Scarborough Sports & Outdoors

When there are strong winds, as often in Scarborough, surfers are in heaven. You can just about make out their heads in this picture. Both the South and North beaches can be used and small boards are even for sale in the seaside shops if you don't expect Australian standards :)

Let's face it - this is what most people come for. Some people even stay in the Grand Hotel in the picture (James Herriot of vet fame did during his military service but that was different as it was during the war). If you don't want to splash out on that, just stroll along with the rest of the crowd. Cricket playing families, donkeys and tourists. When you're tired, just sit down at one of the many fish & chip shops along the seafront. Afterwards, visit the little armusement park beyond the lighthouse. Scarborough is its beach life.

Atlantis is the outdoor swimming and water fun park in the Norh Bay (by Peasholm Park). It always looked a tad cold when I was a kid, and I've never once been in it. Susan says that she has, but can't remember much. These days the pool is heated and boasts two of the country's longest tube slides.

Equipment: Swimming cozzie, towels.

Apart from the beach, the fun fairs, the amusements, the donkeys, the boating lake, the rock pool and so on and so on (so really, if there's not enough for kids already) there's a skateboard/rollerblade/BMX park set on the North Cliffs, just below the castle. A great place for the kids to practice their skills, and just look at the setting.

Equipment: Skateboard/blades/BMX, crash helmet, knee/elbow pads, courage.