The best things to do in Malton

Located close to the River Derwent which divides the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, Malton is a pretty market town that’s perfectly placed for exploring the Howardian Hills, North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.

It has become known in recent years as Yorkshire’s Food Capital and has been named one of the UK’s most dog-friendly places to visit. 

You’ll also find majestic stately homes, beautiful gardens and family-friendly attractions within easy reach of the Ryedale town, so we’ve compiled all the best things to do in Malton during a short break or holiday.    

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• Malton food and drink
• Malton history and heritage
• Malton gardens
• Family-friendly attractions near Malton

Malton food and drink

Malton Food Lovers Festival

This three-day foodie extravaganza takes place across the August bank holiday weekend when the streets of Malton are filled with stages and stalls. Bars, entertainment and play areas all add to the vibrant feel of this fun Yorkshire festival and there’s lots to see and do during a visit. 

You can listen to live music as you wander through stalls filled with artisan Yorkshire produce and watch demonstrations from expert chefs. There’s also street food, a vintage fun fair and free samples to nibble on as you explore the family-friendly Malton Food Lovers Festival.   

Malton Monthly Food Market

The Malton Monthly Food Market takes place on the second Saturday of every month between March and November and there’s also a special festive Christmas event in December. The market is like a mini version of the Malton Food Festival with an assortment of stalls selling everything from cheese to chocolate against the backdrop of St Michael’s church.  

It is the perfect place to stock up on local ingredients and seek out specialist artisan producers with live music to keep you entertained during your visit. There’s a selection of street food vendors who can provide refreshments as you browse the stalls or, alternatively, you’ll find plenty of cafes dotted around Malton where you can stop for a cuppa and cake.  

Talbot Yard Food Court

Talbot Yard Food Court has been at the heart of Malton’s foodie renaissance with six artisan food producers located in the historic coaching yard of a 17th-century inn. Talbot Yard has led to food businesses springing up all over town including Malton Relish, a delicatessen in the marketplace, and Costello’s Salumeria which specialises in cooked meats and cheeses.

Head to the food court and you can learn how to make gin at the Rare Bird Distillery, try some authentic French macarons at the Florian Poirot patisserie. Other businesses located in Talbot Food Yard include the Food 2 Remember delicatessen, Roost Espresso Bar, Bluebird Bakery and Groovy Moo Gelato. Discover more Yorkshire food and drink favourites.

Ryedale Vineyards

This award-winning 12-acre vineyard is nestled around 6 miles from Malton on the southern slopes of the Yorkshire Wolds. Ryedale Vineyard grows 16 different grape varieties and produces a selection of white, red and rose wines using traditional methods in a converted cow byre.

Regular tours are available where visitors can walk through the vineyard and learn more about the winemaking process before sampling some of the delicious end results which includes Yorkshire Lass, the Strickland Red and the Royal Rose. 

Malton history and heritage

Castle Howard

Just a 7-mile drive from Malton is Castle Howard, one of the UK’s most popular stately homes and the setting for a number of Yorkshire film and TV productions such as Brideshead Revisited, Victoria and Bridgerton.

Take a tour of grand rooms which are filled with original paintings and furniture before exploring the 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland with woodland walks, lakeside play areas and a land train to help you get around. The Atlas Fountain is Castle Howard’s most famous feature but there are also 18 figure sculptures and The Temple of the Four Winds to seek out around the grounds and gardens. 

Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village

This English Heritage site is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval villages in the UK with a glorious location in the rolling Yorkshire Wolds. Wharram Percy sits atop a peaceful valley between Malton and Driffield and was a thriving village for around 600 years until it was abandoned during the 1500s. 

Highlights of this Yorkshire Wolds site include the atmospheric remains of a medieval church and a tranquil mill pond. It’s a lovely setting for a picnic and you can still trace the outline of original houses as you walk around and admire the view from this wonderful historic site.    

Malton gardens

Yorkshire Arboretum

Just a short walk from Castle Howard is the Yorkshire Arboretum , which features majestic trees from around the world in 120 acres of parkland with peaceful ponds, tranquil lakes and beautiful wildflower meadows. 

There are special trails to follow to help you make the most out of your visit to this dog-friendly Yorkshire garden before heading to the on-site cafe for refreshments. Four-legged friends are welcome to join you at Yorkshire Arboretum for an adventure amongst the trees and there’s also a woodland play area for kids to let off some steam. 

Scampston Hall and Walled Garden

Scampston Hall is a regency country house in the Yorkshire Wolds that’s famed for a walled garden that was designed by Piet Oudolf and an 18th-century parkland from renowned landscaper Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. 

Wander through a selection of garden rooms which all have a distinct look and feel before taking a colour-coded trail through the grounds to seek out wildlife-rich lakes and a magical forest. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the opulent stately home which has been fully restored to its former glory and is filled with interesting artwork and antiques.

Wolds Way Lavender and Nature Farm

Not far from Scampston is another gorgeous Yorkshire garden that’s well worth visiting. Wolds Way Lavender and Nature Farm features fields full of fragrant purple flowers to wander around along with lots of fun activities to keep the kids happy during a visit.

After taking a woodland walk around the beautiful lavender gardens you can play a game of foot golf, take a ride on the miniature railway and try to find the giant games that are hidden deep within a tricky maze. There’s also a toddler trail, butterfly garden, sandpit and picnic garden to make Wolds Way Lavender and Nature Farm a fun day out for the whole family. 

Malton Castle Garden

This 5-acre garden is a public green space that runs alongside the River Derwent and is the perfect place to sit and relax during a visit to Malton. It’s completely free for anyone to access and features a central lawned area with pathways and benches plus a natural forest with woodland walks through ancient trees that are a haven for wildlife.

Regular family-friendly events take place at Malton Castle Garden and the area is also a scheduled ancient monument site with the remains of a Roman fort and Malton Castle.  

Family-friendly attractions near Malton

Eden Camp Modern History Museum

What was originally built as a prisoner of war camp in 1942 is now a sprawling museum where you can discover what life was like during World War II. Various huts around the site recreate the sights and smells of the war, from being on a German U-boat to experiencing The Blitz. Take a look through the windows of a 1940s prefab house and check out the seasonal vegetables that are growing in the Dig for Victory garden.  

There’s also an assortment of tanks and aircraft from the era along with a recreated wartime street. Children can enjoy watching a puppet show at the 1940s Music Hall and there’s also a play area to keep them entertained. In all, there are 6 acres to explore at Eden Camp Modern History Museum and the site is dog-friendly so canine companions can come along too.  

Flamingo Land

Flamingo Land is a theme park and zoo near Malton which is one of the best family-friendly days out in Yorkshire with something to keep kids of all ages happy. Teenagers will love the thrills and spills of roller coasters such as Sik with a whopping ten inversions and Mumbo Jumbo which features a 112-degree vertical drop. 

There’s also lots of gentler rides for younger children along with themed areas such as Peter Rabbit Adventures and Dino-Stone Park plus regular live-action shows from the swashbuckling Pirates of Zanzibar. The Flamingo Land zoo features lions, tigers, zebras and penguins along with lemurs, meerkats and red pandas. There are even special experiences available where you can get up close to some of the animals. 

Plan your getaway to Malton

If you have been inspired to visit Malton, you’ll find a selection of holiday homes that are perfectly placed for exploring this charming market town and the nearby Yorkshire Wolds. 

Browse our collection of cottages to find your perfect base