Scarborough is a wonderful coastal town situated on the North Yorkshire coast; it is a perfect destination for a day trip with the kids, or even a family holiday. If your budget is small, there are many ways to enjoy Scarborough without spending a fortune, the most obvious one being…
There are 2 bay areas to explore in Scarborough: North Bay and South Bay.
South Bay is the more commercialised type area with a sandy beach, and (if you have cash to spend) there is easy access to all the traditional seaside treats such as fish and chips (there are lots to choose), seafood, ice-cream (perhaps a visit to Flamingo Bay) and that all important stick of rock. You will also find plenty of amusements on this side, as well as Luna Park which is a small funfair located just near the harbour, which opens seasonally. There are some great donuts and waffles available near there too! If a boat trip is something you would like to do, Yorkshire Coast Boat Trips and others leave from here.
For a quieter beach experience, head to North Bay, you can take a walk from South Bay (approx. 30 minutes) or take the car and head north on Marine Drive, there you will be greeted with a vast expanse of sea and sand. This area is perfect for families who like to build sandcastles, have a paddle, and experience the full traditional beach day. As you move further north you will find rocky areas which are a haven for tiny sea creatures when the tide goes out, perfect if you like rock pooling, but remember to keep your eye on the tide times. If you fancy a coffee, there is The Watermark Cafe, Peaches ‘n’ Cream for an ice cream or Oasis Cafe for Fish and Chips. This is also the home to Dexter’s Surf Shop if you are looking for lessons or hire.
There are lots of lovely parks in Scarborough, and if you are in the North Bay area, a trip to Peasholm Park is a must, it can be enjoyed for free, or at a low cost. The park is set within a natural glen with a small stream running through it, which leads to the lake at the bottom. Families can come here and spend a few hours exploring, there are plenty of spaces to sit down with a picnic, toilets, a café and opportunities to buy ice-cream. There are also boats to hire on the lake for a small charge.
If you don’t want to spend any money, there is a nice walk all around the lake, with a bridge to access the island in the middle where you can have a wander around the oriental gardens.
If you have some little explorers on your hands, there are lots of trails and pathways that lead away from the lake up through the glen, there you’ll find a wooded area with loads of wildlife and wooden carvings to spot. If you make it to the top, through an old cemetery, you may find yourself at Woodlands Ravine Park, which is a nice reward for little legs, and a great picnic stop. Alternatively, this park is a good starting point for the walk down into Peasholm Park, instead of the other way around.
Another free place to visit is Shuttleworth and Southcliff Gardens, which is collection of beautiful gardens to explore, and they are located near the Esplanade on the cliffs (post code YO11 2UE). Highlights include a miniature fairy garden (with a fairy post box!), a pond, and a recent addition in 2022 is a new wooden adventure play area for children. You can walk through these gardens following the paths and eventually work your way down to the seafront, and if you’re lucky you might see some big waves splashing over the sea wall. It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon without having to spend any money.
Oliver’s Mount and Mere Country Park can be accessed for free where you can discover England’s only road motorbike racing circuit, you can even drive around the twisting roads. The Mere is a natural lake located in the Weaponess Valley, alongside Oliver’s Mount, here you can park for free and purchase duck food in the café. There are pathways all around the lake, so it is great for kids wanting to spot the wildlife.
For more parks in the area, see our list on Mumbler here
We have already mentioned a few places for a good walk in Scarborough, but there are also lots of ideas on Scarborough Trails, or you could head to Raincliffe Woods which is located on the Low Road just on outside the town. Scarborough is also the starting point for the Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track which is a lovely and easy walk, and good for bikes and buggies. The Cleveland Way also passes through Scarborough, and you can join this at any point, but there is a free carpark on Sea Cliff Road (YO11 2XP) where you can access the trail, and also walk down to the seafront where there is a tiny beach, and then you can head into Scarborough towards the Spa. Alternatively, download the free Love Exploring App. The Love Exploring App is a free fun way to encourage families to be active together and inspire people of all ages to explore their local parks and discover some of the area’s cultural treasures.
Take a ride on the North Bay Railway, tickets are under £5 per person, and the ride will take you all the way to Scalby Mills where you can choose to get off and head down to the beach, or you can take the return journey back to the station. Please note the railway usually closes over Winter for maintenance.
There are some interesting museums and galleries to visit in Scarborough, such as the Rotunda museum which is located near the sea front on the South Side, and Scarborough Art Gallery which is set a bit further back in the Crescent. Both are FREE to Under 18s and registered carers or £3 Annual Pass admission for adults to both Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum. They often have children’s activities running throughout the school holidays.
If money is no object, then take a trip to the Sea Life Centre located at Scalby Mills (you can visit here after you’ve ridden on the North Bay Railway) it’s a great day out for young families. Scarborough Castle is also worth a visit, and they also run regular children’s activities during the school holidays. Side note – If you don’t want to pay to go in the Castle, you can spend time exploring the pathways on the cliffs that surround the castle, and be rewarded with some great views of the Bay.
If you have any other fun things to add to our list of things to do in Scarborough, please get in touch!
