Scarborough Things to Do

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The castle stands high above the town and the headland between the two bays with sheer drops to the sea with only a narrow approach from the town near St Marys. Specially constructed viewing platforms on the battlements offer panoramic views.
Before the castle was built prehistoric settlers settled here and later the Romans built a signal station here.
Henry II's towering 12th-century keep, dominating the approach, is the centrepiece of fortifications developed over later centuries in response to repeated sieges - notably by rebel barons in 1312, by Tudor rebels, and twice during the English Civil War. Though again strengthened with barracks and gun-batteries against Jacobite threats in 1745, the castle failed to defend the harbour against the American sea-raider John Paul Jones in 1779, and was itself damaged by German naval bombardment in 1914.
Entry fees are on the website and allow at least 90 minutes for a visit. The views from the castle are stunning.

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I include this as Things to Do tip as this hotel has many important and historical aspects - it is worth examining as a place of interest in its own right.
This site was originally the lodgings in Scarborough for the Brontes and the house was called Woods Lodgings - Anne Bronte died here in 1849. A plaque on the wall commemorates this.
The Grand Hotel was built in 1867 and the building is designed around the theme of time: four towers to represent the seasons, 12 floors for the months of the year, 52 chimneys symbolise the weeks, and originally there were 365 bedrooms, one for each day of the year. The hotel itself is in the shape of a 'V' in honour of Queen Victoria. It was once the largest hotel in Europe. As Scarborough was a famous spa town, the building's baths originally included an extra pair of taps, so guests could wash in seawater as well as fresh water.
Locals will tell you the main staircase on the Titanic was based on the staircase of the hotel - I include a photo - but I can find nothing to confirm this.

One of the most impressive bridges in England - it was built because there was quite a deep descent to the sea-front from the St. Nicholas Cliff area of the town and a link across the valley to the town centre was needed.
In 1826 a new company, The Cliff Bridge Company, leased the Spa from the corporation and in order to maximise its commercial potential proceeded to erect an elegant iron footbridge to span the chasm of the valley from St Nicholas Cliff to the Spa. Towering some 75’ from the valley below and some 414’ long and 13.5’ wide.
The bridge provided an excellent promenade and wonderful views for those wishing to while away a few hours by the sea whilst also providing an excellent link to the towns more southerly attractions.
It was formally opened on the 19th July 1827.
The bridge proved so popular that a toll- booth was erected at the St. Nicholas Cliff end of the bridge. For the holiday-maker or local, season tickets were available giving unlimited access to the bridge and Spa for one, two or four week periods.
The bridge continued, and indeed still continues to be a valuable link from St. Nicholas Cliff to the Spa and to the Holbeck area of town and in 1951 it was purchased by the corporation. The tollbooths were demolished the following year and the pay-boxes removed a year later.
The Spa Bridge still retains its Victorian spleandours and still gives its wonderful coastal views and dramatic drop to the valley below. For both aesthetic value and a reminder of the elegance of the Victorian era it should be included in any visitor’s exploration of Scarborough. (Mainly from the website)

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The most famous and finest of Scarborough's churches which is full of history and beauty. Anne Brontes grave can be seen in the grounds.
Also inside this beautiful church is a Bronte corner where you can see a copy of a death certificate of Anne Bronte.
Tea and coffee and some small snacks are available on Mondays to Fridays through the day from 11.00 to 16.00.

On a recent break to Scarborough we tried to find somewhere to eat that 1) Allowed Children in 2) that wasn't a little cafe or McDonalds 3) that wouldn't require a remortgage haha. After a couple of days we stumbled upon The Barbican.

When we walked in we where informed by staff that children where allowed in until 9pm that evening.

We only waited 15min for 6main meals and 2 kids meals.

It only cost £60 for all of us including drinks.

They had gorgeous home made stone baked pizzas which we got 2 for the pice of 1 :)

drive along to Ayton on the racecourse road before turn into road on right hand side GHSQ and folow road past heir entrance Walk towards the north and you will come acrosss the beacon which was used for warning people when the vikings were attaking !

Come back down the road and go onto Irton Moor Lane stop off at a delighrful coffee shop and garden centre then carry on towards Seamer to visit the beautiful old norman chruch Return bck to Scarborough In all about 2 hours including a coffee a walk and short drive

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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.