10 Facts You May Not Know About Scarborough

Beyond the sandy beaches and bustling amusement arcades, Scarborough holds a treasure trove of little-known history. As the UK's first seaside resort, it boasts the world's oldest theatre-in-the-round, a Grand Hotel designed around the calendar, and a prehistoric past deeper than many realise. Discover the secret stories behind the resort. Here are some of the most fascinating rare facts about Scarborough:

1. The "Stonehenge" of the North

Did you know the oldest house in Britain was found just outside Scarborough? Excavations at Star Carr near Seamer discovered a house dated back to 8,500 BC. This incredible Mesolithic site is considered as significant to archaeological history as Stonehenge is to the Neolithic period.

2. A Hotel Built by the Calendar

When the Grand Hotel was completed in 1867, it was the largest in Europe. Its design is a masterpiece of hidden symbolism representing time: 4 Towers: Representing the four seasons.12 Floors: Representing the months.52 Chimneys: Representing the weeks of the year.365 Bedrooms: Originally, one for every day.

3. Birthplace of "Web Search" Technology

The technology behind modern search engines has roots in Scarborough. Jonathon Fletcher, who created JumpStation—generally regarded as the world's first true web-crawling search engine—comes from the town.

4. A Record-Breaking Tuna Fishery

In 1933, a massive tunny (tuna) weighing \(851 \text{lbs}\) (\(386 \text{kg}\)) was caught off the Scarborough coast, breaking the British record. This cemented the town's reputation in the early 20th century as a premier destination for big-game fishing.

5. The World's First Seaside Resort

Long before it was a family seaside favourite, Scarborough was a health destination. The discovery of mineral springs in 1626 led to the creation of the Scarborough Spa, making it one of the earliest, if not the first, seaside resorts in the world.

6. Anne Brontë's Final Resting Place

The celebrated novelist Anne Brontë passed away in Scarborough on May 28, 1849, while visiting for her health. She was only 29 years old. She is buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church, which overlooks the South Bay and the castle.

7. The Original "Theatre in the Round"

Scarborough is home to the first-ever Stephen Joseph Theatre in the round in the UK, established in 1955. This venue is famous for being the venue where many of Sir Alan Ayckbourn's plays premiered.

8. The Dinosaur Coast

The Scarborough coastline is a vital location for paleontologists. So many fossils have been found there that it is nicknamed the "Dinosaur Coast". The Rotunda Museum is dedicated to this rich geological history.

9. Hidden Viking Heritage

The town was founded around 966 AD by a Viking raider named Thorgils Skarthi. The name "Scarborough" actually stems from this Viking heritage, meaning "Skarthi’s fort".

10. The First WWI Bombardment

Scarborough suffered significantly during World War I. On December 16, 1914, the town was bombarded by German warships, causing the first civilian deaths on British soil during the conflict