For a full day out for all the family, we really enjoyed Eden Camp at Malton. A World War 2 Experience. It's got to be one of the best days out in the UK...
We had a fantastic day out at this World War II theme museum, near Malton.
This is an excellent place to go for an interesting and educational experience.
It is a modern-style theme museum all about World War II and especially the 'Home Front' war...
It is particularly interesting as it aims to tell the story and experience of the ordinary person (and all kinds of ordinary people) living through these difficult times.
Eden Camp recommends you allow 3-4 hours for your visit.
We were at the camp for around 3 and a half hours, and we really seemed to whizz through many of the exhibits.
If you wanted to read all the information presented, I think it would take you far longer than the recommended time.
You pay your entrance fees in the car at the gate. Note that Eden Camp does NOT accept debit or credit cards, so take enough money to cover your day out.
Charges (2009):
£5 adult
£4 child or OAP
Dogs are allowed but not in the indoor eating areas.
Once you've parked up, you are free to explore the camp. The museum experience is in the original huts of the Eden Camp, which was itself a Prisoner of War Camp during the War.
The museum is housed in the original huts. Each hut concentrating on a different theme or themes. The exhibits are arranged in a very viewer friendly way - street scenes or home scenes are arranged, with manequins, to get a realistic feel.
Air Raid Wardens
We really get into the life and mindset of a World War II person, by seeing genuine clothes, products, newspaper cuttings, photos and real-life stories of individuals' real-life experiences. Information boards explain the historical significance, importance to the war, and to home life.
A special 'museum within the museum' (series of huts) takes the more traditional political and military historical view of the War, from a British and Worldwide perspective.
Street Scene - Toy Shop
We were particularly interested in the street scenes and the dramatic Blitz reconstructions.
Themes covered include:
Declaration of War
Rationing
Evacuation
Black Market
Home Guard
U-boats (submarines)
Air-raids and air-raid shelters
Gas masks
Blackout and ARP
Make-do and Mend
Fashion
Women at War
Bomber Ops
Prisoners of War (at home and abroad)
Coalmining (The Bevin Boys)
Civil Rescues
Music Hall
Military Vehicles
Dig for Victory
Street Scene - Chemist's Shop
As well as realisitc reconstructions, some using the genuine articles, you can really get into the whole experience with:
sounds of the time
authentic smells
even special effects... coal mining dust, smoke, etc...
I found that particularly the smells brought a true authenticity to the reconstructions - some smells were nice... some, not so much! You can even buy the aromas of the museum in the gift shop afterwards (should you so wish!) to recreate the whole World War II era in the privacy of your own home...
'Camp facilities', ie. refreshments, toilets and shop are all easily accessible in the central part of the camp.
Refreshments are Served! - NOT the real refreshments - another exhibit!
Choose to eat in the:
Prisoners' Canteen
Officers' Tearoom
Garrison Cinema Bar
Ice Cream Parlour
We ate in the Prisoners' Canteen - I was a little worried... but thankfully they haven't gone for full World War II authenticity with the food! This is the place to go for a full meal. We enjoyed:
jumbo sausage, chips and peas
stew and dumplings
The food was tasty and filling - although the Prisoners' Canteen did, weirdly, remind me of eating in the staff canteen when I used to work at Pontins..!
Finish your trip with a visit to the Gift Shop...
...buy posters or postcards with genuine World War II adverts and slogans.
I bought a book called 'Nella Last's War': the war diaries of a middle aged lady, immortalised on paper, and recently in film, with Victoria Wood in 'Housewife, 49'...
I enjoyed the film, andd I'm finding the book, too, really interesting, building on and bringing to life my experiences in the Eden Camp Museum.
We both really enjoyed our day out at the Eden Camp museum - it was interesting and informative, and I'm sure we could have actually spent much longer there.
For the first time, the home experiences in the era of the Second World War have felt really 'real' to me. I now feel like I have quite a clear picture of what it was like in reality (not a TV or film version of it!). I really admire the people who went through this at the time.
I would recommend a trip to the Eden Camp museum to anyone - a great place to take the children for family days out in the UK.
We had a fantastic day out at this World War II theme museum, near Malton. 
For the first time, the home experiences in the era of the Second World War have felt really 'real' to me. I now feel like I have quite a clear picture of what it was like in reality (not a TV or film version of it!). I really admire the people who went through this at the time.
