Scarborough can be explored through its two bays and the different themes of its outings. Scarborough Castle crowns the headland between them; North Bay is one of the town’s two bays. The coast offers a clear starting point for planning, while museums, gardens and theatres appeal to other interests.
Two Bays and Coastal Paths
Water sports, particularly surfing, are available at North Bay. Conditions and offerings from individual operators may vary. At low tide, rocky areas with tidal pools emerge on the beach. If you would like to explore them, plan with the tide and conditions in mind. This means the same bay offers both water sports and a nature experience on the tidal shore.
A level, consistently surfaced walking path follows Royal Albert Drive around the castle headland, connecting North Bay and South Bay in about 30 minutes. For a longer route, the Cinder Track runs 21 miles from Scarborough to Whitby. It follows a disused railway line that has been converted into a route for horse riders and carriages and is also used by walkers and cyclists. The two paths offer different time scales: a link between the bays and a longer route towards Whitby.
Gardens, Park and Local History
In South Cliff Gardens, the Italian Gardens combine formal planting with seating and a fishpond watched over by the winged Roman god Mercury. Also in South Cliff Gardens, the Love Stories Audio Trail tells true love stories accompanied by orchestral music and a community choir. The gardens and audio trail appeal to different interests: the design of the place and the stories told there.
Another way to explore Scarborough’s history can be found along Marine Drive. The Sea Wall Heritage Trail runs along the one-mile Marine Drive and features 31 engraved granite interpretation panels. Each panel in the “Porthole in Time” series conveys part of the town’s rich and varied history. The stops also make the walk an opportunity to explore individual chapters of that history.
Peasholm Park is an oriental-style town park in North Bay, with a boating lake and a Japanese-style pagoda. Its longstanding traditions include miniature naval battles; individual dates may vary. The park therefore offers not only distinctive design but also a recurring maritime theme, and you should check the specific dates when planning.
Museums, Theatres and Cultural Events
The Rotunda Museum opened in 1829 and is one of the world’s first purpose-built museums. It displays artefacts from the Star Carr Collection, which are 11,000 years old. Individual displays may change. A visit thus brings together early museum history and a collection of objects that reach far back into the past.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an independent theatre and cinema in Scarborough, directly opposite the railway station. Its offerings also include youth theatre groups and a choir. The Scarborough Open Air Theatre opened in 1932 in Northstead Manor Gardens. Since its official reopening, it has hosted some of the biggest stars in the music industry. If you are planning to attend a concert, it is best to check the specific event dates.
Planning Your Journey and Choosing Accommodation
Open-top bus services mainly connect the seafront promenades of South Bay and North Bay. Timetables and operating hours may change; check the service for your planned visit. The Cliff Lift originally opened in 1875 and is the oldest cliff funicular railway in the UK. In August 2026, North Yorkshire Council decided to close it immediately after an independent technical inspection identified several issues with the ageing infrastructure. Check the current status of paths and connections before your visit.
The approximately 30-minute route along Royal Albert Drive is a short link between the bays, while the 21-mile Cinder Track is a longer route from Scarborough to Whitby. When looking for a hotel in Scarborough, this distinction is a useful starting point: decide whether your stay will focus mainly on the bays and experiences in town or on a longer excursion.
Discover more destinations: Stockton On The Forest, Filey, Penistone
Return to the main travel overview: Yorkshire And The Humber.
