48 HOURS IN… Malton

This pre y market town is an antiques lover’s dream and, as Yorkshire’s Food Capital, it’s perfect for a mini break

Few seasons are be!er suited to visiting an English market town than summer. With the sun warming the buildings’ old stones, the hubbub of unhurried visitors echoing along the pavements and the promise of hunting down a bargain in a newly discovered shop, the country’s regional towns are at their most vibrant. Even more so if you time your visit for market day, and wander among rows of canopied stalls choosing from posh sausage rolls, homemade jams, justpicked veg and melt-the-secondthey’re-scooped ice- creams.

Malton is no exception. Roughly halfway between York and Scarborough, this thriving Yorkshire market town has long drawn walkers with its easy access to the North York Moors. More recently, however, it’s gained a reputation as a foodie hub, thanks to a booming artisan producer scene and an annual summer food festival so successful it’s been dubbed the gastronomic Glastonbury. That might be over- egging the Yorkshire pudding slightly but the Malton Food Lovers Festival’s recipe of modern local produce (think cra # gin made with Yorkshire rhubarb) gently sprinkled with buzzy food names and chef demos now draws crowds of 40,000.

This year’s event has, sensibly, been shi #ed from May to August. Before then, time a trip for July to coincide with live music at the town’s Meadowfest music festival. Or make the most of heritage a!ractions opening up over May and June and spend a day exploring the Second World War-themed Camp Eden museum, set within a former POW camp on the edge of town (don’t miss the homemade scones at the vintage-style cafe on site).

Opened in Malton in 2004 (and now with a second outlet in nearby Helmsley), interiors store

Between the Market Place and the Ca!le Market is The Shambles, a lane lined with timber- canopied, 19th- century shop fronts. Here you’ll "nd

a ra % of small independent stores, from antiques dealers to ethical gi % shops. Make a beeline for Gale & Temple and select from woven/silk scarves and jewellery as well as tote bags made from vintage-style fabrics, candles and ceramics made by Yorkshire cra %speople.

01653 609310; galeandtemple.co.uk

FACING PAGE Gastronomes enjoy all manner of fresh produce at the Malton Food Lovers Festival in summer, which draws crowds of over 40,000. BELOW FROM LEFT Eden Camp museum’s cafe, decked out with Second World War memorabilia; pick up a wall sconce perhaps or a charming vintage jug at Bowley & Jackson.

RIGHT, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT An enticing display at Bowley & Jackson; the Grade I-listed gardens at Castle Howard; mosscoloured walls and chintz bed curtains embellish a bedroom at The Talbot Hotel; bold blue walls, Cromwellian-style chairs and an open fire create atmosphere in The Talbot Hotel’s bar; one of co-owner Sallie Temple’s handwoven scarves on sale at Gale & Temple; the restored Victorian conservatory looks out over Scampston Walled Garden; bouquets of locally grown flowers on sale at Gale & Temple; just-baked sourdough loaves at The Bluebird Bakery. LEFT The Market Place’s historic buildings house a diverting collection of galleries, cafes, delis and independent shops.