The Harry Potter filming locations at Malham Cove probably list in the top 10 weirdest throughout the whole film series.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Hermione and Harry camp out on Malham Cove’s limestone pavement. Ron had stormed off at this point, so it’s just the two of them. It’s one of the many locations in various national parks and forests around England which are used as hideouts so that the Death Eaters can’t find them whilst they search for Horcruxes.

Malham Cove is distinguishable by what’s known as the ‘limestone pavement.’ The rock on top of Malham Cove has separated in a strange way, meaning there are deep grooves between what would have been a flat surface.

To me, it’s a weird location because I can’t imagine that jagged rocks at the best place to pitch a tent. Neither is a cliff edge! The scene is most likely possible thanks to CGI as I imagine, logistically, it’s an impossible location to shoot.

However, Malham Cove looks very striking in the film. It’s just the sort of forboding filming location that would match well with Harry Potter’s life at the time.

Harry Potter Filming Locations at Malham Cove

How to get to Malham Cove

Driving by Car/Parking in Malham

We drove to Malham Cove (from Goathland Station – another Harry Potter filming location!). Malham Cove is situated near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We used the postcode BD23 4DA which worked perfectly, and the car park is signposted from the road. I would definitely use a SatNav because there are so many little country roads, you’d easily get lost.

The car park is directly next to the Malham Cove National Park Centre if you need toilet facilities and local advice/maps/gifts. The centre is only open seasonally but I believe the car park remains open year round.

We paid £2.50 for two hours parking.

There was also street parking available just outside the centre which had a little milk can where you could put the suggested donation of £2 for all day parking.

Staying in Malham

Check out where to stay in Malham or places to eat in Malham if you’re making a big trip of it! Which you could, it seems like an ideal place for a weekend break in the countryside. If you like hikes and walking, that is!

Where are the Harry Potter Filming Locations at Malham Cove?

How to get to Malham Cove

We arrived in Malham at about 15:00 in the afternoon and were back on the road by 17:00, so it’s not a long trip if you’re short on time.

From the car park, there’s a path off to the left near the road, so you can just follow the path around the car park and up towards Malham Cove. It’s an easy 25-30 minute walk to the bottom of the steps. Honestly, you should be able to see Malham Cove from the car park. So, even if you don’t follow Google Maps as I did, I’d be surprised if you get lost.

Then, to climb to the top and reach the Harry Potter filming locations at Malham Cove, there are steps up the west side of Malham Cove that you will no doubt spot the closer you get.

Steps up to Malham Cove

Honestly, I’ve seen people online say ‘you need to be very fit to walk the steps to the top’ and ‘it’s very dangerous’ which is just rubbish. Sure, I had to stop a couple of times on the way up to catch my breath, but children and fit over-70s could easily walk up the steps to the top of Malham Cove. So what if you have to stop a few times? You’ll still make it in under 15 minutes.

I’m as unfit as they come and these people have got to be exaggerating.

And to it being dangerous, they are stone steps that can get slippy in the rain. That’s it. Take your time, and you’ll be fine. Again, I’d read online that the steps are very steep, which they aren’t. They make it sound like some kind of hellish ladder carved into the cliff edge. Please don’t be put off about what you may read about the steps!!

Photographing at Malham Cove

Once you’re at the top, careful if it’s been raining or windy like it was when I went to visit the Harry Potter filming locations at Malham Cove. You need to be really careful about where you’re standing. You don’t want to slip or be blown over. And most importantly, don’t be a silly billy and go near the edge. It’s a cliff. If you slip, you will fall.

The steps are on the correct side of Malham Cove to check out the Harry Potter locations. The tent was situated on the slightly lower down part of the limestone pavement near the cliff edge. And Harry and Hermione had a chat sat on the limestone pavement to the west side, near where the steps are.

I’d stand back and take photographs of the Harry Potter locations from the grassy area, much safer there and you’re less likely to slip. I’m just being a cautious Hermione, but we can all have fun and stay safe at the same time! The best kind of fun!

And that’s everything you need to know about visiting the Harry Potter Filming Locations at Malham Cove in North Yorkshire! Have you ever visited Malham Cove? Let me know in the comments below! 

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