Things to do in Scarborough

Activities, attractions and tours

Scarborough
South Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a beach
Scarborough
North Bay Beach which includes general coastal views, a coastal town and landscape views
Scarborough Castle featuring general coastal views, building ruins and a sunset

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Top places to visit

1. Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Scarborough Open Air Theatre is a mixed entertainment venue set on a lake in Scarborough’s Northstead Manor Gardens. Its stage is on an island in the middle of the water while the audience has seating on the eastern bank. Throughout the summer months Scarborough Open Air Theatre has a busy schedule of music, theater and sporting events.
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Watch productions and performances by world-famous music acts at one of the largest outdoor theaters in Europe, a venue with a stage in an unusual setting.

2. North Bay Beach

North Bay Beach is a tranquil stretch of golden sand with restaurants, beach cabins and family activities. It is the quieter and wilder of Scarborough’s two main beaches, a little farther out from the town center. Trek with your family past the picturesque outcrops and rock pools to the main sandy area and headland.
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North Bay Beach featuring a sandy beach and a coastal town as well as a large group of people

3. Scarborough Spa

Scarborough Spa is a vast complex offering many events and activities in an impressive heritage-listed cliffside building. As its name suggests, the site was built around the region’s spa waters, although it is now known for its Jazz Festival, Spa Orchestra, dances and concerts. Move around the complex to appreciate its excellent views of the sea.
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Scarborough Spa featuring performance art, general coastal views and theatre scenes

4. South Bay Beach

South Bay Beach is the livelier of Scarborough’s main sandy stretches. The Castle Headland provides shelter from the northern winds, enabling excellent sunbathing conditions. Scarborough Castle stands at the northern part of the beach, while Scarborough Spa borders the south edge. Traverse the sandy bay in style with a traditional donkey ride.
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South Bay Beach featuring a bay or harbour and a coastal town

5. Peasholm Park

With its scenic lake, pretty gardens and fun activities, Peasholm Park is one of the most impressive of Scarborough’s central parks. It covers an area of 40 acres (16 hectares) with views of the North Sea. Stroll around the circumference of the lake, which runs around a picturesque island.
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Peasholm Park showing a garden and a river or creek

6. alpamare

With activities that will get your heart pumping and areas to enjoy the picturesque coastline of Scarborough, Alpamare has attractions to suit all ages. Alpamare is a fun-filled waterpark that recreates typical alpine relaxation and recreation. Ride slides inspired by ski resorts, soothe the body in an iodine pool and look out over stunning views from a sun-soaked terrace.
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Ride thrilling waterslides, swim in rolling waves, relax in an infinity pool and stroll around a scenic garden at this alpine-themed amusement park.

7. Scarborough Castle

Scarborough Castle is a set of fascinating ruins that remain from a 12th-century royal fortress. Built atop a cliff, the medieval castle commands panoramic views of the North Sea and the coastal town of Scarborough. Learn about the rich history of this spot, where evidence of Iron Age, Roman and Scandinavian settlements lies beside the main castle.
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Scarborough Castle which includes heritage elements, a beach and a sunset

8. Scarborough Cricket Club

Whether as an introduction to cricket or the culmination of a lifelong interest, Scarborough Cricket Club is a great place to watch a test match. Nestled in the midst of row houses, with a traditional pavilion built in 1895, the ground exudes the passion of its fans, who have played and celebrated the game of cricket here since its beginning. Take a break from the beach to participate in one of Britain’s most distinctive spectacles, the multi-day cricket test. Munch homemade pies and enjoy the atmosphere of the assembled crowd.
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This charming ground hosts matches throughout the summer but is best known for its annual cricket festival, which has taken place almost every summer since 1876.

9. North Bay Railway

North Bay Railway is a complex with thrilling and innovative attractions alongside a historic miniature train network that chugs along Scarborough’s rugged coastline. Built over 80 years ago as a simple train line, the park now incorporates many other family activities.
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North Bay Railway which includes railway items

What to do in Scarborough

Popular places to visit

Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Scarborough Open Air Theatre

4.5/5(73 reviews)

Watch productions and performances by world-famous music acts at one of the largest outdoor theaters in Europe, a venue with a stage in an unusual setting.

Scarborough Open Air Theatre
North Bay Beach featuring a sandy beach and a coastal town as well as a large group of people

North Bay Beach

4.5/5(211 reviews)

Enjoy the tranquil setting of this spacious sandy haven flanked by a miniature railway and an aquarium with Humboldt penguins.

North Bay Beach
Scarborough Spa featuring performance art, general coastal views and theatre scenes

Scarborough Spa

4/5(119 reviews)

Stroll through the majestic rooms of this Victorian venue for dances and orchestras and learn about its origins as a spa in the 1600s.

Scarborough Spa
South Bay Beach featuring a bay or harbour and a coastal town

South Bay Beach

4/5(199 reviews)

Marvel at the dynamic setting of this traditional British coastal resort, where you will find arcade games, a harbor and boutiques.

South Bay Beach
Peasholm Park showing a garden and a river or creek

Peasholm Park

4.5/5(238 reviews)

Ascend to the top of the island pagoda for excellent views of a park full of attractions and nature paths.

Peasholm Park
alpamare

alpamare

Ride thrilling waterslides, swim in rolling waves, relax in an infinity pool and stroll around a scenic garden at this alpine-themed amusement park.

alpamare
Scarborough Castle which includes heritage elements, a beach and a sunset

Scarborough Castle

4/5(67 reviews)

Delve through 3,000 years of history at the ruins of this headland castle with panoramic views of the North Sea.

Scarborough Castle
Scarborough Cricket Club

Scarborough Cricket Club

4.5/5(15 reviews)

This charming ground hosts matches throughout the summer but is best known for its annual cricket festival, which has taken place almost every summer since 1876.

Scarborough Cricket Club
North Bay Railway which includes railway items

North Bay Railway

Walk on air, run on water and rush down a water chute at this quaint amusement park centered on a miniature railway.

North Bay Railway

Areas of Scarborough

Scarborough which includes a coastal town and a luxury hotel or resort

Scarborough City Centre

4/5(184 area reviews)

Scarborough City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, lively bars and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like South Bay Beach or Mecca Bingo while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Scarborough City Centre
Pickering

Pickering

Photo by Adam Doody

Goathland

Whitby

Whitby

Photo by Michael Maddison-Evans

Malton

South Cliff

South Cliff

Photo by Les Bruce

Staintondale

Photo by Ron Jnr

Cayton

Frequently asked questions

Is Scarborough worth visiting?
Offering a blend of walking trails and fishing, there are plenty of things to do in Scarborough. When you're here, check out alpamare, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Scarborough?
After you've visited leading attractions like alpamare and Scarborough Castle, spend some time experiencing the food and retail options in Scarborough.
What is the top tourist attraction in Scarborough?
Alpamare is one of the top tourist attractions in Scarborough and deserves a spot on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Scarborough?
Three days in Scarborough is plenty of time to enjoy the city's major attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. Alpamare, Scarborough Castle and SEA LIFE Scarborough are among the top-rated sights. Want to experience more? Hang around a little longer to visit nearby hotspots like Whitby.
Is Scarborough a walkable city?
Some leading sights in Scarborough, including alpamare and Scarborough Castle, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from central Scarborough is South Cliff and Scarborough City Centre is 0.16 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Scarborough with kids?
Planning what to do in Scarborough with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there are many family-friendly tours and attractions to keep them busy here.

What to do in Scarborough for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Scarborough for adults including Dean Road & Manor Road Cemetery and Roman Signal Station.
Are there free things to do in Scarborough?
In Scarborough, Cayton Sands is a popular spot for anyone wanting to enjoy the city without taking their wallet out. Also, check out the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a great way to learn about the best free things to do in Scarborough.