Roman Festival
Sunday 20th July
Join us for our fourth Roman Festival on Sunday 20th July 2025 from 10:30 am to 4.00 pm, as we celebrate life in Roman Delgovicia a.k.a. modern day Malton and Norton with an action packed day full of fun for the whole family.
Email us with any questions: [email protected]
To Book Your Tickets
To book tickets visit our Malton Museum Shop
Carers and accompanied children (U14) go free!
Please retain a copy of your ‘Order Confirmation’ ticket to present at the gate, unless you have been issued with an e-ticket.
Tickets are also available at the gate, and we accept cash or card payments.
Living History
Our fourth Roman Festival will include horseback displays from Equistry Roman Cavalry, live-action demonstrations from the Legio VI Victrix, the Brigantes of Wincobank Hill and performances by aerialist Lena Alani. Our encampment and living history area will be its biggest ever, as we welcome TWO new groups to Malton: Longthorpe Legion and Eburakon.
These well-known re-enactmentors will also have military encampments that demonstrate the changes in military equipment and Roman life throughout 400 years of Roman occupation of Britannia.
Being experimental archaeologists these groups live and breathe life in the Legion of Roman Britannia, their equipment is as correct as current knowledge allows and they will happily chat about any aspect of Roman life.
Children's Activities
As last year there will be plenty to keep the children happy including mosaic and clay lamp making, learning to become an artisan painter on some wall plaster, as well as ‘archaeological digs’, and the chance to dress up as an Ancient Britain or a Roman Soldier.
Our most popular activity is painting a sword and shield then ‘signing on’ to the Children’s Roman Army! A Centurion will put all recruits through their paces assisted by members of visiting legionnaires. Will your little soldiers have what it takes to join the legion?!
Picture Credit Charlotte Graham
Staff and children from the Roman Museum in Malton taking part in Malton Roman Festival
Lend me your ears!
Our authors tent allows the best fiction, factual and children’s authors to share their research, stories and viewpoints.
This year’s authors are:
Simon Turney, author of Marius’ Mules, Tales of the Empire and the Praetorian Guard series.
Clive Ashman, local author of historical crime fiction book Mosaic and others.
Children’s authors Kate Cunningham with Vlad the Flea in Rome and Robin Price with Spartapus.
Historian Dr Simon Elliott and Classicist Julian Morgan sharing his passion for Latin.
Roman Interest Groups
For adults, there will be a ‘mini Malton Museum’ and displays from Roman interest groups in the region, including Yorkshire Archaeology & Historical Society, MAP Archaeology as well as the Battle of Stamford Bridge Heritage Society who will be bringing some axes for throwing!
Other Activities
MAP Archaeology
Festival sponsors MAP Archaeology will be demonstrating a very hands-on side of archaeology: finds cleaning and sorting. See what they’ve found and what it reveals about Roman life.
University of York Archaeology Department
Academics from the University of York Archaeology Department will be displaying and discussing finds from recent digs held in the field adjacent to Orchard Field.
Murton Park – New for 2025!
Roman enthusiasts from Murton Park will be running family friendly writing and drawing activities.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge Axe Throwing
There will be an opportunity for axe throwing thanks to The Battle of Stamford Bridge re-enactors.
Sylvankin – Plumbata throwing and woodworking
Courtesy of our friends at Sylvankin, Malton Museum is delighted to announce that Plumbata throwing, traditional crafts and Roman woodworking will be available at our festival on 21st July at Orchard Field, Malton.
Immerse yourself in the work and culture of the Romans with Sylvankin, learn traditional Roman woodworking methods and craft your own equipment or structures! The woodworking costs £37 for 5 hours under the supervision of re-enactors posing as captured Roman Tribesmen, and you can dip in and out of this activity as you wish.
If training and sport are what you’re after, then try your hand at launching our ‘Barbs of Mars’ plumbata like the Romans did in the heat of battle!
Plumbatae or Martiobarbuli were lead-weighted darts carried by infantrymen in the Roman army. The plumbata throwing will cost £2 for 5 throws, with a bonus of 5 more for hitting the bullseye.
Gardener Giles
Gardener Giles will be sharing his knowledge of bee keeping, honey making and wax products.
York Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers
Demonstrating traditional textile crafts, the York Guild will show how crucial textiles were for all Romans.
Ethos Heritage
Ethos Heritage will be sharing aspects of Roman life.
Tasty food, drink and refreshments
We will of course have food and drink on offer with Bistro Guy bringing his sour dough pizzas, as well as Carol’s Sweet Treats, Greek Street Food, Wilson & Co. Ices, Dutch Pancake Co., Crossroads Brewery Mead.
Other Information
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
Carers tickets We recognise that some visitors may require the support of a carer while visiting Malton Roman Festival. Carers can get in free on the gate on production of their carers card. No ticket required.
Pedestrian access to the festival is via Old Maltongate (What3words: counts.sounding.blindfold) and Sheepfoot Hill (What3Words: bronzes.workroom.picked). Please note that there is no vehicular access via Old Maltongate during the festival.
Car parking is accessed via Sheepfoot Hill. If following SatNav, please use the postcode YO17 7EF, (What3Words: bronzes.workroom.picked). Priority disabled car parking is available: please let our car parking attendants know if you require this.
We are grateful to Derventio Wines for the use of their site for car parking.
Please note:: The fort site is uneven in many places and whilst efforts have been made to make sure it is as level as it can be, we advise that you wear suitable footwear and are cautious at all times moving around the field
For your comfort and safety, toilets, and first aid service are provided.
How to get tickets
To book tickets visit our Malton Museum Shop
How do I get there?
Car Parking
There is parking available at Derventio Wines at Tate Smith on Sheepfoot Hill, Malton, YO17 7DX
Download our Directions Map
There are also several car parks in Malton and Norton, some are free and others are Pay & Display; check Parkopedia for current details. Wentworth Street is the nearest and largest car park in Malton Wentworth Street Car Park Ryedale YO17 7JR
Journey planners – for those not using a SatNav, various online journey planners are available, such as AA Route Planner
The Festival site is within easy walking distance of Malton Railway Station and Malton Bus Station. We encourage you to use public transport where possible.
Ways to Sponsor The Event
BACKING OUR BALES!
Would you like to be an important part of our Roman Festival?
This year sees the return of our popular Festival Speakers’ Zone to feature authors, historians, and archaeological specialists and we want to create seating for everyone who would like to come and enjoy our fantastic programme on the day.
As our Festival is located on top of the remains of Malton Roman Fort, we cannot use normal chairs, so instead will be seating everyone on a bale of hay – and that’s where you come in! To make sure we have enough seating for everyone, you can sponsor a bale of hay for just £5 and have your name listed as a sponsor at the Festival and on our website.
So ‘Back a Bale’ bench and donate £5 via our link here.
Please note that if you like to support us as a business we have a dedicated link ‘Give a Little’ and ‘Do a Lot’.
Opportunities for Businesses
GIVE A LITTLE – DO A LOT
As we celebrate the 4th year of our popular Roman Festival, we recognise that many businesses cannot afford to donate large amounts of sponsorship, which is why we are asking for just £50 to help develop our Festival for everyone in Malton, Norton and the surrounding areas to enjoy.
Last year’s festival brought 2000 people into Malton, helping to put Malton on the map and increasing spending in local businesses.
For your donation you will receive an invitation to our sponsor’s evening at Malton Museum, to have a private view of the collection, meet the Trustees and enjoy a drink with a Roman Legionary or two! Plus, your logo will appear in our Festival programme as one of our sponsors.
To ‘Give a Little’ and ‘Do a Lot’ donate via our link here.
MAJOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We are also offering businesses the opportunity to be a major sponsor for the Festival, find out more here.
Volunteer On The Day:
Would you like free entry for yourself to the festival?
You just need to join our band of stewards and volunteer for a minimum of 2 hours between 6am set up to clear up after the event. Training is provided and must be completed by all volunteers before the day.
To volunteer email us at: [email protected]
