Nature & Bounty – Eating and Exploring from Malton – Yorkshire’s Food Capital
Charles Dickens knew he was onto a good thing when he visited Malton, so inspired that The Counting House on Chancery Lane influenced his famous novel “A Christmas Carol”
Malton is Yorkshire’s Food Capital, famous for its year-round food festivals celebrating local produce and for its trailblazing town centre of independent food stores and award-winning artisans, where you can find anything your taste-buds desire. Not just a place to eat food, this is a place to experience food: from exquisite patisserie to micro-brewing, from the country’s top gelaterie to Yorkshire’s best bread, from fishmongers to greengrocers, it’s locally-made or grown, bursting with fresh local ingredients (and we mean door-step local), and showcasing exceptional craftsmanship – and often in demand in the finest restaurants across the UK!
Today a rejuvenated Malton overflows with artisanal food options – from Macaroons at Florian Poirots to the delight of the “Hairy Bikers” – to a Malton Rascal at independent and award winning coffee house Leoni’s.
Malton is Yorkshire’s Food Capital – and so much more! It’s one of the most satisfying places to shop, with streets and squares brimming with small and unique stores, independently-owned and extraordinary for their range, quality, craftsmanship and care for the customer. Enjoy a rummage, but for a taste of nostalgia also make sure you indulge in the traditional bakers or butchers, pie-makers or patisseries, grocers or gin shops
Head beyond Malton to explore its glorious countryside, with fabulous walks on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, but more besides. See the stunning wildlife art of Robert Fuller at his gallery in Thixendale, marvel at the majesty that is Castle Howard and fire up your senses with a visit to the renowned Wolds Way Lavender.
Itinerary Overview
The icons below highlight the distance, difficulty and theme of this itinerary.
Distance
From 4km to 13km
Days
3
Grade
Moderate
Theme
Food & Drink
Landscape Type
Rolling Countryside
Activities
Walking, Food & Drink Tours
Yorkshire Wolds Way: Nature & Bounty
Here’s everything you need to help you plan your very own active break on the Yorkshire Wolds and Howardian Hills from Malton. Click on the blue arrow tabs below for more information. To save this itinerary to view later, use the Save to My Rucksack button at the top of the page.
- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Food & Drink
- Travel
- Activities & Experiences
- Advice
- Maps, Guidebooks and Merchandise
Itinerary
Based in Malton, Yorkshire’s Food Capital, enjoy 3 days of nearby trips into the beautiful and contrasting countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds and Howardian Hills, returning each evening to the charm and comfort of the dynamic Market Town.
Day 1 - On Top of the Wold
Kick start your day with a coffee from Roost in Talbot Yard, sit back and admire the Roastery, then you will almost be ready to head into the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds for a loop from the charming village of Thixendale. First though sort yourself a great Yorkshire Pack up from Lutt and Turner .
Your 5 mile walk introduces you to the unique charm of the Yorkshire Wolds Dry Valleys. After absorbing the peace and quiet head to the Robert Fuller Gallery to admire his incredible art, whilst learning about all the wildlife that Robert has filmed in the locality, often featured in The One Show.
Thixendale and the Robert Fuller Gallery – a Yorkshire Wolds Way Circular … (outdooractive.com)
Call in at Wharram Percy on your return to Malton. This tranquil location is the most famous of the deserted medieval villages in Britain.
Day 2 - A Grand Day Out
Today is the day for a Grand Day out, and by that we mean the shear splendour of Castle Howard in the Howardian Hills AONB. This incredible building and grounds was described by The Telegraph as “One of the Top Ten Buildings you must visit in your lifetime.
For a further stroll, head across the classic Avenue to the Yorkshire Arboretum, where you can wander at will amongst hidden glades and wildflower meadows, surrounded by a stunning collection of 6000 trees from across the world.
In the evening you will be ready for a drink. You could try the superb tap house of Brass Castle Brewery, where the staff brim with enthusiasm for the beers on offer.
Day 3 - In Big Sky Country
For a final day it’s time to explore the northern escarpment of the Wolds with a cracking 8 mile circular walk (a shorter out and back is an option) from lovely, sleepy Wintringham, with its fine church and white washed cottages. One steep climb later and you can see why it’s called Big Sky Country, with views for miles across the Vale of Pickering to the North York Moors. Rest here to admire the “Enclosure Rites” artwork, a celebration of the important archaeological past of this area.
Wintringham – A Yorkshire Wolds Way Circular Walk • Hiking Route » outdooractive.com
This afternoon you have two nearby options. For a sensual feast head for the Woldies Lavender and Nature Farm, with its 12 acres of lavenders, Butterfly Garden and Secret Garden. Alternatively there are the gardens of Scampston Hall, laid out by Piet Oudolf as a series of “Outdoor” Rooms. It is considered by some to be one of the Great Gardens of the early 21st Century. Whichever place you choose, they both have delightful tea rooms for some sustenance after a good day outside in nature.
Accommodation
There is a wide variety of accommodation in and around Malton to suit different budgets
Talbot Hotel A large Traditional 17th Century Coaching Inn
Mount Hotel, with great views towards the Wolds
Old Lodge, stay in a 17th Century Tudor Mansion
Brambling Fields B&B, situated close to Malton and the Wolds
Ham and Cheese, village pub in nearby Scagglethorpe
Wentworth Arms, traditional pub in nearby Old Malton
Chapter Two, family friendly accommodation in the centre of town
Dawnay Arms, lovely village pub in nearby West Heslerton
Wolds Walk Glamping, a luxury experience with an outstanding view in nearby East Heslerton
Wolds Way Camping and Caravan Site, a delightful camping location near Wintringham
Food & Drink
The Visit Malton website has plenty of information on food & drink options in Malton, including some listed below
MALTON
Chapter One Bistro Good Food Award winner in the heart of Malton
Florio’s Italian Family Friendly Pizzeria since 1984
India The Restaurant Authentic home-style Punjabi cooking
La Trattoria Italian Bistro and Pizzeria
The Mount Hotel with restaurant and Will’s basement bar
No 46 Bar & Restaurant
The New Malton warm & welcoming pub restaurant in the centre of Malton
The Old Lodge dining in a 17th Century Tudor Lodge
Stew & Oyster popular restaurant in the Old Town Hall
The Talbot great seasonal menus on offer in this 17th Century Coaching Inn
Tui’s Thai Restaurant and cocktail bar
Brass Castle popular brewery and tap house in Malton
The Library Speakeasy (if you can find it!)
Leoni’s long established award winning coffee house
Roost Roastery and Coffee House in a lovely location
BEYOND
Cross Keys, Thixendale much loved pub popular with walkers on the Yorkshire Wolds Way
Wolds Way Lavender refreshments in the lovely setting of the Lavender Farm
Scampston Hall enjoy light lunches in the Garden Cafe
Travel
Train/Bus
Malton is really well connected for public transport. It’s station is just one stop from York, which has regular and fast trains between London and Edinburgh.
Malton is also really well served by buses, with the regular Coastliner Service making connections between Leeds, York, Scarborough and Whitby possible.
Two of the recommended walks in this itinerary can be followed using a bus from Malton, the Castle Howard day and the Wintringham day.
To find public transport opportunities go to Traveline
Car
Malton sits on the A64 which is the direct road from York and the A1/M1.
Find the central Market Place on What3Words
Activities & Experiences
There are plenty of activities and experiences to enjoy as part of this 3 day itinerary based around Malton
Gin School at Rare Bird Distillery learn about gin and take home your own bespoke bottle
Malton Food Tour Taste your way around Yorkshire’s Food Capital
Robert Fuller Gallery Visit the amazing gallery of Wildlife Artist Robert Fuller in Thixendale
Wharram Percy Enjoy the tranquillity of Wharram Percy, Britain’s best known deserted medieval village
Castle Howard Admire the splendour of this magnificent Stately House and Gardens
Yorkshire Arboretum An amazing collection of trees from around the world
Wolds Way Lavender Sights and Sounds to amaze the senses
Scampston Hall Gardens See the variety of the different outdoor “rooms”
Malton Museum Discover Malton’s history
Kirkham Priory A peaceful location with a Winston Churchill link
Great Ryedale Maze Visit in Summer to have fun at the maze in Sherburn right by the Yorkshire Wolds Way
Advice
General walking gear is needed but no specialist walking equipment necessary.
The walk at Castle Howard or the Yorkshire Arboretum is fairly gentle.
The walks from Thixendale or Wintringham are moderate, with a few ups and downs which allow great views across the Yorkshire Wolds
We advise that you check opening times and booking restrictions before travelling.
Please check out these links for latest advice when in the countryside
Maps, Guidebooks and Merchandise
The official guidebook and map for the Yorkshire Wolds Way are available from the National Trails Shop along with a wide range of gifts and other merchandise.
The walks at Thixendale and Wintringham can be found on Outdoor Active
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