Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Scarborough

"There’s something special about the ruins of Whitby Abbey brooding over the harbour from the East Cliff. These ruins were mentioned in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1890), and even at that time the monastery had been abandoned for 350 years. It was set up in the middle of the 7th century by Oswy, the King of Northumbria."

"This medieval abbey, which is a ruin now is said to have inspired Bram Stoker for his famous creation ‘Dracula’. The 199 steps that lead to the ruins can be a great trek and the view from the top is spectacular. The Abbey is a memorable sight, especially against the setting sun."

"There are ruined abbeys, and there are picturesque ruined abbeys. And then there's Whitby Abbey, dominating the skyline above the East Cliff like a great Gothic tombstone silhouetted against..."

"Occupying the 91-metre promontory between the north and south bays are the remnants of Scarborough’s Medieval castle. This indomitable roost over the North Sea was a hill fort in the Bronze Age, and in the fourth century was used as a signal station by the Romans. You can now locate the ruins of an Anglo-Saxon chapel, built around 1000 on the site of the signal station."

"Next we made our way up the hill to Scarborough Castle. This medieval keep is in a commanding location, it would have been a spectacle to behold and easy to defend. The castle is mostly ruined now, but it is great to walk around and learn about the 3000 year history of the site."

"The high sloping park around the Whitby Museum will keep you in this picturesque part of town a while longer. Pannett Park was voted “Best Public Park in Yorkshire” in 2014, and has a superb prospect east to Whitby Abbey. There are wooded areas, a lily pond, all manner of formal flowerbeds, a floral clock, rose gardens, pergolas and a playground for children."

"Just a stone's throw from the centre of Whitby, Pannett Park offers a haven of peace and quiet with an exciting new play park for children and beautifully kept gardens, lawns and wooded areas for the whole family to enjoy. Click here to view the Friends of Pannett Park website."

"Peasholm Park located just inland from North Bay is the resort’s beautifully restored historic park which first opened as a pleasure fun park in June 1912. The perfect blend of heritage gardens and fun family attractions, the park has a central island with gardens and surrounding boating lake at its heart. On-site attractions include a Tree Trail, Lily Pond and Oriental style gardens."

"Just behind the North Bay is the fanciful Peasholm Park, designed in an Oriental style in 1912. At that time the park was Scarborough’s venue of choice for extravagant galas and exhibitions, but its glory faded as the century wore on. The park closed in 1999 after its pagoda was damaged by arson, but reopened in the 2000s and is now a treasured part of the resort."

"Stately homes may be two a penny in England, but you'll have to try pretty damn hard to find one as breathtakingly stately as Castle Howard, a work of theatrical grandeur and audacity set in the rolling Howardian Hills. This is one of the world's most beautiful buildings, instantly recognisable from its starring role in the 1980s TV series Brideshead Revisited and in the 2008 film of the same name (both based on Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel of nostalgia for the English aristocracy)."

"Standing in the Howardian Hills to the west of Malton, Castle Howard is an outstanding example of English baroque, with a distinctive…"

"One of those things you simply have to do in Whitby is to climb the 199 steps that wind up from Church Lane to St Mary’s Church on the East Cliff. You’ll be treading the same path as the creature “resembling a large dog” that climbed up to the abbey in Dracula. The stairway is vertiginous, but the higher you go, the better the views back over the roofs of the old town and the harbour."

"Climb the 199 steps to the top of East Cliff for views over the town and harbour. At the top you will find the medieval church of St Mary."

"The town’s parish church was established as an Augustinian priory in 1113, which grew in importance over the next 400 years and owned land across Yorkshire at its peak. The priory was also fortified with walls following the conflict between King Stephen and Empress Matilda later in the 12th century. The priory was closed down in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the nave, the last remaining structure, became the parish church."

"Bridlington Priory was founded as a Benedictine nunnery by William de Percy in the late 12th century and was dedicated to St Mary. The priory was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 and granted to Sir John Constable. Bridlington Priory Church is a Grade II* listed building situated on the north side of the town of Bridlington."

"This picture perfect early-Georgian house dates mostly from 1714 and is in 50 acres of manicured gardens. The interior has been restored to itsEdwardian appearance at the start of the 20th century and has a room dedicated to Amy Johnson, the pioneer aviator who officially opened the house to the public in 1936. Tours are given on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:30 all through the summer."

"One of our favourite attractions can be found right at the north end of the town. Take the dotto train to its north terminus or walk the scenic north cliffs to find a gorgeous stately home and gardens. Sewerby Hall has been restored back to its Edwardian glory."

"At the top of those 199 Steps, and before you get to Whitby Abbey, you’ll be confronted by the compact Church of St Mary. The building goes back to a Norman church, consecrated at the start of the 12th century. The tower, choir and parts of the nave all date to that earliest period, and at the transept you can look for the three Gothic lancet windows."

"The 199 steps of Church Stairs lead steeply up from the end of Church St, passing the spooky graveyard of St Mary's Church, a favourite haunt of Goth courting couples. The atmospheric interior of the church is..."

"Toby Carvery do a quick and easy all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. “Whether you fancy tea and toast or want to go all out with our unlimited breakfast buffet including eggs, bacon and our famous breakfast Yorkies — here at Toby Carvery, we’ve got everything you need to give you the perfect start to your day.”  We have eaten breakfast in our local Toby Carvery lots of times. It’s a help yourself buffet with all the usual full English goodies."

"This large fish and chip restaurant is opposite the station and harbour, and sometimes you have to queue to get a table in this Italian-style venue complete with booths and colourful Tiffany lamps. This is to be expected, as Trenchers netted the prestigious title of UK’s Best Fish and Chip Restaurant in 2019. Blackboards on the walls tell you which boat landed the freshly-caught cod, and also that your chips are prepared on the premises using potatoes from Ripon."

"Famed for its fish and chips, Trenchers is traditional seafood restaurant situated near the water’s edge in Whitby. Since opening in 1980, the restaur ..."

"This eatery landed a place in the UK’s top 10 fish and chip restaurants by the 2017 National Fish and Chip Awards."

"A warm & friendly welcome at this authentic Thai restaurant with amazing cocktails & superb curries. 29 Yorkersgate, Malton YO17 7AA01653 692865tuisofmalton.com"