Malham Cove is located just outside of the village of Malham in Yorkshire Dales in England. It is beautiful, impressive and (most importantly for me) a filming location in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Harry Potter Filming Locations: Malham Cove & Limestone Pavement
Harry Potter fans will recognise Malham Cove and Limestone Pavement as the place Harry and Hermione camped in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when they were looking for horcruxes and hiding from Voldemort. I love visiting filming locations, especially Harry Potter movie locations and Malham Cove was no different.
What is cool about Limestone Pavement (Other than Harry Potter)?
What makes this location more interesting, even for those who are not Harry Potter enthusiasts, is the interesting formation of the Limestone Pavement. Over 12,000 years ago as the Last Glacial Period ended, a waterfall formed from the glacier meltwaters that swept over the area and creating the limestone. Over the thousands of years since, rain has eroded away at the limestone creating large and unique looking rocks.
I was staying with my family in Cheshire, about an hour and a half drive away from Malham Cove. We chose to make it a proper day trip and drove to Malham Village to begin the walk via Settle to check out more of the British countryside.
Jump down for instructions on how to get to Malham Cove.
How to get to Malham Cove
We arrived at Malham Village. As you arrive you will see cars parked up along the road. It may seem further out than you think but it’s where to pull over to start the walk.
From Malham Village head up along Cove Road, pictured below.
After a few minutes, keep your eye out for this sign
And walk through the gate next to it.
Follow the path, separated by the wall, along the side of the road.
Before coming to this gate and passing on through.
Enjoy the rest of the walk towards the Limestone Pavement, with beautiful views over the fields. As an Australian, it’s this typical ‘English countryside’ view that I love.
As you follow the path, you will see Limestone Pavement in front of you. This 80m tall cliff is impressive from the bottom but the views are even more phenomenal from above.
It’s a really enjoyable walk with lots of babbling brooks and cows to complement the scene.
After approximately 20 or so minutes, you’ll reach the bottom of Limestone Pavement where the stairs begin. Don’t be wary, they are fairly easy, with plenty of places to stop if you want to rest along the way.
Limestone Pavement
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Filming Location
When you arrive you’ll see that it is definitely well worth the effort. The view across the Yorkshire Dales is amazing and the ‘Pavement’ is fascinating – although does take some concentration not to trip or fall over when walking across.
We spent only about half an hour up here before making the return walk back where we had come through Yorkshire Dales National Park.
While we spent the whole day, the walk took us approximately an hour and a half, with 30 minutes spent enjoying the view at the top. It was a wonderful day out and another check off my Harry Potter filming locations list.
‘He must have known I’d want to leave you.”
“No, he must have known you would always want to come back.”
– J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
