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Castle
Scarborough Castle
Ruined medieval royal fortress on the headland; the site also has Iron Age and Roman remains. Cared for by English Heritage.
A mini guide to
Scarborough
Two sandy bays, a castle headland and the resort that grew from a spa
Photos
1 / 7Welcome to the area
Two sandy bays, a castle headland and the resort that grew from a spa
Scarborough is the largest town on the Yorkshire coast. A headland crowned by the ruined castle divides the seafront into the North and South bays, both with sandy beaches, linked by the Victorian Marine Drive around the foot of the cliff. The harbour and old town sit below the castle on the South Bay side.
The town's spa waters were found in 1626, and Scarborough grew into a seaside resort: the Spa, the Rotunda Museum of 1829 and the Grand Hotel of 1867 all date from that growth. Today there are theatres, a miniature railway, Peasholm Park and the Cleveland Way along the cliffs.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
Rotunda Museum
Curved museum built in 1829, one of the first purpose-built museums in the country, with Jurassic geology from the Yorkshire coast.
Gallery
Scarborough Art Gallery
Gallery in a Grade II* Italianate villa on The Crescent, run by Scarborough Museums Trust.
Park
Peasholm Park
Oriental-themed park opened in 1912, with a boating lake where mock naval battles are staged.
Historic venue
Scarborough Spa
Grade II* listed venue on the South Bay, built around the source of the spa waters; run by North Yorkshire Council.
Church
St Mary's Church
Parish church high above the old town, just below the castle.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Scarborough and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Two bays
The castle headland separates the North Bay (Peasholm Park, the North Bay Railway) from the South Bay (harbour, the Spa, the Grand Hotel).
2
Castle opening
Scarborough Castle is run by English Heritage; check its page for opening days, which are shorter in winter.
3
Walk Marine Drive
Marine Drive runs around the foot of the headland and links the two bays on the flat.
4
Theatre in the round
The Stephen Joseph Theatre was the first theatre in the round in Britain; check its listings for what is on.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Scarborough (area photo): derek dye, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Scarborough Castle: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Rotunda Museum: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Scarborough Art Gallery: Christopher Hall, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Peasholm Park: Ian G Shingler, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Scarborough Spa: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- St Mary's Church: John Slater, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Scarborough Lighthouse: P Astbury, CC BY 4.0, source
- North Bay Railway: Voice of Clam, Public domain, source
- Stephen Joseph Theatre: Daantje van Delft, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Scarborough Open Air Theatre: Hullian111, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Scarborough Harbour: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Central Tramway: Mike Faherty, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Grand Hotel: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Harrogate & Knaresborough: David Rogers, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- North York Moors: JThomas, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Yorkshire Dales: F. C. Franklin, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay: ianpudsey, CC BY 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Yorkshire