Whitby or Scarborough with kids?

[googoodoll22]

Planning a few days away in half term with toddler dc and tween. Never been to either but wondering which would be the most suitable for dc? Whitby looks picturesque but hilly with the buggy. I like the idea of the castle ruins and nice walks but we might not get the weather.

We'd need some family friendly stuff to do - swimming etc if the weather is crap. Just wondering what people would advise.

Scarborough might be easier with a buggy. There's a water park near there too (bit pricey though)

More to do in and more near Scarborough

Scarborough is much more family friendly. Whitby is lovely but cobbled streets, millions of steps and very narrow lanes.

Scarborough is a bit flatter which might be easier with the buggy. North bay has the sea life center and lots of beaches. South Bay has lovely beaches, lots of museum shops and arcades if the weather is bad. Enjoy your holiday x

Whitby is impossible with a buggy

The waterpark at Scarborough has gone bust and is shut until the council reopens it.

The resorts are both close to each other so it doesn't really matter which one you base yourself in.

I'd be tempted to go for Scarborough as there is more there for your teen but visit Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. Filey is nice too, especially for your little one.

Scarborough is more family friendly than whitby and it's easy enough to get to whitby from Scarborough for a a day trip, either in the car or on the bus

Scarborough definitely, much flatter, more to do in and around, easy to get about. The open top buses are nice if it's not raining! Sea life centre and Peasholm Park are good and the little train that runs between them is great (check it's running, I've not been in Feb). There's some nice farm parks around if you've got a car- Play Dale I think, and I'm sure there's a soft play with the longest/tallest(?) slide in the UK.

We go to both once a month ( only just over an hour drive) Whitby is my favourite place in the UK.. Its cobbled streets and hilly ..It is more picturesque. .. there is the pirates ship and other boat excursions.. Lovely beaches and the pier.. a few amusements etc.
Scarborough has more amusements.. long beach.. small fairground.. donkeys etc..

Sea life centre and then there Peasholm park with its lake .. pedalos and model ship shows..
There is an open top bus that can take you from one end to the other.
You can get easily get a bus to Whitby if you want to go see what it's like.
The Water park is shut down.. not been open for a while.. pity because it was new and fabulous. There is
speed boat rides and boat rides.

@TheTheGoogleMum

Water park has shut down.
Pity because it was new and amazing.

Scarborough in Feb is cold, but usually dry.
As a previous poster said Alpamare has gone bust and is currently closed until the council get off their arses and reopens it.
However there is South side for the amusments (Olympia is the best of the lot, specially for tweens, but can get very crowded no matter the time of year) and North side for Peasholm and the little train from the open air theatre to sealife centre.
There is also Luna Park on South side which has rides for toddlers as well as older kids.

Tween would probably love Whitby but it would be an absolute sod with a buggy, and the best things for kids are the ghost walks, the museum and 99 steps up to the Abbey, all of which are far from toddler friendly.

Definitely Scarborough with children. I don't get the love for Whitby and you'd never get a buggy up to the castle. There's a castle at Scarborough as well.
Scarborough has more parks, sea life centre, mini train, arcades.

Thanks this is really helpful, also wondered about Bridlington if anyone has been there?

Been looking at air b&b's but a holiday park might be better if they have a pool and entertainment included.

Up until a couple of years ago we used to go to Scarborough for a week twice a year. Whitby is ok for half a day's outing but we don't get the love Whitby induces.Much more to do in Scarborough,the Italian gardens are lovely,Peasholm Park for a great walk and see the squirrels, north bay etc.

Did have a water park.

If you want a caravan site with everything on site for kids,try looking at Park Deans Cayton Bay just up the road Scarborough.

Brid is a bit grim, in my opinion ☹️

Bridlington is even more flatter than scarborough, has amusement arcades, rides on the seafront. A cinema, good leisure centre with a couple of slides. One of those jump places with those big foam blocks inside it (can't think what it's called) ten pin bowling. Sewerby park is lovely and has a little zoo inside. There's also a land train, and 2 beaches. One on the north side which has lots of big white pebbles and one on the south side which is much more Sandy. There's also a big soft play area called Kandy Kingdom, which although isn't in Brid is only a short ride in the car to carnaby industrial estate.

Thanks for this, OP, was thinking precisely of doing the same at half term!

Scarborough definitely. One of my favourite places ever!

Not been to Whitby for years but it’s supposed to be good for fossil hunting, something everyone can enjoy.
Shame about alpamare shutting down, not surprised though. We went for the first time last year and had some concerns about the health and safety of the place. Hope they can get some new buyers for it, be a shame for it to sit and rot.

I came here to say this. Literally hundreds of steps up to the Abbey. Much much more to do in Scarborough with dc.

We take our GC to Bridlington and Scarborough and there’s more, in my opinion, in Scarborough. Both have lovely beaches but not sure you’ll be using them in February. Peasholm park in Scarborough is lovely and Sewerby Hall in Brid is nice but I’m not sure you could spend a whole day there. Both have amusement arcades and other activities but probably best to check what’s open in February.
A holiday park is a good idea in case the weather is a bit rubbish.
Absolutely agree on Whitby, it’s a no no with a buggy but we love it there. There’s 199 steps up to the Abbey, great views when you get there but not a walk you want to do with a buggy!

Of the three, Scarborough. But it'll probably be freezing at Feb half term.

Whitby is lovely in the summer though.