Eden Camp is located on the A169 just off the A64 turning to Whitby, so either a 35 mins drive to Whitby or from Whitby.
The A169 is always a great drive plus the heather is out in August
We always visit at least once a year as it suits both adults and children alike. There is lots to read, do and see whilst you are there.
My 11 year old had visited with school last year and is always interested reading the signs and visiting each hut in turn. My 8 year old preferred the children’s activity sheet and heading round looking at the clues and finding stamps plus visiting the 2 brilliant play areas – one of these is new and really good fun for children from 2 upwards. I sat in the sunshine and watched her from the bench! (which has felt a rare treat in August this year!)
The ‘Operation Overview’ signs were new this year (I think) and it meant my 8 year old got an overview from her reading the signs with some help from me. (This was great as I felt we both learnt something and she practised reading)
My 11 year old wanted to read everything as she find it all very interesting – she probably could have spent the whole day at Eden Camp, going in and out of the huts.
A bit of history – Originally a prisoner of war camp, it was built on an agricultural plot on the outskirts of Malton in early 1942, by a small contingent of army personnel who had travelled from Castle Douglas, Scotland. Their task was to construct a barbed wire enclosure and erect tents to form a temporary camp to accommodate Italian prisoners of war that had been captured by Allied forces in North Africa. The camp’s location on Eden House Road earned it the name ‘Eden Camp’ and its first residents, 250 Italian prisoners were escorted from Oldham and marched through Malton to their new home. Once settled, they began work on constructing a larger and more permanent camp.
Construction of Eden Camp began early in 1942 and it’s first inmates were 250 Italian prisoners, delivered to Malton by train and marched to the site.
There are a lot of huts to visit and go through the years plus there are loads of vehicles also.
We absolutely loved our day out and whether it’s sunny or rainy there is enough to do to spend at least 3 hours here (possibly more if you’re adults and not with a 8 year old).
We did play a few of the games as we walked around the site – tin can alley plus a few others which we really enjoyed.
Link here to their website for prices – https://edencamp.co.uk/visit-us/ticket-prices/
Plus there is a cafe and a gift shop (my children are obsessed with gift shops this year so I was glad there was practical things to buy!)
Great day out.
Thanks Michelle