This historic seaside resort on England's North Sea coast has a medieval castle, two sandy beaches, and Britain's first purpose-built geology museum.
Scarborough sits on North Yorkshire's coast, where you'll find a medieval castle perched on cliffs, naval battle reenactments at Peasholm Park, and performances at an 8,000-seat open-air theatre. Walk along two distinct beaches, watch artists paint murals in designated street art zones, or eat fresh-caught fish at the working harbor.
Exploring North and South Bay Beaches
South Bay beach connects to the town center, with a promenade lined by arcade games, ice cream vendors, and seafood restaurants. North Bay beach has earned Blue Flag certification for its water quality and safety standards. You can swim at both beaches from June through September, when water temperatures reach 15-18°C (59-64°F).
Walking Through Peasholm Park
Peasholm Park's Japanese gardens include ornamental pagodas and a central lake for boat rentals. Watch the Naval Warfare show from June to September, where model boats recreate military battles on the lake. The 2018 boathouse addition lets you take dragon-shaped pedal boats across the water.
Discovering Local Art
Local artists create and update murals year-round in two designated zones: the Sainsbury's basketball courts and Falsgrave Park wall. At Woodend, a Victorian mansion turned art center, you can see rotating exhibitions by regional artists. The building also houses digital art studios where artists work on projects ranging from game design to animation.
Watching Live Performances
The Open Air Theatre hosts concerts between May and September. Since its 1932 opening performance of "Merrie England," the venue has welcomed performers from rock bands to classical orchestras. Inside the Stephen Joseph Theatre, a converted 1930s cinema, you can watch new plays and theatrical productions throughout the year.
Getting Around
Trains arrive at Scarborough station every hour from York, with connections to Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly. The station is a 10-minute walk from South Bay beach and the town center. Local buses run every 30 minutes to Whitby and hourly to Filey.
Day Trips Along the Coast
You can explore several coastal towns from Scarborough. Drive or take a bus 20 miles north to Whitby to see the Gothic abbey ruins that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Walk down Robin Hood's Bay's narrow streets to its rocky beach, where fishing boats still land their catch. In Filey, follow the Cleveland Way trail along clifftops for views across the North Sea.
