Malham Tarn is England's highest freshwater lake, situated at 376 metres above sea level on Malham Moor in the Yorkshire Dales, approximately 3 miles north of Malham village. It covers a surface area of approximately 150 acres with a maximum depth of 4 metres. The tarn basin was formed when a gravelly moraine dammed the area during the retreat of the Devensian glaciation around 10,000 years ago, and the water level was subsequently raised in the 19th century by Lord Ribblesdale via a dam and sluice gate at the southern end.

Paddling is not permitted on Malham Tarn. The estate welcomes visitors for walking, wildlife watching, and picnicking, but watercraft of any kind — including float tubes, kayaks, and canoes — are not allowed on the water.

Paddlers looking for alternatives in the broader North Yorkshire area may wish to consider Semerwater, described as the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire after Malham Tarn, which does accommodate kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing.