Reading Rooms

The Reading Rooms in Malton are a proper throwback to the Victorian era, when serious readers would gather in purpose-built spaces to catch up on the news and engage with books. It's a small library with genuine character - the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, unlike the high-street chains. The building itself has that solid, respectable air you'd expect from a 19th-century institution, though these days it operates as a functioning public library rather than an exclusive gentlemen's club.

You'll get the most from a visit if you're into local history or just fancy escaping the rush for a bit. It's not a major attraction that'll eat up your afternoon - think 30 minutes to an hour, depending on whether you want to browse the shelves or just admire the original fixtures. Best of all, it's free to visit and use. The real charm is in the atmosphere: original wood panelling, the smell of old books, the sense that nothing much has changed here in decades.

If you're staying at Vale of Pickering Caravan Park or one of the glamping spots nearby - Lahtle Wood or Wolds Walk are both excellent - the Reading Rooms make a rainy-day stop worth considering. Malton itself is a proper market town with good pubs and restaurants, so you can easily build a morning around it. The Rooms won't set your heart racing, but they're a genuine slice of Yorkshire life that deserves a quiet afternoon visit.