Scarborough Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
South Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a beach
Gaze up at the iconic limestone cliffs rising from the North Sea in this lively town with a history of explorers.

Scarborough is a coastal town full of traditions, family activities and historic landmarks. It has pleasant beaches with amusement arcades and pubs that attract visitors during summer. Learn about the apprenticeship of one of Europe’s foremost explorers in this port commune.

Among the town’s most historic attractions is the North Bay Railway, which has been running for almost a century. Take the kids on a ride on the miniature railway and learn to control the train yourself. Discover the complex’s range of fun activities, allowing you to walk on water in a hamster ball and balance as you cross elevated ropes and beams.

Rent a boat for a serene trip around the lake in Peasholm Park. It features a hilltop pagoda on an island in the lake. Gather around the lake for a concert or naval warfare battle.

Several beaches surround the town the main two are North Bay Beach and South Bay Beach. Relish the tranquility around the wild terrain of North Bay. Near South Bay, visit the pubs, bars and boutiques facing the sea.

Spend hours looking around the fascinating exhibits in the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Learn about James Cook and his adventures into a world unknown to Europeans. The museum is based in the house where he served as an apprentice.

Try local specialties, such as fish and chips and other seafood at a restaurant overlooking the town’s limestone cliffs and the North Sea. The locals are known as Scarborians. Enjoy the warm summers with a trip to the beach. Wrap up warm in the windy winter.

The town in Yorkshire County is on the North Sea coast in northeastern England. It is near the cities of York, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Hull. Drive north for 4 or 5 hours from London to reach the coastal town.

Scarborough is a place of thrilling family adventure based around the traditions of the seafaring explorers from the past.

Where to stay in Scarborough

Scarborough which includes a luxury hotel or resort and a coastal town

Scarborough City Centre

4/5(1 area review)

Scarborough City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, lively bars and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like South Bay Beach or Mecca Bingo while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Scarborough City Centre
Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
3 out of 5
St. Nicholas Cliff, Scarborough, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$82 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$82
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Scarborough. Enjoy 2 restaurants, a beach locale, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
5.6/10 (1,824 reviews)
"Enjoyed my stay.... Hotel in a central location...... Helpful friendly staff..... Very good location for shops, seafront and walking. 👍👍"

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 2024

Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough by Compass Hospitality
Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough by Compass Hospitality
4 out of 5
The Esplanade, Scarborough, England
The price is NZ$113 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
NZ$113
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Scarborough. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Trip to York, overnight stay in Scarborough.
"Really nice stay in the first building built for tourism in the nineteenth century. Georgian in style and comfortable inside but only two downsides are that the building could do with some maintenance at the rear and the windows a clean due to seabird guano as the property is built on a cliff top, ..."

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 2024

Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough by Compass Hospitality
The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel
3.5 out of 5
St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$124 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$124
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Scarborough. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"OK"

Reviewed on 9 Apr. 2024

The Royal Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Five Star Stays
Five Star Stays
4 out of 5
10-11 Main Street Seamer, Seamer, Scarborough, England
Stay at this 4-star cottage in Scarborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Scarborough Open Air Theatre and North ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (97 reviews)
"Cottage was amazingly my really clean, and the decor was amazing will definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on 2 Apr. 2024

Five Star Stays
The Sands - Sea Front Apartments
The Sands - Sea Front Apartments
5 out of 5
Unit 6, Kepwick House, Peasholm Gap, Scarborough, England
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Scarborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions North Bay Beach and Scarborough ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (118 reviews)
"Great location with helpful and friendly staff but it was very difficult to get a decent flow of hot water in the shower."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

The Sands - Sea Front Apartments
40ft x 20ft luxury holiday lodge near Scarborough; 3 bed, sleeps 6, hot tub
40ft x 20ft luxury holiday lodge near Scarborough; 3 bed, sleeps 6, hot tub
Burniston
Stay at this vacation home in Scarborough. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (204 reviews)
2 night midweek break
"Wonderful place to stay. Great location. Nice to catch the bus to the seaside towns."

Reviewed on 3 Apr. 2024

40ft x 20ft luxury holiday lodge near Scarborough; 3 bed, sleeps 6, hot tub
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Scarborough

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 16.666666666666668%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 16.666666666666668%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 16.666666666666668%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Jun 2019

Loved Scarborough and will come back

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Apr 2019

We really loved Scarborough. There was so much to do like visiting scarborough castle, the south beach area and Peasholm Park. Very easy to walk around and there are buses or hop on/off buses as well. We visited Whitby, 40 minute drive.

Cities near Scarborough