I visited Eden Camp Modern History Museum on a school trip in primary school, and it was one of my favourite school trips. It made such an impact on me as a child, so I was excited to be invited back and take my son. I had planned on taking him one day when he learns about World War II in school.
In this post, we’ll share our own experience alongside a roundup of other Eden Camp museum reviews to help you plan your visit.
Eden Camp is in North Yorkshire, on the outskirts of Malton. It started as a prisoner of war camp during World War II, but later became an award-winning museum.
It was built in 1942, it first held Italian prisoners but later housed German POWs. The wooden posts and smaller barbed-wire fences kept the camp secure and farmers from nearby areas worked with prisoners for local agriculture needs. Over time, the site changed into an agricultural holiday camp before becoming a more permanent museum space showcasing different aspects of WW history.
From POW camp to museum
Eden Camp began as a POW camp during World War II. Prisoners lived in barrack huts and tents until they were released when the war ended in 1948. The camp was then bought in 1985 by a local businessman who invested money into creating the museum. In 1987, it reopened as Eden Camp Museum where you learn about everything from the rise of the Nazi party, prisoners of war and the end of the war.
What’s at Eden Camp?
As you can see from our Eden Camp modern history museum photos, 22 of the original huts have been transformed. into exhibitions and reconstructions of scenes from wartime Britain. There are reconstructions of shops, people’s homes, a U-Boat and even a recreation of the Blitz, which lets you experience the smells of life during the war, as well as the sounds of bombs and people screaming. It’s a bit harrowing to think that this is something that people lived through.
You can also see the cramped conditions of life inside the mess huts and how people experienced daily life during this time. The prisoners were treated very well there (especially considering how German POW camps were!), and there’s a section that shows their living quarters and some stories of prisoners who later came back to visit when it had reopened as a museum.
You can learn about food ration efforts, about the war vehicles used, the women’s land army, the history of other wars as well as learn about how local people played a part. I particularly loved the hut that showed a high street, and it had Yates’ Iron Mongers, which still stands today in Maltons as a hardware store and garden centre.
There’s also a German U-boat model to explore, along with exhibits about later conflicts like the Korean War. The U-boat is one of the huts that really got my attention as a child – it’s very loud, oppressive and gives you the feeling of what it’s like to be on a U-boat.
Military vehicles and artefacts
Gas masks and examples of air raid shelters were everywhere during the war, and you get to see them in real life at Eden Camp. It also displays military vehicles such as tanks, old cars and models of human torpedoes. There are uniforms, weapons and food products that were used back then. There’s honestly so much to see it’s hard to take it all in during just one visit.
Interactive displays for all ages
The interactive displays are great for all age groups, making the visit engaging for everyone. Younger children enjoy hands-on activities, while adults explore detailed wartime stories.
Special Events
- There’s often special events and workshops on, especially during school holidays, so check before your visit!
- There’s Living History Weekends where reenactors dress up in period clothing around the camp.
- Eden Camp also offer school trips and educational visits.
On-site facilities and food options
Eden Camp has clean facilities, making it easy for families to enjoy their visit. There are toilets in key areas, baby-changing stations, and a “go” area for kids to stretch out. It’s free to use the car park.
A café on-site serves hot meals, snacks, and drinks—perfect after exploring the exhibits. We had a light lunch there, I had a scone with jam and cream, my mother-in-law had soup, and my husband had a sandwich. We brought a packed lunch for my son.
You can also bring your own food to eat at one of the picnic spots around the camp.
Accessibility
The camp has ramps and wide paths for wheelchairs. Accessible toilets are also available on-site.
Eden Camp was open during the February half-term; it will open again for the 2025 season on the 29th of March 2025.
What’s New at Eden Camp in 2026
Right, a proper update — because enough has changed that it’s worth a section of its own.
The biggest new addition is a Cold War tank — one of Britain’s largest — which arrived on site in August 2026. It’s on display in the grounds and from what I can tell, it’s brilliant. If your visit was before summer 2026, honestly it might be worth going back for this alone.
There’s also a Women at War exhibit that was added in 2025, focusing on the Land Girls, the ATS, and the women who kept factories running. I’m really glad this exists — it’s a story that doesn’t get enough space in a lot of WWII museums, and from the reviews it’s been very well received.
A newer addition I think is really thoughtful: ‘Quiet Mornings’. On these sessions, the audio effects and flashing lights throughout the exhibits are turned down, making it much calmer for visitors with sensory sensitivities. Worth knowing if you’re visiting with anyone who might find the usual immersive atmosphere a bit much.
Win-Stan’s Bunker Cafe (the on-site café) now has vegan and gluten-free options on the menu, which it didn’t used to. And there’s a mobile app you can download before you go — it uses your location to trigger extra information and stories from the exhibits as you walk around. Worth downloading if you’ve got older kids or if you’re particularly into the history and want to go deeper.
On prices: there’s currently a Summer of Savings scheme where adult tickets start from £14.75, and you can save up to £24 on a family ticket by booking online.
They also run Living History Weekends throughout the year where reenactors bring the 1940s to life across the whole site. These fill up, so if you spot one on the calendar when you’re planning your visit, it’s worth booking specifically for one of those weekends.
Getting There and Visitor Info (2026)
Address: Freehold Lane, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6RT. Just off the A64 (the York to Scarborough road) at the junction with the A169.
Parking: Free on site. No faff.
Phone: 01653 697777
How long to allow: Minimum three hours, but four or five is better. It’s bigger than it looks and there’s genuinely loads to see.
Booking: You can book online in advance and get discounts for doing so. Worth doing rather than just turning up.
Accessibility: Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the entrance. Pathways have been improved with smoother surfaces and ramps. The Quiet Mornings sessions (see above) are also available for visitors with sensory needs — check their website for dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eden Camp suitable for young children? While some huts (like the Blitz and U-Boat) are loud and immersive, there is plenty for children to enjoy, including military vehicles to see and an adventure playground. It is a popular spot for school trips for a reason!
How long does it take to walk around Eden Camp? With 22 huts and various outdoor exhibits, we recommend allowing at least 3 to 4 hours. If you are a real history buff, you could easily spend the entire day there reading all the detailed stories.
Can you take dogs to Eden Camp? Yes, Eden Camp is dog-friendly. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site, including inside the museum huts and the cafe.
Is Eden Camp all outdoors? The site is spread across a large outdoor area, but the vast majority of the exhibits are located inside the original prisoner of war huts. You will be walking between buildings, so bring a coat if it’s raining, but you’ll be undercover for most of the museum.
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