Malton Museum Displays for the 2026 Season

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Malton Museum will reopen for the 2026 summer season on Saturday 4 April 2026, welcoming visitors back to explore a new range of displays inspired by the town’s rich and varied past.

The museum will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30am to 3:30pm until early November. With only two gallery rooms available, the displays are refreshed each winter so that more of the museum’s extensive collection can be brought into public view. Admission for the 2026 season is £5 per adult, while children can enter free of charge.

New Themes for 2026

This year, each of the museum’s two rooms has been given its own distinct theme, highlighting different aspects of Malton’s colourful history.

Roman Myth and Mysticism

In the western room, visitors can explore Roman Myth and Mysticism, an exhibition examining ancient superstition and the role of magic in Roman Delgovicia. Among the featured objects is a striking smith pot, made in the pottery kilns at Norton. Its applied decoration includes blacksmith’s tools, wheels and arms, and vessels of this kind are believed to have been linked to the worship of a smith god.

The display also includes a mysterious chalk figurine from an even earlier period. This intriguing object may once have been used as an offering to pagan gods, adding another layer to the story of belief and ritual in the area.

Monks, Merchants and Medicine

In the eastern room, the focus turns to Monks, Merchants and Medicine, tracing the forces that shaped Old Maltune and St Mary’s Priory. Visitors can discover more about the Gilbertine monks and the merchants who helped bring prosperity to the town.

The museum’s displays team has also recreated the interior of a Victorian pharmacy, offering a glimpse into the remedies and treatments once used for a wide range of ailments. This display has been developed in close collaboration with volunteers from the Malton & Norton Heritage Centre, who have helped showcase medical items from the Woodhams-Stone Collection.

Events Beyond the Museum

The museum’s programme extends beyond its gallery spaces, with town tours and summer lectures offering further opportunities to discover Malton’s heritage.

Visitors can also look ahead to Malton Roman Festival V on Sunday 19 July 2026. Discounted early bird tickets are currently available for this popular event.