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Outdoors

Eden Camp Modern History Museum

MaltonAges 0-16
Courtesy of Eden Camp Modern History Museum

BEST FOR

Ages 0-16

ENTRY

from £15

SETTING

Outdoors

WHERE

Malton

What it’s like

A wartime museum spread across 22 original POW huts, with two playgrounds and an escape-tunnel exercise compound to keep the kids moving.

This one's built around 22 original Prisoner of War huts, each set up as its own interactive scene, so wandering between them is half the fun even before you count the play areas. Kids get proper physical stuff to do too: the Eco-friendly Prisoner of War Exercise Compound for the 5 to 12s has a guard tower, an escape tunnel and a slide, while the under-5s get their own junior area with a tunnel slide, assault course and basket swing. With ages 0 to 16 covered on the play side and huts to explore beyond that, you can stretch a visit to fill most of a day.

Money-wise, book online and it stings a lot less. £17 for an adult and £15 for a child 5 to 16 in advance, versus £20 and £18 if you just turn up on the day, and a family of two adults and two kids goes from £60 to £65 for the privilege of not planning ahead. Under-5s aren't listed as needing a ticket at all. They reckon on 3 to 4 hours for a visit, though plenty stay the whole day, and last entry is 4:30pm so don't roll up mid-afternoon expecting the full run of it.

The site is outdoor as well as indoor, which matters because the play areas close in wet weather, so a rainy day narrows things down to the huts themselves. Most of those huts aren't heated either, so winter visits want a coat rather than just a jumper. There's a café on site with a kids' menu, and you're allowed to bring your own picnic if you'd rather sit out on the grass.

Parking is free for up to 400 cars, which is generous for a site like this, and there's step-free access across one level plus free wheelchairs to borrow if you book ahead. Dogs on leads are welcome round the museum and huts, just not in the playgrounds, so that's worth knowing if you're bringing one along.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
Baby change
Bike parking
Café
Dog friendly
Free parking
Gift shop
Group bookings
Kids menu
Food on site
Outdoor play
Parking
Picnic area
Picnics allowed
Public transport nearby
School visits
Step-free access
Toilets
Vegetarian options
Wheelchair accessible

Need to know

Best for
5 to 12; under-5s get their own play area too
Last entry
4:30pm
Booking
Advance online booking saves money
Parking
Free on site for up to 400 cars
How long to allow
3-4 hours recommended, though some visitors stay all day
Food
WinStan's Bunker Café on site. Children's menu available
Picnics
Own food allowed. Picnic benches and grassed areas throughout site
Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs available free to borrow (pre-book)
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs on leads permitted across museum and display huts
Getting there by bus or train
Malton train station 2.2 miles away
Worth knowing
Buy in advance this June and July and get a free return visit
  • Most of the exhibition huts aren't heated, so wrap up warm in winter
  • £50 notes aren't accepted on site
  • Booking in June and July gets you a free return visit
  • The café and gift shop are only open to paid museum visitors
  • There's no caravan club overnight stay option here

Plan your visit

How much does it cost?

£17 for an adult and £15 for a child 5 to 16 if you book online in advance. Turn up on the day and it's £20 and £18 instead, so booking ahead genuinely saves money here.

Do we need to book in advance?

No, walk-ups are fine at the gate. Booking online just gets you the cheaper price.

What are the opening hours?

10am to 5pm daily, with last entry at 4:30pm. The site is open from 23 March to 5 November 2026.

Is it suitable for a toddler?

There's a junior play area built for under-5s with a tunnel slide, assault course and basket swing, so yes. Just note the play areas shut in wet weather.

What's there for older kids?

The Prisoner of War Exercise Compound is aimed at 5 to 12 year olds, with a guard tower, an escape tunnel and a slide alongside the interactive huts.

Is there parking?

Free on site for up to 400 cars, plus coach and caravan parking. No charge, which is one less thing to budget for.

Can we bring food or is there somewhere to eat?

WinStan's Bunker Café is on site with a children's menu. You can also bring your own picnic and use the benches and grassed areas.

How long should we plan to stay?

They suggest 3 to 4 hours, though some visitors make a full day of it given the number of huts.

What happens if it rains?

The huts themselves stay open, but the play areas close in wet weather, so a rainy visit is more museum than playground.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

It's fully accessible on one level with accessible toilets in Hut 14. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free if you pre-book, and a carer goes in free with a full-price ticket.

Can we bring the dog?

Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed around the museum and display huts, and there's a designated café area for them. They're not allowed in the playgrounds though.

Is there a family ticket?

Family tickets cover various combinations of adults and children, starting at £30 online for two adults and one child up to £70 for two adults and three children.

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