National Trust Yorkshire Dales

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National Trust Yorkshire Dales

We look after large areas of the countryside across the Yorkshire Dales.

29/05/2026

Malham Tarn looks at its best in the sunshine - as this gorgeous shot taken by National Trust staff member Gina shows.

Fingers crossed we get more this summer!

26/05/2026

You may have noticed some somewhat... changeable weather in the Dales recently, to put it mildly.

One local Malham farmer certainly has - and he snapped this shot of a double rainbow over his flock, with biblical looking rainclouds above and celestial calm below.

What a great shot of the 'four seasons' weather we've had recently!

📷Neil Heseltine

19/05/2026

🪻If you're out walking in the Dales this week, here's a wildflower to look out: the Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) has pinkish-purple flowers and glossy spotted leaves. 🪻

Some fun facts about it:
🐝 Even though it has no nectar, it attracts pollinators such as bees, wasps, butterflies and beetles with its sweet scent - but after fertilization this becomes unpleasant to put off predators.
⛪️ It's sometimes known as the 'cross flower' as in folklore it was thought to have been planted beneath Christ on the cross, and that the purple spots on the leaves are actually his blood.
✒️It's mentioned in Shakespeare's Hamlet as the "long purples" - one of the flowers that Ophelia uses to weave herself a crown.
🍒 It was also known as "dog's cods", "cullions" and "fool's ballocks", as its tubers are thought to resemble testicles.

So now you know!

📷 Thanks to Gina, Martin and Patrick for the long purple snaps

17/05/2026

This photo shows the beautiful scenery around Strans Gill on a recent sunny morning, as captured by ranger Seb while out on a breeding bird survey.

The National Trust in the Yorkshire Dales is responsible for two survey squares as part of a national scheme organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in partnership with the JNCC and RSPB.

"Nothing especially rare this morning but nice to see the usual upland birds including curlew, lapwing, snipe, skylark, wheatear," he reported.

The survey is looking for more volunteers, so if you could do some active listening for birds over the summer months, do visit https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/bbs

13/05/2026

Spotted one of these pretty flowers out and about?

A wildflower that loves boggy soil, the bogbean plant (Menyanthes trifoliata) is an aquatic, rhizomatous perennial with gorgeous star-like white flowers in late spring. Its name comes from the shape of the leaves, which resemble those of the broad bean. They were formerly known as the 'bog hop' as historically they were used to flavour beer.

Our Heart of the Dales project manager Gwen captured this one on the Estate last week. They flower from March until June so you've got a few weeks to see if you can see one too.

25/02/2026

Could spring be just around the corner? Scarlet elf cups are emerging in the woods at Hudswell - a vibrant sign of winters end and a brilliant splash of colour on the woodland floor.

National Trust, Yorkshire National Trust

Image description: 2 images showing small fungi with vivid red cups in the woodland. Credit Seb Mankelow

17/02/2026

Flipping ‘eck it’s Pancake Day! How do you eat yours? With sugar & lemon (the original), with chocolate & banana or do you go savoury?

13/02/2026

🌳 A little note about our Victorian tree rounds… 🌳
You might have spotted those old stone circles around the trees at Malham Tarn - they were originally built back in the Victorian era. They’re not just quirky bits of history; they actually help young trees survive in a pretty tough spot. With strong winds, plus curious sheep and deer nibbling away, it’s hard for new trees to get established.

These dry stone tree rounds give natural, sustainable protection and make a lovely feature in the landscape too.

We’d really appreciate your help in looking after them - so please avoid climbing on them and try not to drop any rubbish inside. Thanks for helping us look after this special place!

National Trust, Yorkshire National Trust

Image description: Image 1 - Stone circle by the water at Malham Tarn. Image 2 - Ariel view of 3 stone circles. Credit: Paul Harris

05/02/2026

Just look at what our team spotted at Malham Tarn!

This is 'Hair Ice' a rare natural phenomenon where extremely fine, silky filaments of ice (each about the width of a human hair) grow from moist, rotting wood when very specific winter conditions are present.

This rare winter wonder looks like delicate white hair or spun sugar emerging from dead branches and only appears when the conditions are just right!

National Trust, Yorkshire National Trust

Image description: 2 images showing hair ice covering brown leaves and branches - credit: Emmeline Butler

02/02/2026

Looking for something a bit different to entertain the kids this February half term? Why not join us for an after dark adventure at Malham Tarn...

On Saturday 21 February, 7pm-8.30pm we're having a 'Star Party' where you can learn all about the night sky with astronomer Martin Lunn MBE. Tickets are limited so book now: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/yorkshire-dales/events

Yorkshire National Trust, Yorkshire Treasures, Yorkshire Tots to Teens

Image description: 3 images showing starry night skies, credit Pete Collins Diamond Skies

28/01/2026

Good Morning from the Yorkshire Dales...what a difference a day makes! Great to see that blue sky back again today.

National Trust, Yorkshire Treasures

Image description: Two dogs sat in a field with hills, trees and blue sky in the distance - credit Patrick Wardle.

Address

Yorkshire Dales Estate Office
Settle
BD249PT

Telephone

+441729830416

Website

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/yorkshire-dales

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