Free things to do in Scarborough

Debbie Rookes • July 1, 2020

Free things to do in Scarborough

# 1. Scarborough Beach - Scarborough is one of the UK’s top seaside resorts and it’s easy to see why. Whatever your age, whatever your idea of what makes a good day out at the seaside, you’re going to find what you’re looking for in this vibrant Yorkshire town.

Scarborough offers visitors two large, sandy bays, divided by a rocky promontory on which tower the majestic ruins of 11th century Scarborough Castle. Children will love what’s on offer here, whether it’s building sandcastles, playing in the amusement arcades or splashing about in the waves.

South Bay is the livelier of the two beaches, being backed by cafes, ice-cream parlours, shops, theatres and all the entertainments and delights that you’d expect from a traditional seaside resort. Donkey rides are available on the beach. A fine Victorian promenade runs along South Bay, and links this side of the town to North Bay, on the other side of the promontory. The beach is popular with families and sometimes has good surfing conditions.

At one end of the South bay, the harbour provides mooring for fishing vessels as well as the usual yachts and pleasure boats. Boat trips run from here around the bay or further down the coast.

Walk between the bays on the Marine Drive and go and have your picture taken with Freddie Gilroy on the North Bay.

# 2. Peasholme Park - Peasholm Park has a tranquil lake and in the summer months people can hire boats of all sorts to enjoy the water at close quarters. There is a bandstand in the middle of the lake and music concerts which are free of charge can often be heard during the summer season.There is an island in the centre of the lake and a bridge leading across to it allows the visitor to explore the island with a path leading round it or by climbing up to the top with its impressive pagoda. The park has been designed with an oriental theme and there is much evidence of this as you wander through its pathways.

#3. Scarborough to Whitby cinder track - The Cinder Track follows the route of the old railway from Scarborough to Whitby. The railway was in use from 1885 to 1965, and after it closed, Scarborough Borough Council bought the line. The track ballast was made from cinders rather than crushed stone, hence the name the Cinder Track. The line now forms 21 miles of Route 1 of the National Cycle Network and is very popular with cyclists and walkers from across the UK.

The route begins in the fantastic seaside town of Scarborough. The starting point is the children's play area behind Sainsbury's supermarket on Falsgrave Road. From here you go under the road bridge and join the traffic free path which is signed all the way to Whitby. At Hayburn Wyke, a short walk across a field (where an old train station used to be) leads to a secluded bay. Continuing on you pass through Ravenscar, the Town that never was and the beautiful Robin Hood's Bay, a small fishing village with stunning scenery and just before Whitby you travel over the Larpool Viaduct, high above the River Esk, before heading down into the town centre.

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