Scarborough is an old Victorian spa town in North Yorkshire. The coastal resort is Yorkshire’s third largest town and its safe and sandy beaches and mineral spa have placed the town amongst the best and most popular seaside holiday destinations in North England, with a wealth of accommodation to cater for all the visitors. The most visible attraction is Scarborough’s castle and the huge headland that surrounds it. The vast headland splits the coast into two bays either side of town. The seafronts couldn’t be more polarized, whilst the south seafront is a classic British seaside, the northern bay is untouched and rugged. This allows visitors to experience the two best and distinguishing characteristics the English coastline can offer.
Where to Stay
Holiday cottages and bed and breakfasts in Scarborough are plentiful and see a high demand. Even the cottages just outside of Scarborough are becoming popular now. Renting a cottage in Scarborough’s centre offers you better proximity to the town attractions. Being near to these attractions, especially in the summer time is a major advantage, as the roads around the town can get very busy. Central apartments in Scarborough are self-catering which will also cut costs and adds for flexibility when it comes to food. Wimdu has a great selection of self-catering apartments in Scarborough and other traditional British holiday resorts. Check out our bed and breakfasts in Skegness or guesthouse in Brighton . Wimdu has an excellent range of self-catering accommodation options, not only in the town but throughout Yorkshire, so if you would prefer a city break in this beautiful county, try York or leeds.
Fun Facts
- Scarborough’s South Clif Lift was the first of its kind to open way back in 1875 and is still in operation!
- The remains of the oldest house in the British Isles were discovered underneath Scarborough – the house is dated from 8500BC!
- In 1993 erosion caused The Holbeck Hotel in Scarborough to slip into the sea!
- The River Derwent that completes its journey to the sea at Scarborough is a great place to spot herons!
Things to see and do
Scarborough is an excellent holiday destination and there is something for all the family in this excellent town. Scarborough is alive with history and its past is intimately connected to the wild and rugged landscape that defines the local area. The town’s history can be traced back to Roman times. The Roman’s occupied the town as its location meant it was in the perfect position to fend off attacks from the North Sea. It also meant it was the perfect location for settlers and much of the cottages and accommodation in the area dates back further than you might think.
Scarborough’s main attraction is the famous Scarborough Castle which is perched on the hill in the town. The southern bay offers an excellent experience for all the family and attraction include the spa complexes, harbor, arcades, fun fare, donkey rides and many other activates that one would usually associate with a traditional seaside resort. The harbour and fish quay are also worth investigating and you’ll get a taste of what it was like to live in the town in years gone by. In recent years the town has become more tourism focused and a visit to Scarborough is a great day out for anyone holidaying in the local area. Scarborough is known as an excellent town for restaurants and throughout the town you’ll find excellent fish restaurants and cosy pubs offering wholesome English food. Scarborough is also home to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, one of the cultural icons of Yorkshire. This amazing theatre is held with high regard and is one of the most popular theatres outside of London. The theatre has been providing high quality performances since 1955 and maintains a strong level of respect by many in the arts community.
Getting Around
Getting to Scarborough is straightforward and the town is connected with the rest of Yorkshire via the A64 road. This road connects Scarborough with Leeds and York and the countryside across Yorkshire is particularly stunning. You can also take the A165 coastal route from Hull and East Yorkshire in the south. Once you’ve arrived in town you’ll find numerous car parks but be aware – they fill up quickly in the summer months. Park and rides are available allowing you to park your car outside of town and get a bus into the centre – this will prevent you having to spend frustrating time navigating the often busy traffic in the town centre and along the waterfront. You can also get to Scarborough by train and bus and there is an hourly service from the town to York. You’ll find getting around Scarborough is easy and the town is not very big. Most of the attractions are located along the seafront. An extensive bus service is available and often comes in handy – quite a large area of the town is hilly!