Malton Museum is hosting its popular Roman Festival for its fifth year this month, bringing a massive lineup of historical re-enactments and family activities to the site of the town’s old Roman fort. Taking place on Sunday 19th July, the event invites families to explore Orchard Field, which will be transformed into a bustling pocket of Roman Britannia.
This year’s festival boasts the event’s largest ever re-enactment village and living history area, where Legionnaires and Roman Britons will share what life was like in Malton around 200AD. Visitors can watch live military displays, Roman cavalry demonstrations from the brand-new addition “The Northern Horse,” and recreations of ancient entertainment, while tasting Roman delicacies cooked freshly on-site.
The festival is also welcoming two acclaimed historical authors. Terry Deary, the creator of Horrible Histories, returns to the festival to showcase his latest book, Revolting: A Riotous History of Rebellions and Revolutions. He is joined for the first time by Lindsey Davis, the globally admired author of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries Roman fiction series.
Organiser of the Malton Roman Festival, Louise Lewis, said: ‘The fifth Malton Roman Festival is nearly upon us! Held on top of the Roman Fort in Malton, it promises to be a great day out for all the family.’
Lewis commented: ‘The Kids Roman Army lines up for training at 1 pm and 3 pm, join the Legion and march around the fort!’
Alongside the military drills, children can take part in new activities such as making terracotta air-dry clay pots and laurel wreaths, alongside popular favourites like shield and sword painting, mosaic making, helmet painting, and sorting through real archaeological finds.
Local experts, archaeologists, and researchers from York University, MAP Archaeology, the York Roman Bath Museum, and the Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society will also be on hand. Visitors can also meet frequent visitor and TV historian Dr Simon Elliot, known for his appearances on documentaries and History Hit podcasts, who will be sharing stories of Ancient Rome.
Newly appointed Museum Coordinator, Emily Moore, said: ‘I am eagerly anticipating my first Roman Festival as Museum Coordinator. Working with our wonderful volunteers to bring this vibrant event to life has been a highlight of my short time at the museum. I am looking forward to seeing Orchard Field transformed into Roman Malton on 19 July.’
Chairman of Malton Museum, Phil Crabtree, said: ‘Malton Museum will be holding its very popular Roman Festival again at Orchard Fields on Sunday 19th July.”
Chairman Crabtree commented: “This family-focused event draws visitors from across North Yorkshire and beyond, and this year will be better than ever with well-known authors Terry Deary and Lindsey Davis talking about their books together with other well-known authors such as Simon Elliott and Robin Price, as well as lots of children-focused activities. We are delighted to have the support of Kemps Books, Cllr Lindsay Burr, North Yorkshire Council, Malton & Norton Lions, and Malton Rotary.’
Run almost entirely by local volunteers, the festival celebrates the rich Roman heritage of the area. For more details, visitors can check the Malton Museum website.
