As English seaside towns go, there are lots of things to do in Scarborough. Visit the ruins of the historic Scarborough Castle; stroll along the golden sands of Scarborough Beach; pop into traditional fish and chip shops along the promenade; and explore the town center’s old pubs and independent shops. Once a Victorian hotspot, Scarborough’s ornate buildings and parks hark back to the 1800s—and you can still use two of the town’s 140-year-old funicular trams to travel down its steep cliffs to the seafront.
Scarborough is hugely popular during the British summer holidays, which start in June and end in August. To avoid the crowds, visit during May when the weather is good or in September to enjoy the last of the summer sun. If you visit Scarborough during the fall and winter, you’ll be treated to dramatic scenery as the North Sea waves crash against the cliffs and rocky beaches nearby. Christmas is also a lovely time to visit the markets and traditional events.
The bus services in and around Scarborough are excellent, and there are day and multi-day ticket options available to help you save money if you’re planning to travel far and wide. The funiculars are useful for hopping down to the beach from the town center (or vice versa), and there are boat cruises in the spring and summer seasons that travel from the harbor up and down the coast. There is also a well-used train line that runs directly to Leeds and Newcastle. Local taxi firms are friendly but can be pricey if not pre-booked.
The Sea Life aquarium is a must-visit, but for nature-loving travelers, there’s a lot more wildlife to see. Nearby are the Burton Riggs, Harland Mount, and Filey Dams nature reserves, whose habitats include freshwater lakes, wetlands, and marshland. Ideal for birdwatching, hiking, and seeing local flora and fauna, each of the reserves is free to enter.
