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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Talk to me about Scarborough

32 replies

aloneinthenight · 14/08/2019 11:12

We need a last minute getaway to the seaside this week and, for reasons I won't go into, Scarborough has come up as an option.

I haven't been since 1981.

Is it nice? What can we do there? Is there somewhere nearby that's nicer?

OP posts:
ethelredonagoodday · 14/08/2019 11:15

I'm from there, but haven't lived there for years. What are you hoping to do there? Do you have kids, if so, what age?
With a bit more info can probably advise.

Greenglassteacup · 14/08/2019 11:21

It’s grim, go up the coast to Sandsend

Greenglassteacup · 14/08/2019 11:21

Or Northumberland

Original poster
aloneinthenight · 14/08/2019 11:25

Our children are 13 and 10.

At the risk of drip feeding, our son is having chemotherapy and has a few days off treatment. Scarborough has been suggested as it has a large hospital, should we need it. We are not allowed to be more than 30 minutes away.

so Northumberland was our first plan but where we were looking at is too remote.

OP posts:
Original poster
aloneinthenight · 14/08/2019 11:26

Will note Sandsend though. We probably wouldn't be able to stay there but could certainly go there for the day if we stayed in Scarborough.

OP posts:
MaidofKent78 · 14/08/2019 11:28

Oh I like Scarborough! We live in York and often go there for day out.

Pretty beaches and countryside. Sealife centre if I remember rightly. Whitby is 30 mins away and good to explore.

I hope your son's treatment goes as well as can be expected.

timeforawine · 14/08/2019 11:30

North bay is nicer, quieter, you can then get the bus to South Bay as you want for the fun fair/arcades.
All the best for your son

grafittiartist · 14/08/2019 11:30

There's a big newish water park. Quite expensive, but it's supposed be great.
Lovely walks along the prom. Fish and chips.
A drive to Filey or Whitby.
John Bull Rick factory near Bridlington.
Hope you have fun!

Skinandbones · 14/08/2019 11:32

There's some nice places around Scarborough but not sure how far you can go. Bridlington have the John bull rock factory that does tours. A bit further down is Mr moo it's an ice cream farm, had lots of unusual flavours when we went last and friars thorpe beach, it's a really long flat beach, would be great to take a picnic. Hope that helps. Whatever you do have a brilliant time.

MrsGrindah · 14/08/2019 11:35

If you were staying for a fortnight I’d say no, but for the break you need it will be absolutely fine. If the weather is decent it’s a great sea front to walk along and lots of areas have been smartened up. However, the arcades etc are still grim so be prepared if you need to huddle inside them from the weather! Also on a weekend it can attract a certain crowd ( pretty much like any town centre I suppose) so the bars and pubs can get a bit dodgy . If you can get to Clayton which is v nearby there’s a great pub there called The Farrier ( maybe the Farriers arms ?) . Newly renovated and excellent. They love kids and dogs and if your boy is up for ice cream they have their own parlour. Failing that, Pacitos or the Harbour Bar on the sea front for a “lemon top!”

Greenglassteacup · 14/08/2019 11:41

Sorry to hear that OP, in that case staying in Scarborough seems like a good idea. Whitby is just up the coast as well as Sandsend and they’re lovely. Also, there is a huge deal colony at Ravenscar, also nearby

Greenglassteacup · 14/08/2019 11:41

Deal = seal

Littlebelina · 14/08/2019 11:43

I like Scarborough. There is the sealife centre at North bay and the park near there is nice (small train as well but might be a bit young for your kids). Whitby is nice (lots of steps up to the abbey which might a bit much depending on how your son is feeling), there is the Whitby to Pickering steam train. If you have English heritage membership it'll cover Whitby abbey and Scarborough castle. Not sure if Robin hoods bay is outside a 30minute window but that is nice

MrsGrindah · 14/08/2019 12:27

Cayton not Clayton

Original poster
aloneinthenight · 14/08/2019 13:50

These are great suggestions, thank you.

OP posts:
diet4eva · 14/08/2019 14:05

Premier inn is a good place to stay in Scarborough as lots of parking nearby, shops next door and beach 5 minute stroll. I love Scarborough and have been practically every year of my life!! Totally recommend Florios for a family friendly Italian meal and a trip to Boyes is a must for everything you can ever think of in one shop. My kids are 11 and 13 and love Scarborough.

Crankybitch · 14/08/2019 14:07

I took my teens last year for a weekend

We got kites and flew them (there was a kite festival on)

They loved having a cup of coins to play in the arcades

It’s good for a weekend but I love seaside holidays so am biased

Pootles34 · 14/08/2019 14:17

Scarborough is great, as others have said the water park is great there if thats an option.

My boys love the sealife centre and Peasholme park - they do a battle thing on the lake there, your boys may be a bit old for that perhaps though?

Original poster
aloneinthenight · 14/08/2019 14:30

DH is desperate to the see the battle on the lake Pootles so it doesn't really matter if the boys are too old!

OP posts:
Nat6999 · 14/08/2019 15:02

Look at Filey, only 20 minutes from Scarborough, not as commercial, beautiful beach, lovely places to eat.

granadagirl · 14/08/2019 15:12

We stayed at the Sands at north bay
Bit pricey but lovely. We had sea view 2 bed apartment, they right facing the beach/sea. Have a google
You can get bus outside that’s takes you round the bay to the South Bay

I’d defo go back

Not keen on South Bay but to noisy for me, but great for kids

WicketWoo · 14/08/2019 15:22

Does it have to be Scarborough Hospital or just a large hospital? .i believe you could go to Center Parcs at sherwood and be within 30mins of Nottingham hospital.

lorettalemon · 14/08/2019 15:26

I've been to Scarborough a few times in recent years and I wouldn't recommend it, I'm worried you'd find it a bit grim and depressing. Unless it's sunny it does look especially miserable. Countryside with more trees seems better in bad weather. It gets bitterly cold when the rain is lashing down across the sea front in Scarborough

NotWavingButMNing · 14/08/2019 15:27

My parents were from Scarborough and all my childhood holidays were spent there. We took our children there every year for at least a few days.
Yes it's a little run down in parts but children don't notice that. If you enter into the spirit of traditional British seaside holidays they will love it. The fact that it's commercialised means that you can find things to do if the weather is bad.

Ice creams, fish and chips, a bag of 2pcoins in the arcade.
Open top bus around the marine drive.
Mini golf.
Funicular rides.
A small fairground.
Harbour with boat trips.
The North bay railway (where Kylie did the locomotion).
Rock pooling in the North bay.
No one is too old for the Naval Battle in Peasholme park. I have fond memories (and photos) of us all sitting watching in the pouring rain huddled in cagoules. The DC are in their 20s now and still remember.

Sandsend has a nice stretch of beach but not much else, Whitby is a good day out but may be too far from the hospital. Also Robin Hood's Bay and Runswick Bay.

Littlebelina · 14/08/2019 20:56

We stayed at the sands as well. Our apartment had a games console of some type and you could borrow games from reception.

Forgot to mention you can get English heritage membership with club card points I think. Hope you have a fab break, sounds like you deserve it

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