From Wikitravel

For other places with the same name, see Scarborough (disambiguation).

Scarborough [1] is North Yorkshire's third largest town with a population of around 60,000. It is a Victorian spa resort situated on the North Sea coast. Safe sandy beaches and a mineral spa have made Scarborough one of the great Northern seaside resorts for decades past.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

The main route into Scarborough from Yorkshire and the south is the A64 from Leeds and York - a trunk route with a mix of dual- and single-carriageway, it can get very busy during the summer and at weekends.

Other routes are the A170 from Thirsk and Pickering and the coastal routes - the A165 to the south, from Hull and the East Riding, and the A171 to the north, from Whitby and Teesside. Again, heavy traffic can be a problem.

Although there is plenty of parking in the town centre, it can get filled up quickly during the summer, and if you are just visiting for the day, you may find it easiest to use the Park & Ride at Weaponness, clearly signposted as you approach the town centre.

A daily, continuous Park & Ride service operates throughout the year from Weaponness Valley Road car park, see National Park and Ride Directory

[edit] By train

TransPennine Express run an hourly fast train service to York, Leeds and Manchester, with onward connections to the rest of the country. Northern Rail run a less frequent service down the coast to Bridlington and Hull.

[edit] By bus

Arriva run an hourly service from Middlesbrough, Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay (timetable for X56), with additional services during the summer (timetable for 93).

For passengers on a budget, National Express run a coach once daily from London.

Coastliner run an hourly bus to York and Leeds (timetable for 843), and EYMS run an hourly bus to Bridlington and Hull (timetable for 121). These are slower than the train services, but are cheaper.

[edit] Get around

Some of the attractions in Scarborough are along the seafront, some are in the town centre a short walk inland up the steep main road. When you get to either area everything will be easily walkable for most people. There are regular buses[2] if you don't feel like walking.

There is an extensive local bus service[3] serving all areas of the town and nearby villages, using modern low-floor buses, operated by Scarborough & District.

Although the town is an ideal size to cycle around, much of it is quite hilly, so less fit cyclists may find it a challenge.

[edit][add listing] See

• Scarborough Castle [4]

• Harbour and fish quay

• Oliver's Mount

• Anne Bronte's Grave

[edit][add listing] Do

The Castle headland divides the coast into two bays, each different in character. South Bay is developed, and you'll find amusement arcades, a funfair, the harbour, the Spa complex, donkey rides, and all the colour of a traditional English seaside resort. North Bay, by contrast, is relatively undeveloped and is quieter.

• The Stephen Joseph Theatre is one of the few theatres outside London where new plays are reviewed in the national newspapers, and is where all of local resident Sir Alan Ayckbourn's plays are premièred.

• Walk around... The cobbled street next to the Futurist Theatre on the Foreshore has beautiful art work on the walls. Other walks you should do include the Italian Gardens on the South Bay, just off the Esplanade. Walk up and around Oliver's Mount, which offers spectacular views around the town. A walk to the castle offers rewarding views of both North and South Bay, as well as being able to view the grave of Anne Bronte in St. Mary's churchyard (the only Bronte not to be buried in Haworth).

• Jump on one of the Open Top buses which travel from the Spa to Peasholm Park to enjoy the entire seafront and Castle headland.

• Scarborough's popular miniature railway travels from Peasholm to Scalby Mills around the former Open Air Museum. With tunnels, bridges and stations, it's just like a normal train service, just smaller.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Rock - preferably pink with "Scarborough" written in it.

[edit][add listing] Eat

The Harbour Bar on the foreshore, South Bay, has the best icecream in town (for summer). Its fantastic, kitsch yet completely genuine 1930s ice-cream parlour and coffee shop that also serves horlicks, hot chocolate,Bovril drinks and an assortment of snacks (just what you need to warm you up after a walk on the sea-front on a cold winters day). It is restored to its original form every ten years or so at great expense.

For good fish and chips, you should try Mother Hubbards or Wackers in the town center but all the fish and chip shops are reasonably good. Cafe Fish on York Place is also excellent.

Coffee at it's best - Roasters. Fully qualified Barista and boy it shows. mmm.. coffee

The Cask public house at the south end of Valley Bridge offers good quality meals at reasonable prices.

For a world renowned restaurant, try the Lanterna on Queen Street. Difficult to get in, but serves quality Italian food.

Florios, on Aberdeen Walk is a popular, and very busy, Italian restaurant.

Scarborough has a number of Indian restaurants, the Indian Rose on Victora Road and the Scarborough Tandoori on St. Thomas Street are two of the most popular.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are a vast number of hotels and guest houses ranging from three/four star hotels to small guest houses. Get in touch with the local tourist office and they'll send you a list.

Alternatively you could try:

• Swallow St Nicholas St Nicholas Cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2EU, ☎ 01723 364101 (res.stnicholas@crerarmgmt.com). Situated in the centre of Scarborough offering restaurant and leisure facilities.

• Berry Banks Cottage Whitby Just a small commute from Scarborough is the coastal fishing town of Whitby. Berry Banks Cottage is in an outstanding and tranquil location in an elevated position above the valley of the River Esk and by the side of a Grade II listed railway viaduct. Riverside View, Whitby.

[edit] Get out

If you're having an extended stay in the coastal town and it's nice weather get out on your bike and visit Forge Valley woods, or cycle part of the old railway route to Whitby.

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