Gateway to SCARBOROUGH and the YORKSHIRE COAST
Scarborough is a popular seaside town on the Yorkshire Coastline of England. Much of the architecture is of the Victorian era and includes parks and gardens that reflect this period. Although much of the Victorian design has been restored, Scarborough has recently undergone a large restoration period that has included major sea defenses and more pedestrian friendly promenades.
The North Bay is linked to the South Bay by the Marine Drive, an extensive Victorian promenade, built around the base of the headland. Overlooking both bays is Scarborough Castle, which was bombarded by the German warships SMS Derfflinger and SMS Von der Tann in the First World War. Both bays have popular sandy beaches and numerous rock-pools at low tide.
South Cliff Gardens, command excellent views of the South Bay and old town, from which many iconic postcard views are taken. Its splendid Regency and Victorian terraces are still intact and the mix of quality hotels and desirable apartments form a backdrop to the South Bay.
To the south-west of the town, beside the York to Scarborough railway line, is an ornamental lake known as Scarborough Mere. During the 20th century, the Mere was a popular park, with rowing boats, canoes and a miniature pirate ship called the Hispaniola. The Hispaniola took passengers to "Treasure Island" to dig for doubloons. Since the late 1990's the emphasis has been on nature, with "Treasure Island" being paved over to form a new pier area. The lake is now part of the Oliver's Mount Country Park and the Hispaniola now sails out of the South Bay. Oliver's Mount is famous for its association with motorcycle racing, it is also a high point overlooking Scarborough and the North Sea.
Scarborough is a major tourist attraction with a vast list of things to see and do, plus it is ideally located for exploring the Yorkshire Coast and the North York Moors. Fast rail links with Leeds and York bring in many day visitors, but also many people take long holidays in Scarborough too.
There is a wide range of holiday accommodation from very cheap guest houses, right through to 5 star hotels. Museums, theaters, galleries, museums, cafes, restaurants, bars and nigh clubs are all around, visitors are never bored in Scarborough - there is so much to do, you might need more than one lifetime to fit it all in.