Scarborough
Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Situated in North Yorkshire, this coastal town is well known for its beautiful rocky promontory, separating the idyllic coastline into two bays - North and South. Also, sitting high on a hill, in the middle of these is the incredible Scarborough Castle.
The area is enjoyed by local, domestic and international tourists alike and is the largest holiday resort on the Yorkshire Coast. In comparison to other cities in the United Kingdom, Scarborough is noticeably quieter and with its significantly older demographic, combines to emulate a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. (Although, it would be fair to say that if England were to experience a heat wave, during peak summer/over a weekend, then it would definitely be far less relaxing).
Location:
North Yorkshire, England
108km W of Leeds, 147 km S of Newcastle
Our Experience:
We caught the train from Leeds to Scarborough and walked the short journey from the station to the beach, where we enjoyed the feeling of sand in our toes for the first time in months. As it was low tide we also walked through the rock-pools, before heading up one of the beach tracks to find a nice picnic spot.
We were due to meet a friend in the city for lunch, so we decided to walk back through the beach garden trails, heading upwards until we found a beautiful garden and then the infamous Grand Hotel, which was rumoured to be Adolf Hitler's first choice for his personal palace if Nazi Germany were successful in invading Britain.
We then meet up with our friend Sam at a really trendy place called Eat Me, which has some amazing vegan, vegetarian and meat options, and absolutely fantastic coffee (which is saying something, considering England’s standard).
In the afternoon, we walked up the hill to the castle, but opted to save our money and walk around the outside of the walls instead. We then headed to the North Bay, which due to the high tide and massive winds, the promenade was completely soaked with incoming waves.
Just 100m down we discovered the most colourful array of beach chalets, which proved to be a great photo opportunity and a great spot for the lucky owners of the chalet to enjoy a cup of tea on a cold English summers day.
As the afternoon wore on, we decided it was a time for a beverage and so we headed to the Newcastle Packet. But not before stopping at the 2p arcades were we lost a whole 25p on the sliders. After a quick beer and cider, we walked back up to the train station and were on our way back to Leeds.
Points of Interest:
Scarborough Castle:
Certainly a must see (even on a budget) that you can appreciate, particularly from the North Bay (along the grassy outcrop). There is a path that follows the castle wall to some stairs which lead down to the water (it is a much steeper climb if heading in the opposite direction)
Adult £6.50 Child £3.90
10-6pm Monday to Sunday (30 March to 30 September)
Click here for the website.
Arcades:
Situated on the South Bay, with budget friendly 2p games and several arcades to choose from along the street, it's a sensory overload and you literally can't miss seeing them.
Beach Chalets:
Situated in the North Bay are several rows of bright colourful huts, including some impressive double story chalets, perfect for cute photos and retirement planning.
Lighthouse/Harbour:
If you are walking from bay to bay, it would be rude not to spend a few minutes admiring the lighthouse and harbour area. When we visited there was also a little carnival set up, but this may be seasonal.
Spa Bridge South Cliff:
Heading back into town from the South Bay, there is a really brightly painted turquoise blue bridge, which provides a great view of the South Bay and a good photo opportunity.
Beach and Beach Walks:
If visiting during low tide, the beach itself is lovely to walk across, if you head along the South Bay towards the point, there are several paths leading up the hill. If you have the time, choose a path and spend an hour or so walking through the lovely gardens and natural paths, with beautiful views of the sea and town.
Scarborough Tramways:
For those that are too tired to walk up or down the hill to the beach, there are several tramways available to catch the quick journey to the beach or back to town. The Central Tramway is open between 9:30am to 6:45pm from mid-February until late-October and a single fair will put you back £1.
Useful Information:
Getting to Scarborough:
Train:
From Leeds
Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes
Times: Every hour between 7-10pm
Prices: £9-13 (if you get an Advanced Ticket)
https://www.thetrainline.com
Bus:
From Leeds
Duration: 2 hours 51 minutes
Times: Once or twice an hour between 6am-5pm
Prices: £10-20
https://www.checkmybus.com
Information Centre:
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Westborough, Scarborough YO11 1JW
3 Pavilion Terrace, Scarborough YO11 2JU
Turn right from the train station, and both centres are on or around the corner.
We also vlogged our day in Scarborough...You can check it out here: