Janet's Foss, Malham, North Yorkshire

After leaving the spectacular setting of Gordale Scar and returning to the road we walked south for a short while until we reached a path which led us down to Janet's Foss, a small waterfall where Gordale Beck cascades over a limestone outcrop into a deep pool below.

Local legend has it that a Fairy Queen, Janet (also known as Jennet) lives in a cave behind the falls. "Foss" is from a Norse word for force, or waterfall.

 Strictly speaking the area behind the fall is not a true cave. Calcium carbonate deposited from the flowing water onto moss growing on the rock surrounding the waterfall has created a screen of tufa behind which is the "cave" in question. There is another, larger cave to the right of the pool.

Traditionally used for sheep dipping, the deep pool at the foot of Janet's Foss is now a popular place for families to visit. Its close proximity to Malham means it can become extremely busy, especially at weekends. The clear cold water makes for a very tempting paddling pool for children and dogs. We were lucky to have the place almost to ourselves on our visit, enabling us to watch a Dipper busily searching the rocky crevices for insects while a Grey Wagtail looked on from a nearby branch.

Leaving the waterfall behind we walked through Wedber Wood, towards Malham.
The path runs alongside Gordale Beck and meanders through the dappled shade of ancient woodland. There is a decidedly magical feel about this area; it's easy to see how stories of Jennet the Fairy Queen might have originated in such a place. A fairy glade is an accurate description; or at least that's the feeling I had.

 The air was filled with the aroma of wild garlic which was in full bloom when we visited in May.

 Several fallen trees have been turned into Wishing Trees and have thousands of coins hammered into them. 

Gordale Beck, dotted at this time with bright splashes of yellow Marsh Marigolds, runs alongside the path until it eventually emerges from the woods and passes through pastureland until it finally reaches Malham village.

 

As we approached Malham we could see the towering limestone cliffs of Malham Cove once more, in the distance.

As always, thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you've enjoyed the photos.