Area Guide

Scarborough is the largest coastal holiday resort on the Yorkshire Coast. Scarborough has two bays the North and South Bay which are divided by a rocky headland. On the headland you can see the remains of the fabulous Scarborough Castle and all its history from times gone by. Scarborough is roughly 20 miles south of Whitby and 8 miles north of Filey, and only a short drive from the North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Wolds. 

The South Bay, Scarborough

The South Bay in Scarborough is the main tourist destination as is where you will find the family friendly sandy beach, cafes, amusements, arcades and theatres such as the Spa theatre, a traditional Victorian theatre with a maximum capacity of 570 people. You shall find the usual seaside delights such as rock, fudge, cockles and winkles. It is also where the original medieval settlement and the harbour known as the ’old town district’ can be found. The harbour houses a small fleet of fishing boats and also a number of yachts. It is from the harbour you shall be able to buy tickets for a boat trip. The boat trips vary; choose from a trip around the bay or along the coast.

The North Bay, Scarborough

The North Bay is traditionally the quieter of the two bays, as well as a sandy beach there is the Peasholm Park which is a Japanese themed garden that was restored in 2007. The North Bay Railway can be found at Peasholm Park. The North Bay Railway is a miniature railway that is thought to be the oldest operational diesel hydraulic locomotive in the world. You can catch a ride from the park, through the Northstead Manor Gardens to the Sea Life Centre at Scalby Mills.

Northstead Manor Gardens

The Northstead Manor Gardens offers lots of entertainment, not only does it have the North Bay Railway it also has a water chute, a lake where you are able to hire boats during the summer and an open air theatre.  Scarborough’s open air theatre had its heyday in the early 1900’s and closed in 1986 with the last concert being James Last and his orchestra. It reopened in 2010 and remains the largest open air theatre in Europe (since Antiquity). Today it holds concerts for many popular artists such as Olly Murs, Happy Mondays and Leona Lewis.

Scarborough Castle

Scarborough Castle is without a doubt one of Yorkshire’s finest English Heritage attractions and a great place to spend an afternoon.

Scarborough can be viewed from almost everywhere in Scarborough. The steep trek to the top is well worth the effort as from the castle grounds there are wonderful views across the north and south bay.

History fans will Love Scarborough Castle as although the majority is ruins, some areas have been well preserved and restored. There is also an audio tour that is extremely informative, describing in detail the history of the castle and how it all began.

It is worth noting that due to the castle being so high it may be best choosing a less windy day to visit. If you go on a sunny day is a perfect place for a picnic, or alternatively there is also a café on site which is highly recommended and reasonably priced!

Other entertainment

Scarborough also has its own art gallery known as the Scarborough Art Gallery, the Rotunda Museum and a shopping centre with a large department store and over 35 high street shops.