Malton: Markets, Roman Traces and Walks

Malton combines lively markets, Roman traces, culinary experiences and walks in a varied urban landscape. Those planning a trip with different interests can choose between culture, regional markets, cookery courses and excursions into the surrounding area. When looking for a suitable holiday apartment, the key consideration is therefore which experiences should shape your stay and how you would like to spend your days.

Roman History and Art in the Town

A good starting point for Malton’s history is Malton Museum. It has an extensive collection of Roman artefacts and also offers public and private guided tours. These take visitors through the town’s historic centre and across the site of the Roman fort. This makes it possible to combine a museum visit with a guided walk, without viewing Malton’s Roman past solely through individual exhibits.

Traces of the fort can also be seen outside the museum: the lines of its defensive walls now run through Orchard Fields. Anyone interested in historic structures can combine this site with a museum visit and guided tour. Another independent discovery is provided by the Malton Sculpture Trail. It offers a new and inclusive way to experience art in Malton and Norton, and invites visitors to engage with works in public spaces.

Market Days, Crafts and Cooking

Malton’s traditional market takes place every Saturday on the Market Place. Saturday is therefore a particularly notable time for a stay if you would like to include local market activity in your trip. From March to December, monthly arts and crafts markets are added, usually alongside the traditional market. The different market days therefore create their own focus, ranging from regional produce and crafts to the character of the town centre.

A specific culinary destination is The Cook’s Place in Green Man Alley, directly off Market Street. The cookery school specialises in seafood and baking courses and caters for cooks of all experience levels. Those who enjoy getting involved themselves while on holiday can plan such a course as a separate activity alongside market visits and sightseeing. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether proximity to the town’s activities or a base for longer excursions is more important to you.

Walks and Paths in the Countryside

For a manageable day trip, the Malton and St Mary’s Priory Walk is a good option. The circular route is 3 miles long; at a leisurely pace, it usually takes around 2 to 3 hours. The route therefore suits trip planning in which a walk leaves room for further experiences in Malton. Those looking for a considerably longer hike will find a different scale in the Centenary Way: the route is 83 miles long and runs from York to Filey Brigg. Important sections pass through or near Malton.

Malton lies on the edge of the Howardian Hills National Landscape, an area of outstanding natural beauty. This connection with the landscape complements the cultural and culinary offerings with a close-to-nature dimension. Depending on your priorities, a holiday apartment in Malton may therefore be of interest either as an urban base for markets and museums or as a starting point for walks and longer sections of trail. The A64 from York to Scarborough runs directly past Malton; the A169 connects the town via Pickering with Whitby and the North York Moors National Park.

Arriving by Train and Car

Even without limiting your trip to a single means of transport, Malton can easily be incorporated into a larger route. Malton railway station is on the railway line between York and Scarborough, with trains running hourly in both directions. For travel by car, the A64 and A169 are the main connections. These different travel options may play a role when looking for accommodation, as may the question of whether you want to plan your stay primarily around the Saturday market, culture and cookery courses, or walks in the countryside.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Malton, here are the next destinations: Ravenscar, Ripon, Coxwold, Threshfield, Whitby, Leyburn, Stokesley, Green Hammerton.

For the overview of the wider trip: North Yorkshire.