Malham itself is a delightful hamlet when it's allowed to be — which is to say, when it's not bursting at the seams with visitors. It has no church of its own; would-be worshippers and sightseers have to go to nearby Kirkby Malham. There is a National Park information centre and car park, and meals can be had at the Buck Inn or at a local café.
The principal draw is the scenery. Three sights stand out: Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, both featuring extraordinary limestone formations, and Janet's Foss, an attractive if modest waterfall set in a wooded gill. Neither Malham Cove — with its sheer, curving cliff face — nor Gordale Scar is the place to let your attention wander if you have young children in tow.