One of the town’s most striking features is its rocky headland, on top of which sits the 11th century ruins of Scarborough Castle, which was bombarded by the German warships in the First World War. Jutting out eastward into the North Sea, the headland splits Scarborough’s two sandy beaches, North Bay and South Bay, which are linked by Marine Drive, an extensive Victorian promenade, built around the base of the headland. Both bays have a wide range of local attractions, popular sandy beaches and numerous rock-pools at low tide.

South Bay

The South Bay was the site of the original early medieval settlement and the harbour, which form the current Old Town, and remains one of the main focuses for tourism, with a sandy beach, cafes, amusements, arcades, theatres and entertainment facilities.

Scarborough harbour has undergone major regeneration in recent years including new pontoons; free WiFi for visiting vessels and more pedestrian-friendly promenade, street lighting and seating.

North Bay

The North Bay, with its Blue Flag award-winning beach, is popular with families and couples alike and has traditionally been the more peaceful end of the resort.

North Bay is also home to Peasholm Park, which has recently been restored to its Japanese-themed best, complete with reconstructed pagoda. The park still features its famous ‘Naval Warfare’ attraction – a mock maritime battle (based on the Battle of the River Plate) re-enacted on the boating lake with large model boats and fireworks throughout the summer holiday season.

Within the park you will also find The North Bay Railway, a historic 20” gauge miniature railway, operating since 1931 and running for around 3/4 of a mile from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills, home of the Scarborough Sea Life & Marine Sanctuary.

South Cliff

Slightly less well known is the South Cliff Esplanade situated above the historic Scarborough Spa and South Cliff Gardens, commanding excellent views of the South Bay and the old town and from which many iconic postcard views are taken. Its splendid Regency and Victorian terraces are still intact and the mix of quality Scarborough hotels and desirable apartments form a backdrop to the South Bay. Scarborough’s South Cliff is also home to ITV television drama The Royal and its recent spin-off series, The Royal Today, which are both filmed in this area.

Scarborough Town Centre

The town centre is located approximately a quarter mile north-west of the harbour, where you will find the main transport links services, shopping, nightlife and town centre hotels Scarborough has to offer.

The resort centre provides a great choice of high street shops and boutiques. The Brunswick Centre is a prestigious all-weather shopping centre with a department store and thirty-five other retail outlets. The Centre is located in Scarborough’s pedestrianised shopping precinct, which, with the surrounding streets, has many individual boutiques, specialist shops and inviting cafes, restaurants and bars.

Scarborough Entertainment

Day or night you’ll never be stuck for something to do or see, with a whole host of first class local attractions in Scarborough such as the award winning SeaLife and Marine Sanctuary, Scarborough Art Gallery, the newly refurbished Rotunda Museum and much more. Plus there’s a whole host of Scarborough festivals, including Beached, the Yorkshire Coast’s biggest free live music festival, ‘Acoustic Gathering’, a free one day music festival held annually in Peasholm Park, Seafest, the Scarborough Jazz Festival, Bike week, Scarborough Fayre and the Scarborough Cricket Festival, providing you with all year round events.

When visiting Scarborough, one thing is for certain; whatever you decide to do or wherever you decide to visit you will always receive that warm Yorkshire welcome!