A Roman feel around Ryedale

Providing a base from which to explore Ryedale, Malton and Norton are worth visiting in their own right.

On the A64 midway between Scarborough and York, the two towns, both with a strong Roman history, are separated only by the River Derwent.

Malton is the administrative capital of Ryedale with an historic market place and church at its heart.

The Romans established a fort and settlement in the town in AD 71 and a pleasant picnic area, Orchard Fields, has now been established on its site at Old Maltongate.

The results and finds from past excavations of the site are on permanent display in Malton Museum which has one of the most important collections of Roman artefacts in Yorkshire.

Malton still has one of the largest town centre cattle markets where farmers from throughout the area gather to auction their stock every Tuesday and Friday, while Saturday is market day in the bustling Market Place.

Just a stone’s throw across the river is Norton. Norton’s main street also has a wide range of traditional shops and pubs and the town has a swimming pool, golf course and indoor bowls centre.