Coastliner, culinary magnificence & the 81 all combine in Malton this Bank Holiday weekend!

It’s all happening in Malton this bank holiday weekend with the Malton Food Lovers Festival – which is a celebration of Yorkshire’s finest produce and cooking and the ingredients for a momentous weekend for all!

Award-winning Malton has long been bestowed with the accolade of being “The Yorkshire Food Capital” for its culinary brilliance. It’s pies and pastries, in particular get massive plaudits and are famous across the globe! No surprise, therefore, that Malton is hosting this incredible event that is a magnet for food lovers from far afield. It really is a fabulous market town, set in marvellous scenery and folk can get there on two amazing bus routes – the Coastliner 840 or 843 both from Leeds and York. The 840 also goes to and from Whitby and the 840 serves Scarborough. The East Yorkshire Buses 81 from York to Malton is also a treat too, where the customer service is awesome. Single fares on both routes are only £2 – which is a scarcely believable bargain! Entry at the Festival is complementary! There’s no such thing as a free meal, but this is the nearest thing to it, so tuck in on a trip on the Coastliner for a delectable delight.

Credit: Richard Ponter on behalf of Visit Malton

The Food Festival is an infusion of tasty treats and tutelage – artisan stalls, sumptuous street food, celebrity chefs, booking signing sessions, a barnstorming bar, live music as well as demonstrations, talks and tastings! It is going to be a scrumptious giant gourmet celebration, like never before and as soon as your bus arrives in the town, you will feel an amazing vibe, hustle and bustle. In fact, you’ll scent it stewing on the bus too, where the customer service and scenery on the 840 and 843 has also won awards!

Credit: Milner Creative on behalf of Visit Malton

On the Demo Stage at the Festival is a series of delicious talks from renowned restauranteurs, chefs and experts – Malton’s very own Ollie Farrar at Forty-Six, kicks off proceedings, and Georgie Swinson and Rob Porter from the town’s Yorkshire Baker make an appearance, so too Gilly Robinson from The Cook’s Place. Further afield, there’s talks from The Grand in York, as well as York Minster’s very own Refrectary and Dan Graham, winner of the 2019 Great British Bake Off – among many others, including Alex from York Wines, just to prove it’s not all about munching, but a good meal needs washing down with some fine wine! It’s a star-studded line up on the menu here!

There’s also some fun-filled workshops whisked up for all the family, including storytelling, a mini-disco, crafts and face painting and ‘creative chaos’ – where children and adults get the opportunity to create a community canvas. No napkins needed here! Watch out for ‘Magical Quests’ which are a series of free themed shows, taking place at Kemps Bookshop.

As if this wasn’t enough, there’s a vintage funfair, brass bands and buskers schedule for the weekend and the Malton Sculpture Trail, with over 20 pieces of art spread across the town centre and downloadable maps available to direct folk to sculptured animals, birds and abstract designs.

Credit: Richard Ponter on behalf of Visit Malton

Malton’s delicious, not least because of its renowned gastro brilliance, showcased particularly in Talbot Yard, with six artisan food producers, but also for its invigorating market place with its world famous pies and pastries and The Shambles, which is an eclectic street, home to the most vibrant and varied mix of independent shops, as is the amazing High Street.

A trip to the Food Festival really is a perfect day, topped and tailed with hors d’oeuvres or dessert by the stunning scenery on the 840 and 843 buses as they find their ways across the North Yorkshire Moors. There’s scenic views of blissful heathland, lush green valleys, winding walking trails, soft, undulating fields and farmyard and with coastal charm and maritime magic whipped up in  Whitby and Scarborough.

Be sure if you are coming from Scarborough or ending there, to check out the amazing open top Beachcomber bus along the seaside for some real, roasting thrills and spills or if you are touching York, then take some time out for the brilliant York City Sightseeing tour too.

Here’s a couple of links to find out more about these lovely services… Beachcomber – Great Scenic Journeys  City Sightseeing Tour of York – Great Scenic Journeys

Credit: Milner Creative on behalf of Visit Malton

The Food Festival starts at 9am this Saturday (25th May) and 10am on Sunday and Monday (26th and 27th May). Make sure you make it to Malton, dine out and devour the delights of this showpiece event! To plan your journey on the 840, 843 or 81 go to:

Coastliner 840 Leeds – York – Whitby – Great Scenic Journeys

Coastliner 843 Leeds – York – Scarborough – Great Scenic Journeys

81 – York to Malton, via Claxton, Sheriff Hutton and Castle Howard | East Yorkshire (eastyorkshirebuses.co.uk)

And to plan your itinerary for the fab Food Festival, go to

MALTON FOOD LOVERS FESTIVAL | SAT 25, SUN 26 & MON 27 MAY 2024 — Visit Malton