I live in the chocolate-box town known as ‘Yorkshire’s foodie capital’  – here’s why Christmas is the best time to visit

A TINY town in the north of Britain could soon become the ‘UK’s food capital’ – and you’ll want to visit during Christmas.

Set on the edge of the North York Moors, the small English town of Malton is famous for its annual food festival as well as monthly food market.

For the last several years, local Tom Naylor-Leyland – who starred on Channel 5’s ‘Our Great Yorkshire Life’ – has been promoting Malton as the county’s food capital.

And another local has explained why she thinks the town is on the up.

Clara Challoner Walker, who has lived in Malton for the last nine years, owns natural beauty business Cosy Cottage.

Talking exclusively to the Sun Newspaper, she said: “Over the last five years, more creatives and artists have arrived in Malton.

“While the profile of the town hasn’t grown as quickly, there’s also a lag.

“You can only be famous because you’re doing really well, so you have to start doing the stuff really well first, and then the fame will follow.”

She added: “Malton has loads of independent shops, including gift and book shops.

“There’s a fantastic bookshop called Kemps as well as boutique clothing shops like Rusty Fox and Bias.

“Another favourite of mine is McMillans of Malton, which sells whisky and gin – the owner wears a kilt and there’s even a hidden speakeasy upstairs.”

And with its own Shambles shopping street, there are plenty of other independent shops to choose from including Environmental Art, Magpie Antiques and The Drunk Candle Company.

Visitors can become a creative for a couple of hours too, with artists and skilled craftspeople running workshop sessions.

The Cook’s Place runs cookery lessons like cake decorating, Cosy Cottage runs soap and candle-making workshops and there are even blacksmithing workshops.

Clara also revealed why Christmas is the best time to visit the town as well.

She added: “The blacksmithing workshops make brilliant Christmas gifts because they’re homemade, but people will also buy workshops as a Christmas present for the following year.”

Visitors who want to experience a taste of these sessions should head to Malton on November 23, when St Clement’s Festival takes place.

The festival, which is now in its second year, is described as a “celebration of Malton’s host of craftspeople” with activities and demonstrations taking place throughout the day.

Sculpture and art trails, light shows and musical performances, also take place throughout the day, while twinkling Christmas lights, trees and decorations adorn the town.

Other tourist attractions in the town include Malton Museum, Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton Castle Gardens.

There are also two galleries in Malton where visitors can purchase paintings and artwork.

And thanks to its food scene, there are plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat including the Purple Carrot, a vegetarian cafe which happens to be one of Clara’s favourites.

Other well-regarded restaurants include Florio’s Italian, Forty Six Malton, La Trattoria, Omni Bar & Yorkshire Grill and Tui‘s Thai Restaurant.

For overnight stays, there are a handful of hotels in Malton like The Talbot, The Old Lodge and the Mount Hotel.

Meanwhile, The Sun’s Katrina Turrill grew up in the prettiest town in Yorkshire – here’s what she thinks of it.