Shopkeeper’s daughter Liz Kemp founded the eponymous Kemps General Store in the heart of Malton in 2017 and it is also home to Kemps Books. She is passionate about the delights of her adopted home of Malton. Later this year, she’s opening Kemps Cooks for foodies and a crowdfunder has been launched to support this
Popular coffee house, The Purple Carrot (Image: Newsquest) MORNING
I’d probably head to the Purple Carrot cafe for sticky chai tea. This place is full of delicious things like squidgy amaretto biscuits and THE best samosas! It’s friendly and quirky with a lovely atmosphere – head upstairs for a table by the window and watch the world go by.
If you fancy a walk, then head to Orchard Fields – a lovely spot with a bit of history that many people don’t know about. The area is home to Malton’s Roman Fort which has been listed by English Heritage. The first excavations began in the 1930s and the site has been featured on ITV’s Time Team. What is left of the fort site is an unevenly shaped grass field with banks and ditches, but with many hidden stories to discover. You can join a tour with Malton Museum to delve deeper.
If you like ‘doing’ then Malton is a great place – try a cookery course with Gilly Robinson at Cook’s Place, make gin at Rare Bird Distillery, craft your own soap or candles at Cosy Cottage or unleash your inner artist with on a blacksmith’s course at Environmental Arts.
When it comes to shopping there are plenty of independent stores and galleries to browse. Obviously you’re spoiled for choice for gourmet food in ‘Yorkshire’s Food Capital’ – head to Talbot Yard to meet the artisans, browse interesting wine at Derventio and go wholesome at Beecham Weigh in Yorkersgate where owner Davina sources amazing health foods and is full of knowledge.
See homewares at Bowley & Jackson and Hare & Wilde in Market Street, clothing at The Rusty Fox, and Swallow & Sons and Bias.
There might be an author event at Kemps! The Milton Rooms has a really varied programme of talks, concerts, classes, comedy and more and there’s also cinema in town. On a sunny night there’s nothing nicer than cocktail in the garden at The Talbot overlooking the countryside – it is a good base for stay in the town. Or you can head to a secret speakeasy at McMillans wine bar! A little door to The Library takes you a hideaway where you can keep your own bottle in a locker to return to. Whisky lovers will enjoy chatting with the knowledgeable owners Jim and James McMillan over a dram. For dining we enjoy eating at Forty Six in the Market Place – they do a good Sunday lunch.
Don’t miss in 2025
Food Lovers’ Feasting
Malton Monthly Food Market takes place August 9, September 13, October 11, and November 8 this year. The Christmas Festival in on December 6&7. The markets bring specialist stalls, street food, music and foodie fun. Popular with all those who care about where their food is sourced, the market is set against the magnificent backdrop of St Michael’s Church. 9am to 3pm.
Marathon du Malton
Inspired by the Marathon Du Medoc in France’s wine region, the Malton 10k is a ‘Gourmet Wineathlon’ going through an area of Yorkshire famous for its local produce & beautiful countryside. Starting and finishing in Malton’s pretty Market Place, this unique 10k course offers contestants the chance to nibble & sip their way around the treat laden course.
September 21
visitmalton.com
Some major murals in Malton
Malton’s streets will stop you in your tracks with vibrant wall murals telling the town’s story.
Yorkshire Pudding Mural
Completed in 2019, The Original Yorkshire Pudding Recipe is a tribute to a giant of British cookery writing – ‘Hannah Glasse’.
In 1747 Hannah published ‘The Art Of Cookery’, the most popular cookbook of the 18th Century including for the first time in print, the world famous “Yorkshire Pudding”. Despite the book’s popularity however, Hannah lost control of the copyright and died penniless and largely forgotten. In Malton this first piece of public art aims to celebrate her contribution to Yorkshire and world cuisine and keep her name alive.
Talbot Yard Mural
Created in 2015, the ‘Talbot Yard Food Court’ sign was a practical roadside advert for the popular food court but also intended to give the town an iconic ‘ghost sign’ of its own. As one of the most loved locations in Malton, Talbot Yard and its retro sign are known across Yorkshire.
Visit Malton Pink Cow
The Visit Malton Pink Cow was added in 2017 as part of the food town project incorporating Antonio Carluccio’s now famous quote about Malton – “Yorkshire’s Food Capital”. It has become a popular backdrop for visitors to take photos, as has the Yorkshire Pudding mural opposite.
The Shambles
The Shambles is certainly one of Malton’s quirkiest streets that’s full of unique independent shops. This historic row of shops is proud and passionate about arts and crafts, sourcing as much of their materials and goods from the local area, which is certainly true of art duo Gale and Temple and also metal fabricators, Environmental Art.
Originally trained as a jeweller and as a weaver, Emma Gale and Sallie Temple have diversified into producing a range of wonderful gifts including making beeswax candles with wax supplied by their own hive!
Creating handmade treasures in their very own forge, Environmental Art pride themselves in making one-of-a-kind gifts from upcycled materials.
The Woodlark is another wonderful example of one of Malton’s crafts people, sourcing wood from locally felled trees to make beautiful chopping boards and homewares.
Looking for 1940’s vintage treasures from fashion to floristry equipment and more? Why not pop into The Shambles Vintage & Hair Salon at the top of The Shambles and take a look. Christine has been creating fabulous nostalgic 40’s hairstyles for over four decades in her salon.
Ryedale Remakes
A bustling hub for upcycling and reusing unwanted items. The not-for-profit company aims to make it easy to be sustainable allowing visitors to buy, donate, remake or even take part in upcycling workshops. Artists and crafts people who specialise in a variety of crafts and trades, have helped to transform once forgotten items into unique, useable pieces again.
