Eden Camp Modern History Museum

About the museum

Eden Camp occupies the site of a prisoner-of-war camp built in 1942, when the War Office took over land near Malton. By mid-1943 a permanent camp of 33 huts stood here. It held Italian and later German prisoners until it closed in 1949, and afterwards the buildings were used for agricultural purposes, including a holiday camp and a Ministry of Agriculture depot.

In 1985 Stan Johnson bought the neglected site. When former Italian prisoners asked to visit, he decided to preserve the camp as a museum rather than redevelop it. The museum opened in March 1987 as the first modern history theme museum, with ten huts furnished as displays.

More huts were opened over the following decades, covering the First World War, wartime life on the home front and conflicts since 1945. The Blitz experience was relaunched in 2022 and the Heritage Hall was added for military vehicles and events. Visitors walk between the original huts, where sound, lighting and reconstructed scenes show everyday life in wartime Britain.

Highlights

• Original prisoner-of-war camp huts with immersive wartime scenes
• Blitz raid experience (Hut 5)
• First World War trench to walk through (Hut 11)
• Battle of the Atlantic, the air war and the Great Escape
• Hut on the Bevin Boys, men conscripted to work in the mines
• Heritage Hall with armoured vehicles

Permanent exhibitions

• The Blitz experience (Hut 5) – An immersive recreation of an air raid, with sound, smoke and flashing lights.
• The First World War (Hut 11) – A hut about the First World War with a reconstructed trench to walk through.
• The Great Escape (Hut 18) – A hut devoted to the story of the Great Escape.

Founded

1987

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are the lower online prices; tickets on the day cost £3 more per adult, concession and child (adult £20). A £1 booking fee applies to online tickets. Military and veteran ID gives £3 off standard admission at the gate (not online). Blue Light Cards are not accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The open-air site is flat with paved main routes, but gravel areas near some huts can be harder to cross. Most huts can be entered at ground level without steps. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free from reception (pre-booking by phone is advised). There are two accessible toilets in the main block and eight designated disabled bays in the main car park. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site. Hut 5 has loud audio, smoke and flashing lights, with signs outside.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Some huts are interactive, and there are two playgrounds. Holiday events run, such as the October half-term Spy Week. Baby changing is available by the main toilet block; there are no changing facilities for older children or adults. Hut 5 (the Blitz) can be intense for young children or anyone sensitive to sound and light. Children under 16 must be with an adult.

Getting there & parking

The museum is just off the A64, signed with brown tourist signs; sat nav postcode YO17 6RT. The Malton to Pickering cycle route passes the museum, and there is secure cycle parking.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

WinStan's Bunker Café and a gift shop, both open to paying museum visitors. There are picnic benches and grassed areas for your own food. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site except the playgrounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 500 guests.

Heritage Hall is the main wedding venue, and meeting and conference rooms are offered for corporate events. Event spaces hold up to 500 seated guests. Hire is available all year, with quotes on request.

Plan your visit