Scarborough Things to Do

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Peasholme Park is 100 years old this year (2011) and remains one of Englands best municipal parks. Set around a large lake it has a Japanese theme and a pagoda stands high on the hill in the middle of the lake.
There is a cafe and plenty of seating , and a variety of boats can be hired on the lake.
In the evenings the park is illuminated and provides a wonderful night-time walk.
Peashome Glen leaves the main park and stretches up a hill - there is a brook running along the pathway and a tree lined main path has many paths off which can be explored.
Entrance to the park is free and it is open 24 hours a day and every day of the year.

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Scarboroughs Sea Life Centre magnificent ocean tank has been spectacularly transformed to become Turtle Reef, with its own colourful Caribbean-style coral reef and hundreds of dazzling reef fish sharing quarters with turtles and tropical sharks.
Situated in the very north of town it is a short bus ride or a long walk but the best way to get there in the summer is to take the minature train from near the swimming pool at Peasolme Park.
My photo taken from the castle is not the best but it is the white buidings in the distance . I also have one taken from the car park.
Rather expensive but tickets are cheaper if booked in advance on line. A good place for a rainy afternoon.

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One of my favourite spots in Scarborough, a footbridge going over the busy junction between "Valley Road" & Foreshaw Road. It links the street "St. Nicholas Cliff" (where the "Grand Hotel" is perched) with the Cliff-side path down to the Spa Theatre / Conference centre.

It has scenic views in every direction imaginable...... out to sea, up valley road towards valley bridge & Rotunda museum, up the coast towards the Grand Hotel + the Beach + Scarborough Castle, and down the coast towards the cliffs.

This is the only children's animal farm I am aware of in the Scarborough area. Situated at East Ayton this is a farm where children can meet goats , pigs, ponys, donkeys , rabbits and guinea pigs. There is a large selection of toy tractors and play equipment. There is a tea room, farm shop and a honey bee exhibition.

The Diving Bell statue was brought to Vincents Pier and stands in front of the lighthouse looking out to sea on completion in 2007. This is a beautiful structure of a female diver in bronze and commemorates Scarborough becoming England's first sea bathing resort in the 17th Century.

Scarborough’s lighthouse stands on Vincent’s Pier, built in the 18th century and named after its engineer, William Vincent. Defining a date of initial construction for the lighthouse itself is difficult due to the lack of archive material, but research suggests that building commenced sometime between 1801 and 1806, after which a permanent brick structure existed, paid for by many of the vessels entering the harbour. No doubt there were alterations to the lighthouse during the late 19th century, but sadly very little archival evidence exists from this period that would allow an accurate description of any changes.
At around 8 a.m. on December 16, 1914 the town was bombarded by a German ship and the lighthouse (and town) damaged and the tower had to be demolished. It was rebuilt in 1931.
The lighthouse is no longer a 24 hour manned lighthouse but it remains a great landmark and makes for an interesting walk around it perimeter when visiting Vincents Pier.

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The Italian Gardens are a tranquil delight and nestle in trees high up on the south bay. Not widely known and a little way from the main attractions they are definitely worth finding. The entrance is the ornate archway on the South Esplanade opposite Holbeck Road. There are steps down from here - pass a shelter on your left and then take more steps down. Here there is a great viewpoint over the town but pass here to your left and then be amazed at your first sight of the Italian Gardens.
Planting out does take place in the spring but the gardens are at their best in July and August.

Scarborough first had an open air theatre built in 1932 but by the 1980s this had fallen in to disrepair but in May 2010 the Queen opened the towns new open air theatre which will open to the public in July 2010. When it opens it will be Europe's largest open air theatre.
The 2010 season starts with the first ever concert with Jose Carreas and Kiri Te Kanawa appearing together and after that Doves, 80s revival tour with Nik Kershaw, T'Pau, Heaven 17 etc and Justin from CBBC.
I saw the theatre for the first time shortly after the Queen opened it and construction is continuing but there appears to be no roof over the large seating area.
Photo to follow.