35 Family Things To Do In Scarborough During The Summer Holidays!
Scarborough is the ultimate British summer holiday getaway. This classic seaside town packs golden beaches, thrilling rides, and rich history into one vibrant trip. With arcades, dramatic cliffs, and top-tier food, families will never run out of things to do. Here is your ultimate guide to 35 amazing activities...
- South & South Bay Beaches: Enjoy traditional seaside fun on this wide stretch of golden sand. Great for paddling and perfect for building sandcastles. Looking for a quieter beach day? Head to North bay Beach for a vast expanse of sand, great surf, and colourful beach huts.
- Visit Scarborough Guided Walking Tour: Contact us to arrange a bespoke guided walking tour designed to fit around your visit!
- Cayton Bay: This wilder, sweeping bay is just south of town. It is a top spot for bodyboarding and surfing.
- Donkey Rides: Grab a classic ice cream and enjoy a traditional donkey ride along the soft sand of South Bay.
- Rock Pooling: When the tide goes out, the rocky areas become a haven for tiny sea creatures. It is great for little explorers. Make sure you check tide times!
- Deckchair Trail: 10 giant deckchairs have been placed around Scarborough
- Marine Drive: Take a scenic walk or bike ride along this sweeping coastal road connecting the two bays.
- Scarborough Castle: Head through the imposing gatehouse and explore 3,000 years of history. It sits high on a cliff offering sweeping coastal views.
- SEA LIFE Scarborough: Dive into an underwater world. Walk through the penguin enclosure and see blacktip reef sharks up close.
- North Bay Railway: Take a ride on the country's biggest miniature railway. It travels a mile from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills.
- Alpamare Waterpark: Cool off at this huge Swiss-themed water park. It features an outdoor heated wave pool, splash zones, and thrilling slides.
- Scarborough Fair Collection: Discover vintage fairground rides, mechanical organs, and vintage cars at this unique museum.
- Cliff Trams: Ride Britain’s oldest funicular cliff railway next to Scarborough Spa. Or take a trip on the Central Tramway which whisks you from the beach up to the town centre.
- Luna Park: Enjoy classic seaside amusement park rides and fairground games right on the seafront.
- Peasholm Park: Hire a pedalo or rowing boat on the oriental-themed boating lake. Watch the famous mock Naval Warfare battle. Make sure you explore Peasholm Glen too!
- Oliver’s Mount: Drive up to the war memorial for panoramic views of the town. It is the perfect spot for a picnic.
- South Cliff Dino Hunt: Follow a fun family trail to find 160-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.
- The Rotunda Museum: Learn about Scarborough's geological past at this unique, circular, heritage museum.
- Scarborough Art Gallery: Visit this historic Italianate villa for family-friendly exhibitions and craft activities.
- Traditional Fish and Chips: Some of the top rated places include Catch 55 and The Lifeboat Fish & Chips.
- The Harbour Bar: Step back in time at this retro 1950s ice cream parlour on the seafront. They serve incredible sundaes.
- Fresh Seafood: Buy freshly caught crab and lobster straight from the boats on the bustling West Pier.
- Beachside Cafes: Grab a drink at The Watermark Cafe, The Teapot, or others while enjoying sweeping sea views.
- Boat Trips: You might be lucky and spot dolphins on a trip on Becca-Marie or Hispaniola.
- Scarborough Open Air Theatre: Book tickets to watch world-famous music acts perform at Europe’s largest open-air theatre.
- Stephen Joseph Theatre: Catch a family-friendly play or interactive workshop at this renowned local theatre.
- The Spa: Visit this Victorian entertainment complex to watch summer variety shows, family films, or outdoor festivals.
- Amusement Arcades: Spend your spare change on classic 2p pushers and claw machines on the bustling Foreshore Road.
- YMCA Theatre: See Frozen The Musical during the summer holidays from the YMCA Productions Team!
- Open Top Buses: Hop on an open top bus for a unique journey along Scarborough's seafront!
- Scarborough Footgolf: Scarborough Footgolf near Cayton is lots of fun with 2 different courses
- Crazy Golf: There are loads of courses to choose from, many in and around North Bay
- The Big Wheel: Back for summer 2026, the giant Ferris Wheel in South Bay
- Shopping: Scarborough has a large mixture of independent shops and big national chains in a busy town centre. Don't miss Scarborough Indoor Market Hall for amazing independent shops.
- Planet Circus OMG: Back for the summer holidays, Planet Circus OMG promises to deliver a truly jaw-dropping show at Lebberston on the A165 just outside Scarborough.
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Scarborough isn't just a seaside resort; it's a giant, open-air history book spanning nearly 200 million years. From its iconic castle headland to the "dinosaur footprints" hidden on its beaches, the town's landscape tells a story of ancient deep oceans, tropical swamps, and dramatic landslides. The Tale of Two Bays Scarborough is famous for its two distinct bays—North and South—separated by a massive rocky promontory. This headland, where Scarborough Castle now stands, exists because it is made of much tougher stuff than the surrounding coast. The Castle Headland: This is a "downfaulted outlier" of Middle and Late Jurassic rocks. The top layer is a hard, honey-coloured sandstone known as the Corallian Group, which sits on top of the much softer Oxford Clay. Because the sandstone is so resistant to erosion, it juts out into the North Sea, while the softer rocks on either side have been carved into the bays we see today. The Bays: The cliffs around the North and South bays are made of softer clays and sandstones that are roughly 170 million years old. These were formed during the Jurassic period, a time of river channels, swamps, and deep oceans. Walking with Dinosaurs: You don't need a time machine to find evidence of Jurassic life here. Scarborough is often called the "British capital of dinosaur trackways." Dinosaur Footprints: At low tide, you can find fossilised footprints of giant sauropods and theropods (meat-eaters) on the rocks of the South Cliff. More than 50 footprints have been recorded in this area. Rotunda Museum: To see these finds up close without getting your feet wet, visit the Rotunda Museum. Opened in 1829, it is one of the world's first purpose-built museums. It was designed based on suggestions from William Smith, the "Father of English Geology," who lived in Scarborough. Inside, you'll find the Gristhorpe Man (a Bronze Age tree burial) and the Speeton Plesiosaur. A Coast in Motion The geology of Scarborough is still active today, sometimes with dramatic results. Holbeck Hall Landslide: In 1993, the nation watched as the four-star Holbeck Hall Hotel slowly tumbled into the sea. This happened because heavy glacial deposits from the last Ice Age (about 11,000 years ago) sit on top of slippery Jurassic clay. When it rains heavily, the water gets trapped, causing the land to slide. Sea Defences: To combat this erosion, you’ll see modern sea defences like those along Marine Drive. These include huge blocks of Larvikite, a beautiful, dark-grey igneous rock imported all the way from Norway because of its extreme durability. Tips for Geological Explorers Check the Tides: Many of the best geological features, including the rock pools and dinosaur tracks, are only visible at low tide. Stay Safe: The cliffs to the south are active landslide zones. Always stay on the marked paths and keep a safe distance from the cliff edge and the base of the cliffs on the beach. Look for Pebbles: The beaches are full of "erratic" pebbles—stones carried here from hundreds of miles away by glaciers during the last Ice Age.
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
Scarborough Food and Drink Festival: Taking place at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre on 11–12 April 2026 (Sat: 10am–5pm, Sun: 10am–4pm). Highlights: Features over 60 international food stalls, including bao buns, wood-fired pizza, and artisan gins. Family Fun: Includes fairground rides from O'Briens Funfair and a dedicated craft room with local makers. Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair-friendly and dog-friendly (on leads). Spring Daze at Peasholm Park: A dedicated nature-themed family fun day on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 from 10am to 4pm. Activities: Hands-on bushcraft, fire-lighting, leaf rubbing, and sunflower potting. Entertainment: Live music from the bandstand, birds of prey displays, and performances by children's entertainer Kathy Seabrook in the tipi. Scarborough Record Fair: Located at the Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults on Sunday, 12 April 2026 from 10am to 4pm. What to Expect: Roughly 25 tables of vinyl and CD traders. Extras: Live local DJs spinning tracks from various decades and food available from Deli Delicious and the Market Tavern Bar. Giant Deckchair Trail: Part of the "Scarborough 400" anniversary celebrations. The Experience: Grab a map and hunt for oversized, artist-designed deckchairs hidden in scenic spots across town—ideal for family photos. Easter Clay Workshops at Scarborough Library: A creative session on 2 April 2026 at Scarborough Library. Activity: Children can design and make their own clay egg cups. The library also hosts an ongoing Easter Trail and Lego sessions during the holidays. The Easter "Wild Ones" Biodiversity Arts & Crafts Workshop: A free, hands-on event taking place on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, in Cayton. Organised by Cayton Parish Council, the workshop is designed to help children connect with nature through creativity. Beeforth’s Hive Activities: Located in the South Cliff Gardens, this community hub offers free drop-in nature and craft activities for families throughout the school holidays. Marine Drive Sea Watching Hub: A newly opened visitor attraction for 2026 in a repurposed Victorian-style shelter on Marine Drive. Equipment: Features free-to-use high-powered telescopes positioned specifically for spotting bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise, and minke whales. Art: Features a mosaic installation by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller to help identify local species. Peregrine Falcon Watching: The cliffs below Scarborough Castle are a prime nesting spot for these birds, the fastest in the world. Best Spot: Enthusiasts recommend sitting near lamp post 54 on Marine Drive and looking up at the high ledges, especially active during the April–July breeding season. Rockpooling at North Bay: A classic, cost-free activity. Details: At low tide, the rocky areas of North Bay reveal a miniature marine world of crabs, anemones, and small fish. Make sure you know the tide times to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide!
For visitors to the Yorkshire coast in 2026, arriving by vintage rail offers a majestic alternative to the modern commute. Whether you seek the rhythmic chuff of a steam engine or the sleek power of a heritage diesel, several high-profile excursions are scheduled to bring you directly to the heart of the "First Seaside Resort." Mainline Steam Excursions The Coast to Coast Express Date: Saturday, 6 June 2026 Operator: The Railway Touring Company Experience: This ambitious day trip links the Irish Sea to the North Sea, crossing the dramatic Pennines. It features a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool for the outward journey and is often diesel-hauled for portions of the return. Approximate Timetable: Liverpool Lime Street: Departs 06:20 | Returns 21:40 Manchester Victoria: Departs ~07:15 Sheffield: Departs 09:50 York: Arrives 11:50 | Departs 16:50 Scarborough: Arrives 13:10 | Departs 15:50 The Scarborough Spa Express Travel coast to coast across spectacular Lancashire and Yorkshire landscapes from Carnforth or Lancaster, to York or Scarborough - Steam Hauled all the way! North Route To York or Scarborough Via Skipton and Leeds: Running Wednesdays on 17th June, 29th July and 19th August 2026. Departing from Carnforth, Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Woodlesford (Leeds), Church Fenton and York. South Route To York or Scarborough Via Preston and Wakefield: Running Wednesday 15th July and 2nd September 2026. Departing from Lancaster, Preston, Blackburn, Brighouse, Wakefield (Kirkgate), Castleford and York. Luxury Diesel Charters Yorkshire Coast Pullman Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026 Operator: Midland Pullman Experience: Travel in a restored Class 43 HST luxury set. This tour includes fine dining options as you traverse the heart of England. Approximate Timetable: Paignton: Departs 06:20 | Returns 22:50 Bristol Temple Meads: Departs 08:20 | Returns 20:40 Scarborough: Arrives ~13:00 | Departs 16:00 Yorkshire Coast Pullman (East Anglia) Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026 Operator: Midland Pullman Boarding Locations: Manningtree (06:30), Ipswich (06:45), Stowmarket (07:00), and Bury St Edmunds (07:20). Multi-Day Rail Holidays York and Railways of Yorkshire Dates: Saturday, 18 July – Saturday, 25 July 2026 Operator: The Railway Touring Company Experience: An 8-day comprehensive tour of the county’s rail heritage, featuring a dedicated visit to Scarborough and the nearby North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
