone steps to the limestone pavement on top for a picnic with a view.
10:00–10:20 (20m)
Park here, use the toilets and pick up a trail map.
The National Park's visitor centre at the bottom of Malham village, with the main car park, toilets including a Changing Places facility, and maps and leaflets for the Malham Landscape Trail. It is the natural start and finish point for walks to Janet's Foss and Malham Cove.
Photo: N Chadwick
Nature & gardens · 10:45–11:30 (45m)
Woodland walk to the waterfall pool.
A small woodland waterfall owned by the National Trust, reached on foot from Malham village along the Malham Landscape Trail. Lime-rich water has built up a mossy tufa screen beneath the falls, and local legend says a fairy queen called Janet lived in a cave behind it. Bluebells and wild garlic carpet the wood in spring.
Photo: Immanuel Giel
Nature & gardens · 12:15–14:30 (2h15m)
Picnic below or on top of the cove; keep well back from the pavement edge.
A 70-metre curved limestone cliff a short walk north of Malham village, with a stepped path of around 400 steps up the side to the limestone pavement on top. Peregrine falcons nest on the cliff face and climbers are often seen on the rock. It pairs naturally with Janet's Foss and Gordale Scar for a longer circular walk.
Photo: Tom Corser
YorkshireSheffield city centre
Three free stops linked by tram. Meet the woolly rhino and polar bear at Weston Park Museum, ride across town to see a 12,000-horsepower steam engine in action at Kelham Island, and end among 2,500 plants in the Winter Garden.
Weston Park Museum → Kelham Island Museum → The Winter Garden
YorkshireSaltaire / Bradford
A free day in and around the Victorian model village of Saltaire. Play in riverside Roberts Park, have lunch inside the huge Salts Mill with its free galleries, then hop two stops towards Bradford for the boating lake, Mughal Water Gardens and free art at Lister Park's Cartwright Hall.
Roberts Park → Salts Mill → Cartwright Hall Art Gallery → Lister Park
YorkshireYork city centre
Start high on the medieval walls with the Minster towering beside you, then step inside the cathedral, where under-18s go free with a paying adult. After a picnic among the abbey ruins in Museum Gardens, ride through Viking-age York at JORVIK and finish on top of Clifford's Tower looking back over everything you've walked.
York City Walls → York Museum Gardens → Jorvik Viking Centre → Clifford's Tower
