Malton has so much to offer; being Yorkshire’s food capital here, you can devour delicious cuisine, browse independent shops and stay in homely accommodation.
Malton is located on the River Derwent on the boundary between the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, a pretty town set in the most beautiful countryside. They are a town passionate about its artisan food, independent shops, famous markets and people who put their heart and soul into everything they make. It’s easy to get here from Whitby, located just 16 miles from York; spend some time exploring this wonderful area.
A brief History of Malton
Malton was founded during Roman times, before the Roman settlement at York. The earliest established building in the town dates back to the late first century AD. Under Governor Agricol, the Gallo-Roman general, the Roman auxiliary fort of Derventio was established. A large Norman castle made from timber, Malton Castle, was built in what is now Castle Garden, adjacent to the defence of Derventio, during the 11th century. It was then rebuilt in stone by 1189.
In 1544 the castle site was inherited by Lord William Eure; his son Ralph went on to build a new house on the site. In 1602 this house was rebuilt in a much grander style. It was demolished in 1674, and today, Malton’s Old Lodge Hotel is the only remaining part of the once vast Jacobean property.
In 1713 the Borough of Malton was purchased by Thomas Watson Wentworth. In 1723 Thomas’s son inherited the family’s interest, and he funded extensive work to make the River Derwent navigable up to Malton. Charles Watson-Wentworth made further investments and was involved in creating the turnpike road between York and Scarborough, which passed through Malton.
The Malton Estate passed to William Fitzwilliam, the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, in 1782. He continued to invest in constructing more homes, workshops, factories and shops in the town. Today, the Fitzwilliam family own much of the commercial area in and around the town as the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate.
A destination for food lovers
Malton is a top destination for food lovers, the natural produce available in the area is superb, the freshest seafood, rare breed cattle and pigs and organic fruit and veg. With its monthly food market, Malton Cookery School, traditional food shops, restaurants and artisan producers, it’s no wonder Antonio Carluccio first called the town Yorkshire’s Food Capital. It attracts thousands of visitors to the town.
Malton Monthly Food Market takes place every second Saturday of the month, hosting specialist food stalls and street food set against St Michael’s Church in Malton’s central Market Place. The market trades from 9 am to 3 pm, it is free to enter, and there are 2 hours of free car parking nearby.
You can find Malton Cookery School, The Cooks Place, just off Market Street. They specialise in seafood and baking and offer a wide range of courses enjoyed by cooks of all skill levels and ages.
Stay in Malton
There are plenty of great places to stay in Malton too. From relaxed, informal hotels to traditional pub inns with bars, restaurants, dining rooms and drinks terraces. If it’s a night under the stars you’re after; there are also camping and caravan sites nearby. There is so much to do in Malton so it’s worth staying here to fully appreciate the area.
Walking routes nearby
Malton is the middle ground between York and Whitby, and there are plenty of local walking routes and things to do in the area. The White Rose Way route, a long-distance walk from Leeds to Scarborough, also passes through Malton.
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Header image credit: Allan Harris, CC BY-ND 2.0, via Flickr
