Scarborough Things to Do

The Rotunda museum can be sen as you enter Scarborough (just before the valley footbridge). It was described as the finest surviving purpose-built museum of its age. It was built in 1828 to a design as suggested by William Smith, ‘Father of English Geology’.

On display are geological exhibits -from the Mesolithic site at Star Carr, and 'Gristhorpe Man', a Bronze Age tree trunk burial. Displays also explore the more recent history of the town.

Temporary exhibitions, hands-on activities and holiday activities are a feature, and we also have a gift shop selling cards, prints, books and souvenirs.

Scarborough lighthouse was destroyed by German naval bombardment on 16th December 1914 but has since been rebuilt and opened again on 23rd September 1931.
Its located on the central pier - there are actually 3 piers here the one between the fishing port and the yacht marina.

On the edge of a cliff along the North Yorkshire coast, a perfect look out spot, is Scarborough Castle which dominates the town and harbour some 300 ft below. There is evidence of a roman fort being here but the first medieval castle was built by William le Gros, Count of Aumale, in the 1130's. The castle was reconstructed as a barracks in the 18th century and bombarded by German battle cruisers in 1914.

On the jetty by the lighthouse there ia this 1914 Vickers Pattern 13 Pdr Gun. It was raised by Scarborough Sub-Aqua Club and local fishermen in 1982 from the wreck of SS Hornsund, sunk by torpedo on 23rd September 1917, 2.5 miles south-east of its present location

Climbing up to the Valley Footbridge (see general tips) and turning to the rightg you reach the Spa Complex. I guess in Victorian times this was where they came to "take the waters" now its a theatre/concert area and delightfull tea room area with lovely views acros the bay behind a glass shelter.

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The old town nestles beneath the Castle and is an interesting place to walk but beware some streets are very steep and some streets are linked by steps. There are some interesting houses and interesting pubs in these streets which I guess stood the homes of the fishing community at one time.
A good walk is to walk up from the harbour and through the old town and then into North Bay from up near the castle.

Past the Spa Complex is a promenade leading to some beach huts (pastel coloured huts) which can be hired out for the day or week and just above this is tea house. Perfect place for a cuppa and a cake whilst taking in the views of the bay from this elevated position.

Scarborough harbour area has a deep water harbour where the cargo boats and trawlers dock and various other privately owned water craft - and the shallower harbour where privately owned yachts are moored. It was quite a colourful site on this warm sunny day.