Learning opportunities at Malham Tarn

What we do

There are lots of opportunities for learning and having fun. We are open throughout the year and work with pre-schools, primary/secondary schools and community groups.

Schools

The activities on offer suit a range of ages and abilities from early years to KS4 linking to a wide variety of topics such as habitat studies and food chains, local geography, food and farming, navigation and team building.

An example itinerary for a habitat study:

10:15 - Arrive
10:30 - Activity 1 e.g. pond dipping (life cycles, adaptation, food chains)
12:00 - Handwashing and lunch
12:45 - Activity 2 e.g. owl pellet dissection (food chains)
14.15 - Handwashing, toilets and collect bags
14:30 - Depart

Community groups

We are keen for everyone to discover and enjoy this special area. If you are a local community group looking for somewhere to visit then please get in touch or alternatively we could visit you and do a talk.

Primary school activities on offer

Science through nature - Explore the National Nature Reserve and become a nature detective hunting for the inhabitants of Malham Tarn. From bug hunting and pond dipping to dissecting owl pellets, learn to identify creatures as well as life cycles, adaptation and food chains.

Navigation - An introduction to map reading skills, Ordnance Survey symbols and compass points or a digital treasure hunt using a GPS device to navigate around Malham Tarn.

Bush craft - Venture into the woodlands on an adventure with our Rangers to explore this hidden environment. Work as a team to build a den from branches, twigs and leaves, learn how to build a fire and have a go at cooking or create wild art using natural objects. Each bush craft session is bespoke to meet individual group requirements.

The John Muir Award - Discover, explore, conserve and share experiences of the great outdoors. The John Muir Trust has devised an environmental awards scheme that encourages people to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places - places like Malham Tarn. We can deliver this award scheme on behalf of the John Muir Trust. To find out more about the award visit: www.johnmuirtrust.org/john-muir-award

Limestone landscapes - The Yorkshire Dales is often referred to as limestone country. With classic natural features such as limestone pavements with their jigsaw of clints and grykes, the magnificent Malham Cove and magical Janet’s Foss waterfall it is easy to see why. Groups can go on a guided walk to discover these fascinating features and learn how they were formed or maybe become a fossil hunter and explore the geological past of the Yorkshire Dales in this way.

Secondary schools

From river studies, farm visits and glacial landscapes to conservation, ecosystems and climate change, there are a number of topics we can cover. If you’d like to know more please contact us.

Facilities, transport and access

If anyone in the group has mobility problems, please let us know and we will do our best to cater for them. There are accessible routes we can follow and a disabled toilet.

The Orchid House is used as our indoor space and we also have a minibus (seats 16) which we are happy to use to help with transport if your group is local.

Cost

Funding from our Countryside Stewardship Agreement at Malham Tarn allows us to provide 25 visits free of charge to schools and other educational establishments for children from birth to the end of Key Stage 4 (age 16) and care farming parties or individuals. This agreement helps us to restore and protect the precious habitats and wildlife of the Malham Tarn Estate. We are limited to 25 so please book early to avoid disappointment.

If you do not qualify for a free visit charges will apply.

Booking

Unfortunately, considering the current situation regarding the Coronavirus outbreak we are not taking any education group bookings. We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause but hope you understand and appreciate that our concern for everyone's safety is our top priority.