A well-loved attraction has been put up for sale after the family who’ve run it for nearly 40 years look to retire.
Eden Camp Modern History Museum in Malton has gone on the market, with the owners seeking ‘substantial offers’ from buyers.
Originally a prisoner of war camp, Eden Camp was built on the outskirts of Malton in early 1942 to accommodate Italian prisoners of war.
In 1985 the site was bought by Stan Johnson. Following a £750,000 investment, the world’s first modern history museum was created within what was the original camp, opening in 1987.
Today, Eden Camp tells the story of The People’s War, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945, featuring realistic tableaux, moving figures, authentic sounds and even smells recreated to “transport you back in time”.
After nearly 40 years in the same family, the business is being offered for sale for the very first time due to retirement.
Howard Johnson, son of the late Stan Johnson said, “Since our father passed away in 2015, my sister and I have continued as custodians of this incredible business.
Eden Camp facts
- The museum attracts around 125,000 visitors each year
- It’s a popular venue for school groups, with around 25,000 children visiting in 2023
- It enjoys close collaboration with veterans groups
- The Eden Camp archive is a resource of national historical and educational importance
“We have consistently invested in improving the facilities and customer experience and have a fantastic team we work with here, but we too are at that time in our lives where it makes sense to pass the reigns to new owners.
“I’ve been contacted a number of times over the years asking if we would sell and so this tremendous opportunity now becomes a reality.”
Christie & Co is marketing the business to include the valuable freehold property.
Head of leisure and development at Christie & Co Jon Patrick said: “There are many people, particularly those from Yorkshire, who will have visited Eden Camp as a child and returned with their own children, parents and even grand-parents as there is something here for everyone.
“With more than 105,000 items of memorabilia we can see Eden Camp appealing to a national and even international buyer audience, such is the interest in the subject matter.
“From a tourist perspective, it also benefits from the vast majority of its displays being undercover and so would provide a great hedge against inclement weather for visitor attraction operators with primarily outdoor facilities.
“We can also envisage Eden Camp being of interest to other museums, collections and collectors and whilst not forming part of the operating business itself, our clients own a number of rare and valuable military vehicles outside the company structure on offer, which could be made available to purchase or lease by way of separate negotiation.”
Over the last few years the business has invested over £1.25m in renovation and restoration works to the fabric of the buildings.
It’s added a new “Blitz Experience”, a remodelled entrance, new exhibition spaces and the Heritage Exhibition Hall which provides an undercover display arena for Eden Camp’s collection of unique and rare military vehicles and equipment.