Julie Smith
08 September 2026
Did you know that Scarborough was Britain’s first-ever seaside resort and in 2026 it’s celebrating its 400th anniversary as a holiday hotspot? The healing properties of the water led tourists in their droves to visit the spa and in the mid-18th century; it was the first place to introduce bathing machines.
Times might have moved on slightly from this (these days we are happier to swim in the sea without such archaic contraptions) but our recent Yorkshire Uncovered survey highlighted just how important heritage and nostalgia still is to holidaymakers. Scarborough fits the bill perfectly for a traditional seaside holiday, with a third of survey respondents naming it as a nostalgic destination, so if you’re looking to eat fish and chips, go rockpooling and build sandcastles, it’s the ideal place to visit.
I have been a regular visitor to Scarborough since childhood; read on to discover my favourite things to see and do, including beautiful beaches, fun-filled attractions and secret spots you might not have heard of. Click the button below to discover lovely holiday cottages dotted all around this beloved seaside town and plan a visit yourself.
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Why visit Scarborough?
If you fancy a traditional UK seaside holiday, whether to invoke memories from your own childhood or to create new memories with the kids, it’s hard to beat a getaway to Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast. One response from the 2025 Happiest Places survey from our sister brand holidaycottages.co.uk perfectly captures Scarborough's enduring appeal:
“We always went to Scarborough for all of my childhood holidays, so all my happy memories of summer are set there, then I met my husband and found out he went there every summer too. Now our kids do, and when they come, the grandchildren will see the magic of a UK holiday in our happy place too.”
Scarborough is a town of two halves, separated by a sprawling cliff-top castle and each with its own unique feel. Head to the bustling South Bay for classic seaside attractions such as donkey rides, arcades, fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours. North Bay is the more sedate and relaxing part of town with the oriental-themed Peasholm Park and a miniature railway.
Each side of Scarborough comes with its own beach too, so don’t forget your bucket and spade if you're coming with the children.
Scarborough North Bay
With a large stretch of sandy beach, a park where you can take to the lake in a dragon boat and a railway to whisk you around, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly activities to try in North Bay.
Scarborough North Bay Railway
Britain’s ‘biggest’ miniature railway has been running for over 90 years and hopping aboard one of the green wooden carriages is a must-do nostalgic activity during a visit to Scarborough. The small-scale steam locomotive runs between Peasholm Station and Scalby Mills at a sedate pace that’s sure to delight young and old, passing by Scarborough scenery that everyone can appreciate. You can grab snacks and drinks at either station or, for a real treat, book yourself in for a fish and chip supper aboard the train (I like mine with plenty of vinegar)! As the SNBR team say:
“North Bay Railway is a wonderful day out for the perfect blend of family fun and traditional seaside nostalgia. We love Scarborough for the view of the sweeping North Bay and historic castle from the carriage of the UK's 'biggest miniature railway'”
Get off at Scalby Mills for the SEA LIFE Centre or stay on for the return journey and take advantage of the historic water chute, one of only three vintage seaside attractions of its kind left in the country. Step into the boat-like vessels and fly down the ramp at speed, ending up in the boating lake after a bit of a splash.
Peasholm Park
Peasholm Park is an Oriental-style municipal park built in 1912 that’s just a few hundred metres from Peasholm Station. Wander over the mini bridges and take in the wonderful streams and waterfalls, or get out on the boating lake in one of the classic green dragon boats (other types of vessel are available). There’s a putting green, an 18-hole mini golf course, cafes, kiosks and toilets.
Look out for the Naval Warfare Battle which takes place each July and August. It’s a miniature simulated battle on the lake which has taken place annually at Peasholm Park since 1927.
My tip: Taking a ride on the North Bay Railway and exploring Peasholm Park are great things to do with four-legged friends as they are both very dog friendly. They are also ideal activities for multi-generational holidays as they will be enjoyed by young and old alike.
Alpamere
Set back a little way from North Bay, Alpamere offers a wet day out without the risk of bringing a beach-worth of sand home with you afterwards. If you’re looking for things to do in Scarborough with the kids (or even if you’re just a big kid), this water park is the place to come.
With four state-of-the-art water slides, a large wave pool with metre-high waves, a splash zone for the little ones, and a warm garden pool, you’ll easily be able to spend an exhilarating day here. And if you’re looking for a bit of relaxation after the excitement of the flumes, either take in the sights of the bay from the infinity pool or visit the wellness spa for a bit of ‘me time’ and a treatment or two.
SEA LIFE Scarborough
At the north end of North Bay, past the golf club, lies SEA LIFE Scarborough. As mentioned earlier, you can catch the North Bay Railway from Peasholm Station and get off at Scalby Mills, or if you’re feeling energetic, join the Cleveland Way from multiple points in Scarborough to reach the centre.
With more than 2,500 creatures to encounter, you can dive into an amazing underwater world full of excitement. Visit Penguin Island and meet the colony of flightless birds as you walk through their ranks. Come face to face with blacktip reef sharks in the 200,000-litre Ocean Tunnel. And if you’re more of a land-lover, head to the Rainforest Adventure where you can marvel at critters such as green tree pythons and poison arrow dart frogs.
North Bay Beach
This long, sandy stretch of beach is popular with swimmers and surfers, and you can hire one of the brightly coloured huts if you want to spend the day here in style. At the north end of the beach, there are rocky outcrops where you’ll find rock pooling opportunities (make sure you check the tides to avoid being cut off), and to the south is the best quality sand for a sunbathing session and views of the imposing 11th-century Scarborough Castle.
Scarborough South Bay
With seaside arcades, funfair rides and boat rides at Scarborough’s South Bay, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Here are my recommendations for a memorable day out:
Seaside arcades
You’ll find most of Scarborough’s seaside arcades on Foreshore Road, the main promenade that backs South Bay Beach. Olympia Leisure is the largest (it’s actually the biggest arcade in Yorkshire) and includes karaoke rooms, ten-pin bowling, interactive darts and a good selection of arcade games.
If you’re looking for tradition, head to Coney Island, a Scarborough staple since the 1960s. The iconic red-and-white building was originally a Victorian Turkish Baths with characterful interiors filled with fun games for kids and adults alike, ranging from racing simulators and bowling to ski machines and my favourite, classic penny-pusher arcade games.
Luna Park
There have been various funfairs in Scarborough over the years, and the latest incarnation is Luna Park, which is perfect for young families and located close to the harbour in South Bay. There are plenty of rides and games to keep little ones happy, including cups and saucers, a classic carousel, dodgem cars, hook-a-duck and the King Frog hopper.
Scarborough Spa
Don’t miss heading to Scarborough Spa, a Grade-II listed Victorian building and home to the UK’s only remaining seaside orchestra. Each summer you can enjoy morning concerts on the open-air sun court which has magnificent views out to sea.
South Bay Beach
If you’re looking for a peaceful beach walk, South Bay Beach in the summer is probably not the place for you. If, however, you are looking for a bustling atmosphere with plenty of fun and lots going on, you would be hard-pressed to find a better place in Yorkshire. Expect donkey rides, ice creams, buckets and spades, and children splashing in the sea. South Bay Beach is also home to Scarborough’s harbour where you can take speed boat rides, wildlife cruises out to sea and hop aboard the Hispaniola Pirate Ship.
Fish and chips
You just can’t beat fish and chips at the coast and according to our recent Yorkshire Uncovered survey, 82% of people love to get fish and chips during a Yorkshire getaway. Luckily Scarborough has lots of options when it comes to this tasty treat and some of my favourite places just happen to be in South Bay. Haddock is the fish of choice in Scarborough and for classic battered haddock and chips I recommend The Famous Fish Pan. If cod is more your thing, try the small family-run Lifeboat Fish Bar on the seafront or for the best sea views head to Lookout on the Pier.
Rock and ice cream
Some more classic British seaside staples that you’ll find in abundance in Scarborough are sticks of rock and cones of ice cream. Sweet shops close to South Bay Beach include J Mollons with old-fashioned glass sweet jars on shelves, and the massive John Bull Confectioners where you can stock up on rock, nougat, chocolate and fudge made in their nearby Bridlington factory.
For ice cream, head to The Harbour Bar on Sandside where gallons of ice cream are freshly made on site each day by owner Guilian Alonzi, whose family has been making and selling ice cream in Scarborough since the early 1900s. Alternatively, try Scoop de Ville on Foreshore Road for classic lemon tops, a coastal delicacy on the North East coast that consists of lemon sorbet on top of whippy ice cream.
Find the quieter side of Scarborough
Scarborough is one of the Yorkshire Coast’s most popular destinations, but there are ways to avoid the crowds if you fancy some peace:
Head to Cayton Bay Beach
Just 3 miles south of Scarborough, the peaceful Cayton Bay Beach is backed by cliffs and dunes rather than arcades and shops selling sticks of rock. This rugged bay is hemmed in by rocky promontories and is exposed to the full force of the North Sea, making it a great spot for surfing.
Visit during spring or autumn
Scarborough isn’t just about summer; in fact, if you visit during spring and autumn, you can enjoy quiet beaches, crisp walks and peaceful parks.
In springtime, head to Peasholm Park and see blooming daffodils and cherry blossom trees or head up to Scarborough Castle to see a meadow of wildflowers and wonderful views across the town. This is also a great time for rockpooling at North Bay Beach (and more than 50% of people said they would go rockpooling during a family holiday in our recent survey). The lower spring tides reveal tidal pools teeming with crabs, anemones and small fish.
During autumn, take a crisp walk through the colourful trees in South Cliff gardens, and visit either North Bay or South Bay with your four-legged friend. Not only are the beaches quiet during autumn, but there are no dog restrictions after 1 October in Scarborough, so it’s the perfect time to bring a ball and enjoy a game of fetch with Fido.
Explore Raincliffe Woods
Described as the ‘creme de la creme of woodland’ by the Woodland Trust, and located on the edge of Scarborough, Raincliffe Woods boast a little bit of everything: sun-dappled ancient woodland, spectacular coastal views and attractive flora and fauna.
The woodland is the perfect place to get far from the madding crowd and relax with a myriad of footpaths to follow and an assortment of rare wildlife to try and spot including water voles, otters and willow tits.
There are three circular walks to follow around the woodland, named Rowntree, Graham and Wallis, and they are all easily waymarked and colour coded. It’s quite an up-and-down walk, so be prepared for that, and choose your attire carefully as it can get quite muddy when wet and pretty overgrown during the summer months.
Scarborough walking
Not only is Scarborough the UK’s original seaside resort, but its location on the edge of the North York Moors National Park makes it a great base for a walking holiday. Easy access to both the Cleveland Way National Trail (part of the King Charles III England Coast Path) and the Cinder Track, which connects Scarborough to Whitby, means there are plenty of scenic routes to try during a holiday.
Here are some of my walking recommendations:
The Cinder Track
The 21-mile Cinder Track route follows the old Scarborough to Whitby railway line with magnificent coastal sights and access to secluded coves along the way. When the line closed in 1965, the track remained, leaving a picturesque off-road path for walkers and cyclists. There’s no need to do all 21 miles (unless you are feeling particularly energetic) as there are a variety of shorter options including a 9-mile circular walk to Burniston via Peasholm Park and a 10-mile linear walk to Ravenscar where you can see a colony of grey seals before catching the 9X bus back to Scarborough.
The Cleveland Way
The full length of the Cleveland Way National Trail is 109 miles and much of the route follows cliff top paths that hug the Yorkshire coast with spectacular views out to sea. Head north and you’ll pass through Cloughton and Ravenscar on the way to Robin Hood’s Bay, around 13 miles away. Head south to follow the final stretch of the Cleveland Way, past Cayton Bay and up high coastal cliffs where you can enjoy views to Flamborough before you reach the end at the craggy promontory of Filey Brigg, a top spot for wildlife watching.
Cloughton to Hayburn Wyke
If you fancy a walk that combines The Cinder Track, The Cleveland Way and a hidden waterfall, the Cloughton to Hayburn Wyke circular has it all. For the outward section of this 5-mile walk you’ll follow the Cleveland Way from Cloughton before descending on a stony path through woodland to hidden cove. The waterfall cascades down through the woods directly onto the rocky beach and it’s a serene spot to spend some time before following the Cinder Path back to the start.
More things to do in Scarborough
As you would expect from a seaside town with as much history and enduring popularity as Scarborough, we have just scratched the surface of things to do. Here are even more things to do in Scarborough:
Scarborough Castle
Sitting atop the 16-acre headland that bisects Scarborough’s beaches, the imposing Scarborough Castle is the oldest building in Scarborough, keeping a watchful eye on both North and South Bay. It’s well worth the climb to explore the sprawling ruins, which were attacked by Vikings, Tudors and a Parliamentary army during an epic Civil War siege.
Take an audio tour to learn all about the castle’s past, climb the towers to find viewing platforms or explore the grounds, keeping a lookout for wildflowers and wildlife. If all this takes it out of you, head to the Coffee Shed to rest and grab a snack.
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Having been originally opened by the Mayor of London in the early 1930s, the Scarborough OAT has gone from strength to musical strength. The stage used to be in the middle of the lake, but following a huge investment from the local council, the newly refurbished version, which sits near the edge of the water, was opened by the Queen in 2010.
The natural amphitheatre of this venue produces amazing acoustics for the audience and with just under 5,500 seats as well as standing room, everyone can get a good view of the stage. It’s an incredible place to watch a performance and previous acts have included Elton John, Britney Spears, Gary Barlow, Kylie, Noel Gallagher, Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers, Biffy Clyro, Little Mix and Lewis Capaldi.
Sea fishing
Scarborough is a great spot for sea fishing with a wealth of species to hook, including cod, bass, whiting, pollack, coalfish, wrasse, dabs, thornback rays and mackerel. You can choose from boat angling and charter a vessel to head a bit deeper, or try your hand at shore fishing, joining the locals at the popular rock mark in front of the Sealife Centre at Scalby. The sea wall here is a lovely spot to fish when the tide is high but do note that it can get busy.
There are many companies offering boat fishing trips so do shop around and if you’re on holiday in September, look out for the Scarborough Angling Festival. See here for fishing charters in or near Scarborough.
Scarborough is filled with independent shops and eateries, so my advice is to stay away from the big chains and look for something a little more individual during your visit.
Scarborough Market Hall and Vaults is a good place to start as it has three floors of shops and stalls to browse, with everything from art supplies and handcrafted jewellery to crystals to honeycomb. The various streets close to South Bay beach are also a treasure trove of small shops such as Scarborough Vintage and Old Toy Shop, Lilly’s Treasures Hand Made Boutique and Mrs Lofthouse’s Emporium where you can buy and exchange second-hand books.
For food and drink, head to Deli Delicious in the Market Hall to pick up supplies for a picnic in Peasholm Park or try Eat Me, part of the independent Stephen Joseph Theatre, which serves breakfast and brunch classics alongside a range of Asian-inspired dishes. For a delicious evening meal, I recommend Embers by Dan Hargreaves, which has a seasonal menu showcasing fresh, local ingredients.
Places to stay in Scarborough
Now that we’ve covered almost everything there is to do in Scarborough, all that’s left is to find a holiday cottage that’s right for you and your group of family or friends. Throughout Yorkshire, we have cottages with enclosed gardens, and in Scarborough itself, we have holiday lets with sea views, dog-friendly accommodation and homes-away-from-home large enough for big groups. Find your perfect Scarborough spot today.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.