Malham in North Yorkshire has welcomed a huge £1.5m investment of one of the village’s 19th century coaching inns.
1 September 2026…// Thwaites has opened Lister Farmhouse, a collection of 13 uniquely designed country bedrooms in Malham, North Yorkshire, following a transformation of part of one of the village’s 19th-century coaching inns.
Set in the Yorkshire Dales, Lister Farmhouse joins The Lister Arms and Lister Barn as part of Thwaites’ wider Lister collection in Malham, giving guests a choice of farmhouse bedrooms, a traditional country inn and larger group accommodation. Room types at Lister Farmhouse include family rooms.
Interiors were led by Jane Goff of Goff Associates, who also headed up the interior design at Langdale Chase on Lake Windermere. The 13 bedrooms have been individually designed to reflect the character of the building and surrounding landscape, with rich textures, bespoke furnishings and premium finishes.
From Malham, guests can explore some of the Yorkshire Dales’ best-known walking routes and landmarks, including Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn and Malham Cove.
The restoration also included the installation of air-conditioning, a practical addition for summer stays after days spent walking in the Dales.
Thwaites has also appointed a new executive head chef to oversee dining at The Lister Arms and The Buck village pub. The Lister Arms focuses on seasonal takes on classic dishes alongside daily-changing chalkboard specials, while The Buck serves home-cooked pub food and ales in a more casual setting for family lunches, walkers and post-hike drinks.
Director of inns at Thwaites, Mick Horan, said: “This exciting project has diversified and bolstered the ways visitors and locals alike can enjoy the charming village of Malham.
“It means that in the village you can now stay at our original inn, our spacious barn, or our brand-new farmhouse bedrooms. Malham welcomes such a wide range of visitors, so it was important to us to create versatility in our offering, with something for everyone.”
On the interiors, executive chairman of Thwaites, Rick Bailey, said: “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. By introducing rich textures, bespoke furnishings and premium finishes, we’ve been able to deliver a sense of understated elegance.
“We were also keen to incorporate notes of the neighbouring landscape; Lister Farmhouse so luckily stands in one of Yorkshire’s most stunning vistas. This is a thoughtful reimagining, and we’ve allowed place, heritage, and luxury to take centre-stage.”
Rick Bailey added: “With nearly 220 years of hospitality behind us, projects like this one really show what we’re all about.
“We’re big on craftsmanship, quality, innovation and warm hospitality, and the Lister Farmhouse is only one part of our continued investment across Thwaites. One renovation at a time, we’re highlighting the country’s irreplaceable hospitality and hotel offering. We’re really excited about this opening, and we hope guests love it as much as we do.”
The Lister collection in Malham includes:
- Lister Farmhouse: 13 newly renovated country bedrooms, with a variety of room types including family rooms
- The Lister Arms: a traditional country inn with a pub and charming bedrooms
- Lister Barn: larger accommodation for groups and guests with dogs, with a communal gathering space
Room rates for the Lister Farmhouse start at £185 B&B per night in low season and £230 in high season.
For more information or to book, visit the website here: The Lister Arms, Malham | Boutique Yorkshire Dales Inn
