Malham has a new address for the sort of Yorkshire Dales break built around a long walk, a pub lunch and a lovely country bedroom to retreat to afterwards. Lister Farmhouse brings 13 individually designed rooms to the North Yorkshire village, with family options among them and breakfast-inclusive stays starting at £185 a night in low season.
Thwaites announced the opening on 1 September 2026, following the transformation of part of a 19th-century coaching inn. The farmhouse adjoins The Buck, the company’s second village pub, and joins The Lister Arms and Lister Barn in a collection of places to stay in Malham.
Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn and Malham Cove are all part of the appeal here. For a countryside escape, the combination is enticing: days exploring the Dales, two pubs to choose between and a newly renovated bedroom waiting at the end of it.
A Victorian building with a view
The Lister Arms website describes deep-cushioned window seats overlooking the dale, along with a sharply angled roof and windows divided by stone mullions. Those are the details that make this opening sound particularly inviting: a historic building with somewhere comfortable to sit and appreciate the landscape, including on the days when the walking boots get a rest.
Walter Morrison, a landowner, MP and philanthropist, built the Victorian coaching inn that now houses the farmhouse rooms.
The farmhouse sits in the centre of Malham, a short walk over the beck from The Lister Arms. That village setting is useful when planning a stay: meals, accommodation and the starting point for exploring the surrounding area are brought together in one place. The rooms’ outlook over the dale adds another reason to leave a little unhurried time in the itinerary.
Individually designed country bedrooms
Jane Goff of Goff Associates was responsible for the interiors; her previous work includes Langdale Chase on Lake Windermere. Thwaites says the 13 bedrooms were each individually styled to echo the building’s character and the surrounding landscape, with layered textures, custom furnishings and high-end finishes.
Rick Bailey, executive chairman of Thwaites, explained the thinking behind the work: “With a building of this age and significance, the design process was all about careful stewardship – a sensitive renovation that honours the past rather than overwrites it.”
The individual treatment makes the bedroom choice part of the appeal. With a small collection like this, it’s worth looking through the available room options before booking, particularly if the bedroom itself is a big part of your holiday wish list. Family rooms are included, so the opening has scope for countryside breaks with children as well as a couple’s weekend away.
Air-conditioning was installed during the restoration, a practical detail for summer stays after days spent walking in the Dales.
Two village pubs, with breakfast across the beck
Farmhouse guests head to The Lister Arms for breakfast and dinner, crossing a packhorse bridge on a walk the operator puts at about two minutes. That’s an important detail to know before booking, especially for anyone travelling with children or planning an early start. Breakfast involves a short stroll through the village, giving the stay an easy connection to the inn.
The Lister Arms focuses on seasonal versions of classic dishes, alongside specials on the chalkboard that change each day. Thwaites has named a new executive head chef to lead the food offering here and at The Buck, bringing both village pubs under the same culinary leadership while retaining their different roles.
The Buck, adjoining the farmhouse, serves home-cooked pub food and ales in a more relaxed setting. Thwaites describes it as a place for family lunches, walkers and post-hike drinks, with muddy boots and paws welcome throughout the year.
Walks to build the weekend around
Malham Cove is a short walk from the village on good paths, making it an obvious place to start exploring. Reaching the top is a more substantial undertaking: the route involves 400 stone steps, with the Landscape Trail providing a route down the steps. Keep the climb in mind when deciding how much walking to fit into the day, particularly on a family trip.
Malham Cove also has a film connection: scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One were filmed there. For some visitors, that will be reason enough to put it near the top of the itinerary; for others, it’s simply another detail attached to one of the area’s best-known landmarks.
Gordale Scar and its waterfall are nearby, while Janet’s Foss is approached through woodland. Together, they give a walking break a varied set of destinations to plan around. Malham Tarn is another of the landmarks highlighted for guests exploring from the village, so there’s plenty to consider beyond a single outing to the cove.
Farmhouse, inn or barn?
The Lister Arms offers bedrooms within a traditional country inn, alongside its pub. Its own building is a separate, Grade II-listed former coaching inn dating from 1723. If staying in the inn itself is part of the attraction, this is the option to look at; farmhouse guests instead make the short walk over for their meals.
Lister Barn provides larger accommodation for groups, with a communal gathering space, and Thwaites also highlights it for guests travelling with dogs. That shared space is a useful distinction for a trip where spending time together matters as much as having somewhere to sleep.
Your travelling party gives you a straightforward starting point: explore the farmhouse’s family-room options for a trip with children, the inn for a classic pub stay, and the barn for group accommodation. The collection brings several ways to stay into the same village, so it’s worth comparing the room arrangements before choosing.
Starting rates and how to book
According to Thwaites’ opening announcement, the low-season starting rate for Lister Farmhouse is £185 per night including breakfast, rising to £230 per night including breakfast in high season. Those are starting prices, so check the rate for your preferred dates and room type, particularly if you need a family room.
Breakfast is served at The Lister Arms, a detail to factor into your morning plans along with that short walk across the beck. For a walking-led break, decide which landmarks you most want to visit before filling the rest of the diary; there’s plenty here to give a weekend its shape.
Check room availability and book your stay through The Lister Arms website, where Lister Farmhouse is listed among the accommodation options.
