During the War…… (Eden Camp)

Member Name: robinlawrie

Product:	Eden Camp
Date:	19/09/01 (192 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great day out

Disadvantages: not a one

Have you ever sat in an air-raid shelter, while bombs are dropping all around you? Or been in a U-Boat during a depthcharge attack? Or joined a Wellington crew over Berlin at the height of a bombing raid? I have experienced all of these in a single afternoon at a place called “Eden Camp” which is situated in Malton, North Yorkshire. It is a unique Museum where you will experience not only the sights and sounds, but also the smells of those unique, dangerous, times. Tableaux make full use of moving mannequins, and the skilful application of lighting, sound, and smells add even more realism and transport you back to the war years. Eden Camp was awarded the English Tourist Board Excellence Award 1998, for best visitor attraction in the Country.

The camp is an original prisoner of war camp built in 1942, and consists of 29 huts. Italians were imprisoned at the Camp from 1942 to 1944, then Germans from 1944 to1948. The original huts have been retained to form the Museum, and your visit takes you to each in turn.

As you pass through each hut, a different aspect of the story is revealed, starting with the rise of the Nazi Party, the early rallies and the outbreak of War. Highlights of some of the other huts include: The Home Front, The U-boat Menace, The Blitz, Bomber Command, Women at War, Civil Defence and POW’s, and finally VE Day with all the celebrations.

In one hut is depicted a London street during the blitz. Smoke, screams and the smell of dust as you walk through. Bombs are exploding water mains rupturing and the emergency services fighting fires and rescuing trapped people, WOW.

As we pass through the huts, other wartime topics are covered and these include: the home guard, the war at sea, rationing, evacuation of the cities, utility clothing, propaganda (ours and theirs), the street at war, land army girls, munitions factories, the emergency services, the rescue services, etc etc etc. I c
ould honestly go on for ages, as everything appears to be comprehensively covered.

There is even a music hall with performances every 2 hours, where you are invited to watch a puppet show in which some of the greatest entertainers of the war years are portrayed. Here you can hear the likes of George Formby and Gracie Fields, belting it out as they used to do.

There are 2 assault courses for the youngster’s. A special one designed for the budding commando’s, and an escape through the tunnel for those who fancy their chances of joining the SAS.

Eden Camp is a tremendous place for those with disabilities. It is 100% “on the flat”, which is a boon for wheelchair users. An excellent facility is that of wheelchairs being available for use at no extra charge. There are disabled toilet facilities, Braille sheets and audiocassettes for loan. As the brochure says “The unique concept of Eden Camp means that you can utilise every sense during a visit.”

Cafeteria facilities are available, and as you would expect are themed. There is the Prisoners Canteen, Officers Mess Tearooms and the Garrisons Cinema Bar. There are also “mess” rooms for those who have brought their own food, and loads of benches and tables around the site. The design of the camp ensures that you are never very far from your car, and can leave food until you require it. An experience not to be missed is that of picnicking under the “doodlebug” bomb. The sound of the approaching bomb and then ensuing silence before the explosion is unforgettable to say the least.

OPENING TIMES - 10am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. The camp is open from the 2nd Monday in January to 23rd December - seven days a week. The management advise you to allow 3 to 4 hours for a visit.

The cost of admission is

•Adult £4
•Child £3
•OAP £3
•Disabled £3


A nice touch is that dogs are allowed everywhere on the site with the exception of the cafeterias, provided of course that they are on a lead and well behaved. This is a boon to those of us who miss out on places like this because we are dog owners.

Eden Camp is located at the junction of the A64 York to Scarborough road and the A169 to Malton to Pickering road.

The web site at www.edencamp.co.uk will give you even more information on this great day out. If you are ever on holiday in the vicinity, make sure that you pay Eden Camp a visit. It is great fun for the children, and pure nostalgia for the oldies.

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