Malton is having a moment – well it seems to have been having its moment for a a good while now but its foodie reputation has been boosted by its proximity to the Good Food Guide’s foodie must-visit, namely ‘Helmsley and the Howardian Hills’ which were recently named the country’s Most Exciting Food Destination in the inaugural Good Food Guide Awards.
You could argue that these places might never have earned such lauded food credentials had it not been for Malton stirring the culinary pot for years by encouraging food artisans and shouting about its place as ‘Yorkshire’s food Capital’. Malton is within inches of the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and just below the North York Moors National Park. Head a few miles south-east and you're in the rolling Yorkshire Wolds - the Wolds Way National Trail passes not far from the town's outskirts.
Malton appears to have it all. As well as well as dishing up food joy with a monthly market and annual food festivals, there’s culture, commuter links and lashings of community spirit. Independent shops and galleries thrive thrive and visitors are welcomed. Malton has a grand history – the borough of Malton was purchased by the Hon. Thomas Watson Wentworth in 1713. Twelve generations later much of Malton is still owned by his descendants, the Naylor-Leylands, who hold the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate. The Estate, particularly through Tom Naylor-Leyland promotes the economy of Malton and has invested in the Talbot Hotel, York House, Malton's Cookery School & Talbot Yard Food Court. It also helped start events such as the popular Food Lovers Festivals and Monthly Food Markets.
EXPLORE
Here’s a place where within about half a mile you can create your own gin, make your own soap, listen to an author talk and get messy in a cookery class.
The town is packed with creatives – the gourmets make their home in Talbot Yard – opposite the charming Talbot Hotel – you can linger for a good while here, trying delicate macarons made to perfection by Frenchman Florian Poirot (The King and Queen paid a visit....) as well as trying gin at Rare Bird Dsitillery, shopping for sausages at Food2Remember, grabbing a scoop of ice cream at Groovy Moo, picking up artisan coffee at Roost and a fine loaf at Bluebird Bakery. In Market Street find delis, a fishmonger, game dealer and proper grocers.
In the market square there’s much to see – Kemps Books is a favourite of ours (read their reviews and recommendations in Yorkshire Life every month), and mooch in galleries and gift shops to your heart’s content. The Shambles is also great for antiques, artisans and craft shopping.
As you head out of Malton towards Scarborough, look out for Orchard Fields and Lady Spring Wood, the site of the Roman Fort of Derventio Brigantum, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. There's a gloriously leafy walk there that takes you to the Castle Garden, a secret(ish) little haven for wildlife.
Twenty minutes away from town is Wharram Percy, probably the UK's best known deserted medieval village. The recently-restored 18th century watermill at Howsham was a finalist on the popular BBC programme Restoration Village.
Bag a property
There’s a great mix of property in Malton – a quick scan of the ‘for sale’ sites reveals some beauties in town. Sought-after addresses include The Mount, a gracious tree-lined avenue of detached properties and Middlecave Road. A mile or two out of the town there’s rolling countryside and the land of the converted barn or restored farmhouse, perhaps even the odd grand period residence. Properties in Malton had an overall average price of £346,670 over the last year. According to Rightmove. the majority of sales in Malton during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £445,850. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £367,839, with terraced properties fetching £222,389.Overall, sold prices in Malton over the last year were 37% up on the previous year and 34% up on the 2020 peak of £258,626.
Other ways to spend your days in Malton:
Pop to the Palace: A stylish three-screen independent ‘Art Deco’ cinema. With blockbuster films and all the latest movie releases - you can even book a private party and hire a screen!alacemalton.info
Malton Museum tells all about the town’s fascinating history from the Roman heritage to Medieval artefact discoveries, the Georgian boomtime and more!
The popular Roman Festival will also return for the third year on July 21 at Orchard Fields. maltonmuseum.co.uk
Malton Saturday Market: Monthly Arts & Crafts Market takes place 9am-4pm in the market Place.
visitmalton.com
TOWN LIFE
The Gallery and Studio is situated on the Market Place in Malton and has been established for 5 years. Artist Christine Hughes felt the town was the perfect place to open after running a small studio and gallery on the Shambles also in Malton. 'I felt it was the right time to expand. Malton is such a great community of independent shops who support each other, I love having my studio here, as well as a regular customer base which continues to grow. There are so many lovely places to eat too, my favourite has to be The Purple Carrot, Kate cooks the most delicious vegetarian and vegan food, it's addictive! Anyone moving to, or visiting the area has a great choice for shopping for unique art or handmade gifts, made in Malton.'
