Scarborough with kids

[InTheCludgie]

We're heading down Yorkshire way in a couple of weeks and planning to do an afternoon to Scarborough with our 11 and 15 year olds. I've noticed it has two separate beach areas, is there one particular part of the town which is good in terms of beach walks, ice creams etc? Any tips on parking? Thanks

The South Bay has all the seaside trappings - loads of fish and chip shops, shops, arcades, ice cream vans etc. The North Bay is just a beach with a couple of restaurants. There are rock pools on both sides (i think?!) North Bay is much more natural. I prefer the North Bay, but you need to take everything with you. We pack a picnic so we dont worry about the lack of amenities. South Bay is better if you want to pack light and have places to hand to buy things whilst you are there.

There is a park and ride, or if you are at the North Bay, there is a car park near the seafront. We are usually driven by DGPs so I cant quite remember the parking details. I think the car parks are all listed on Scarborough Town Council website. You'll have better parking luck if you go early in the day.

South bay has loads of cafes, chip shops, arcades etc. Plus the harbour, funfair and donkey rides. Just off the main promenade there is a street with the famous joke shop and lots of other cool little vintage and nick nack shops.

North Bay is much quieter and probably my favourite of the two. It’s lovely for dog walking (not at this time of year, no dogs allowed on the beach) and gorgeous views. A shop and a few bars but not a lot else on the actual beach.

You can walk between the two - takes about half an hour or so. Peaseholme park is also right near North beach and is worth a visit.

North bay has the peasholm park end with a nice cafe bar, couple of shops and a crazy golf and I think you can paddle board up there with a hire shop.

The other end, the south bay side has all the amusements, fairground and typical seaside bits as well as an Ask restaurant on the front.

There is an open top bus that goes between the two or it’s fine distance to walk between them. It’s also nice to walk up to Scarborough castle.

Thanks everyone, sounds like South beach area is our best bet although the open top bus sounds like it might be a winner with the kids too

Agree with others, south bay has all the ‘stuff’
north bay is quieter and a 5 min walk gets you to the best chippy (imo) in Scarborough, north bay fisheries, although the lifeboat in south bay is good.

if you’ve only got an afternoon id do south tbh. We used to park in the shopping centre but that’s closed. I’d look for some of the smaller ones like the one near the council building which is often quiet.

I like North bay and visits to Peaseholme Park. My DC used to love feeding the squirrels there, and also ( surprisingly) the re-enactments of the sea battles