Scarborough North Bay

With its two delightful, sandy beaches, spectacular scenery, and plenty of attractions, Scarborough is the quintessential British seaside resort.  It also has a good claim to be the country’s first commercial beach resort as tourists have been coming here enjoy the waters, fine views and the beneficial sea-air since a spa was opened here in the 17th century.  Despite its popularity, Scarborough retains much of its charm and has a character all of its own.

The long, sandy beach at North Bay is backed by sea defences, an esplanade, hills and cliffs.  It has a distinctly wilder feel than the more commercialised South Bay area. Rocky outcrops at the north end of the beach become cut off at high tide, so anyone planning a rockpooling trip, needs to check tide times before setting out.  The southern end of North Bay has a wide expanse of good quality sand and is popular with bathers, families, surfers and a variety of water sports enthusiasts.  

Brightly coloured beach huts are clustered together behind the esplanade and are available to hire for a single day or for longer periods. North Bay Beach has regularly been awarded Blue Flag status.

The beach is dominated by the picturesque ruins of 11th century Scarborough Castle, set on a rocky promontory which divides North Bay from the more commercialised South Bay area.  From North Bay it’s a 20-minute walk along Marine Parade, a Victorian promenade, to the South Bay area.  For those who don’t fancy the walk, open top busses link the two bays and run regularly during the summer season.

Immediately adjacent to the beach, a miniature railway, built in 1931 links Peasholm Park with Scalby Mills, where a Sea Life Centre can be found.  Peasholm Park is an oriental-themed parkland with a boating lake and a bandstand with resident organist.  Miniature sea battles are re-enacted on the lake.