There are many charming seaside towns in the UK, but Scarborough was the first.
Since the discovery of its spa waters in the early 17th century, Scarborough has been a popular choice for holidaymakers across the UK.
Thanks to its glorious beaches, fascinating history, and many other attractions, Scarborough remains a beloved resort town, and a popular holiday destination today.
Thinking about a break in this top North Yorkshire spot? Have a read of this guide and discover some of the many amazing things to do in Scarborough.
Feeling inspired already? Choose one of our hotel deals in Scarborough.
1. Visit the historic Scarborough Castle
With it’s 3,000 year history and stunning views across the Yorkshire coastline, a trip to Scarborough Castle is a must. Managed by English Heritage, the castle boasts stunning views, a fascinating history, and lots of things to do for the children.
Learn about the ruined castle’s fascinating history, from its Iron Age beginnings, through the Roman period, the Anglo-Saxon period, and it’s part in the English Civil War. The castle’s 16-acre grounds are home to foxes, deer, birds, and butterflies. The Master Gunner’s house is the perfect spot to stop off for some tea and cake, and enjoy the views across the castle grounds.
2. Sun yourself on the sandy South Bay
The South Bay is where you’ll find the old town and Scarborough’s popular sandy beach. With rock pools to explore, donkey rides, and beautiful golden sand, South Bay is the perfect spot to pitch your windbreak for a beach day with the family. There’s a lifeguard present, for your peace of mind, and the beach is dog-free in the summer.
It’s the ideal beach to bring a picnic, a couple of chairs, and some light reading, so you can while away a few relaxing hours. The beach is backed by cafés, ice cream parlours, and an arcade, in case you want a quick break from the sun to pick up a coffee or an ice cream.
3. Visit the Scarborough Fair Collection
You know the tune, ‘are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.’ But have you ever been the place? The historic Scarborough Fair was a six-week trading festival that ran for 500 years from the 13th to the 18th century.
The trading fair doesn’t exist today, but at the Scarborough Fair Collection, you’ll find a range of old-fashioned fairground rides, mechanical organs, vintage vehicles, and classic cars. The fair is a fantastic attraction for all the family, and a nostalgic trip down memory lane. There’s loads for kids to do, and a top notch café if you need a quick break from the excitement. One of our favourite family things to do in Scarborough.
4. Meet cheeky penguins at SEA LIFE
SEA LIFE Sanctuary is a popular aquarium and family day out, where you can enjoy a wide range of marine life. With 50 displays and over 1,000 animals including penguins, seals, turtles, sharks, otters, and giant crabs, there’s something here for all animal lovers.
The Sanctuary breed, rescue, and protect sea life, with an emphasis on conservation. Take the opportunity to get up close with penguins (a lot of fun), and check their timetable to get the most out of the experience by attending talks and feeding times throughout the day.
5. Sing along to a show at the Grand Hotel
The historic Grand Hotel in Scarborough is a truly historic institution. Completed in 1867, the Grand Hotel was one of the largest in the world when it was first opened. Its distinctive yellow brickwork and impressive size make it an unmistakable feature of Scarborough’s coastline. Previous notable guests include the likes of Winston Churchill.
In the evenings, the Grand Hotel is a great place to see tributes from all your favourite old bands. Look out for UK Breakaways deals on tribute nights in Scarborough with appearances from Elton John, Rod Stewart, ABBA and Tina Turner tribute acts. A guaranteed blast from the past in a truly memorable location!
6. Visit Anne Brontë’s grave
Anne Brontë, who wrote Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, is the only member of the famous literary family who isn’t buried at their family home in Haworth, West Yorkshire. She moved to Scarborough in the hope that the air would improve her health, but she died just three days after arriving, aged 29.
You will find Anne Brontë’s grave at the beautiful St Mary’s Church. The grave stone was corrected by the Brontë Society in 2013, as the original stone incorrectly stated her age as 28 instead of 29. A must visit for fans of literature and the famous family who contributed so much to English literature.
7. Step back in time at Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre
The small but impressive Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre is home to a vast collection of photographs, documents, and artefacts illustrating Scarborough’s fascinating maritime history.
Staffed by a team of knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers, you’re guaranteed to get a warm welcome, with someone on hand to answer any questions you have about the surrounding area and its historic relationship with the sea. A gem of a museum to pop into for a fascinating hour or so, and entry is completely free. A must-see for all history enthusiasts, or anyone who has a personal connection with Scarborough.
8. Peruse the picturesque Peasholme Park
The beautiful Peasholme Park is a gem of Scarborough. These Victorian landscaped gardens, inspired by oriental architecture, are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You’ll enjoy the company of squirrels, geese, and other wildlife, and entrance to this great little spot is completely free.
In the park you’ll find a tranquil lake, where you can hire boats, canoes, and pedalos. A traditional bandstand offers free live music, and there are two cafes to choose from, where you can order hot and cold drinks, light meals, and ice cream. The perfect spot for a gentle afternoon!
9. Feast your eyes at Scarborough Art Gallery
Located in the beautiful Crescent Gardens in the centre of town, Scarborough Art Gallery hosts a lovely selection of fine art from notable artists including John Atkinson Grimshaw, Frederic Lord Leighton, and Frank Brangwyn, as well as displays of contemporary print work.
The building itself is a stunning Grade II Italianate villa, and a £3 ticket grants you access to the gallery and the Rotunda Museum for a whole year. The collection is relatively small, but curated to a high standard, making it the perfect place for a short but sweet cultural experience.
10. Solve a murder mystery at the Clifton Hotel
What better place to immerse yourself in a murder mystery experience than the Clifton Hotel, with its dramatic views over the North Bay and North Sea coastline?
The Clifton Hotel offers a fantastic range of entertainment, but nothing beats the intrigue offered by their famous Scarborough murder mystery nights. Get in the spirit of it by joining in with the dress code and getting your teeth into the gritty drama of a thrilling murder mystery experience.
11. See a show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre
First opened in Scarborough’s heydey in the 1930s, Scarborough Open Air Theatre was built in a natural amphitheatre, with the stage set on an island in the middle of a lake. The Theatre hosted major productions up to two twice a week in the summer, with the cast of performers alone often in excess of 200 people.
In 2010, the Open Air Theatre was reopened by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. It has since attracted major acts from across the country, including the likes of Elton John, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Status Quo, Olly Murs, Jessie J, and McFly. It’s an iconic venue to see some great live music.
Check for concert and hotel package deals in Scarborough and get your tickets for a show at the Open Air Theatre or one of the area’s many other venues included with your holiday booking.
12. Stroll around South Cliff Italian Gardens
Take some time out and for a leisurely stroll in the peaceful and elegant Italian Gardens. Designed by the landscape architect Harry W. Smith, the sculpted gardens are reminiscent of Florence’s Bardini and Boboli Gardens.
Featuring a rose garden and terraced walks, the gardens are a great spot for a picnic. Home to tame, friendly squirrels, here you will also find wonderful views over South Bay and the old town. The gardens were featured in the ITV drama series The Royal.
13. Take in the coastline by bike
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cycling enthusiast, Scarborough is a great place to ride a bike. Borrow a bike from Coast and Dale Bike Library, and take a gentle ride along the seafront to take in the views.
If you’re more of an experienced cyclist, then why not try a morning or afternoon along the Cinder Track? The old railway line which ran along the coast from Scarborough to Whitby offers wonderful views, running through the North York Moors National Park.
14. Explore the rock pools at North Bay beach
The sandy beach at North Bay is less busy than South Bay, and offers a wilder, more rugged feel, with some fantastic rock pools to explore when the tide is low. Be warned! The tide creeps in fast, so always check the tide times.
The beach on North Bay doesn’t have the same shelter as South Bay - provided by the castle headline - by positioned away from the road, it is cleaner and quieter. Watersports are popular here, beach chalets are available, and crazy golf nearby. North Bay also offers state-of-the-art facilities.
15. Take a trip on North Bay Miniature Railway
The North Bay Railway is one of Scarborough’s top family days out. The charming railway runs for just under a mile between Peasholme Park and Scalby Mills in the North Bay area.
The railway is wheelchair and pushchair friendly, and dogs are welcome on a short lead. Stop by at the lakeside and check out the vintage water chute and boating lake. It really is one of the best things to do in Scarborough for the whole family.
For some light refreshments, pop into the Glass House Café for coffees, teas and light lunches. Or alternatively, why not pop into the Boatman’s Tavern - Yorkshire’s smallest pub - for a real ale.
16. Explore ancient fossils at the Rotunda Museum
Constructed in 1829, the curved Rotunda Museum is a grade II listed building, and one of the UK’s first purpose-built museums. The design was suggested by William Smith, a key figure in English geology. His research found that geological strata can be identified by looking at the fossils they contain.
Today, the museum contains a fascinating collection of Jurassic age fossils and archaeological finds. One exhibit features Gristhorpe Man - the skeleton and coffin of Bronze Age man - which is a rare example of the practice of tree burial. Adult admission is just £3, and includes admission to Scarborough Art Gallery. Check their site for detailed information about what's on.
17. See the animals at Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park
Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park is an award-winning family run attraction featuring animals, exotic birds, and gardens. Opened in 2008, their animals include Alpacas, Zebu, giant rabbits, and miniature ponies. They have a range of exotic birds including waterfowl, owls, pheasants, and rheas.
Their gardens include a formal bird garden, a hidden secret garden, and an interactive sensory garden. You’ll also find a small café, gift shop, play park, and picnic benches in case you want to bring your own picnic. A great family day out and a must for animal lovers.
18. Sit for a while with Freddie Gilroy
This giant steel structure made by sculptor Ray Lonsdale depicts a former miner, Freddie Gilroy, who the artist befriended and turned out to be one of the soldiers who relieved the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the end of World War II. Freddie was an ordinary man who witnessed the release of 60,000 prisoners from the camp, many of whom were so malnourished that they died after their release.
The artist describes the sculpture as ‘almost a war memorial as it depicts the lives of all those who suffered during the World Wars.’ Take a seat with Freddie as he looks out across the ocean in contemplation.
19. Take a trip on the Central Tramway
This Victorian cliff railway on South Bay is a popular attraction that transports you from the beach to the town. Whether to save your legs from a steep walk, or just to enjoy the historic charm of this funicular railway, the Central Tramway is a great part of any Scarborough break.
At the top station, you can learn about the Victorian engineering that went into the tramway when it was established in 1881. The trip only takes about 30 seconds and costs £1. It’s a must-do activity if you’re spending the day in the South Bay.
20. Walk the scenic Cleveland Way
The Cleveland Way is a beautiful walking trail that runs from Filey to Helmsley, passing through Scarborough on its way to the North York Moors National Park. During its 109 mile distance, the trail runs past castles, ancient stone crosses, fishing villages, and coastal towns.
Perfect for walkers, the Cleveland Way offers stunning views over the dramatic coastline as well as extensive moorland carpeted with heather. A recommended route for anyone who wants to take in the beauty of Yorkshire coast by foot.
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