Malton Museum
Independent archaeology museum in Malton's Subscription Rooms, built around finds from the Roman fort of Derventio.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Malton Museum first opened in 1935 in the Milton Rooms. In 1982 its collection moved to Malton Town Hall, where it was run by volunteers. When the lease ended in April 2012 the museum had to close there because of the high commercial rent. In 2013 it reopened in two rooms of the Subscription Rooms on Yorkersgate, and in 2015 it employed its first paid member of staff in more than 85 years.
The core of the collection comes from excavations at the Roman fort at Malton, called Derventio, between 1925 and 1970. Gifts from the public of objects from Malton, Norton and the Ryedale area have added items from all periods, including the metal-detecting collection of the late Jim Halliday and a group of local pictures. Altogether the museum holds about 1,100 standard boxes of finds, of which 96% are archaeological; only a small part can be displayed at any one time, so the display cases change regularly.
Malton Museum is an independent charity run with volunteers. It offers new exhibitions each season, school sessions and handling boxes, adult talks, town tours and a Roman festival, and it is raising funds for a new museum building.
Highlights
- Finds from the Roman fort of Derventio
- About 1,100 boxes of archaeological material, shown in changing displays
- Hands-on activities such as dressing as a Roman soldier and grinding corn
- Children's trails and activities
- Seasonal exhibitions and town tours
Permanent exhibition
- Malton's archaeology collections – Displays of Roman, medieval and later finds from Malton and Norton, with a rolling programme of changes to the display cases.
- Founded
- 1935
- Operated by
- Malton Museum CIO (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freeAccompanied children are free. |
| Groups | –Tailored group visits for schools and adult groups can be arranged by email. |
Adults pay £5 and accompanied children are free; all income supports the independent museum and its new exhibitions each season.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance has three stone steps with handrails, and the museum is currently unable to provide access for wheelchairs and large prams. The two exhibition rooms and the entrance lobby are on the same level. A large-print version of the exhibition text is available at the welcome desk. There are no toilets on site; the nearest public toilets are in the Market Place, and the nearest accessible parking is in the Market Square. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Children are admitted free, which makes a visit good value for families. Activities include Fido's I-Spy trail, dressing up as a Roman legionary, grinding corn and making a mosaic, and there is a Lucius' Challenge activity set for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Malton railway station · 5-min walk
The museum is about a 5-minute walk from Malton's bus and railway stations. Malton station is on the York to Scarborough line with hourly services in both directions, and Coastliner buses from Leeds, York, Whitby and Scarborough serve the bus station. From Railway Street, turn left onto Yorkersgate; the museum is less than 200 metres along on the right.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no car park. The nearest public car park is in the Market Square, free for two hours; at weekends parking is also free at Navigation Wharf.
Satnav postcode YO17 7AB.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Museum shop
There is a small shop but no café; delis, cafés and pubs, including those at nearby Talbot Yard, are within walking distance.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography is welcome. |
| Good to know | The museum suggests allowing at least one hour. Schools can book Roman Legacy sessions with handling boxes, prehistory boxes and local study resources, and adult groups can book outreach talks. Town tours and lectures are listed on the events pages. |
