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Scarborough

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About Scarborough

Scarborough is Yorkshire’s seaside charmer, complete with beautiful beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, a pretty harbour, natural spring waters, and a castle! It’s the largest centre on the Yorkshire coast, and has been an understandably popular seaside resort since the mid-17th century. It used to be that all the best places to stay in Scarborough were waterfront properties — guesthouses, B&Bs, and large historic hotels — but these days visitors will find far more variety.

Scarborough Castle sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, with Scarborough Beach on one side and the North Bay on the other. Between them is Marine Drive, a Victorian promenade, and where you’ll find the pedestrianised precinct and the covered market. The town also has many landmarks dating from the town’s heyday as a seaside resort in the late Georgian and Victorian era including the Scarborough Pier Lighthouse, an Anglican church — decorated with paintings by Santa Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones and Ford Madox Brown — the Town Hall, the Rotunda Museum and the Scarborough Spa. Families may want to visit Peasholm Park, and the Northstead Manor Gardens which is where you’ll find the miniature railway, plus a boating lake, a water chute, and an open-air theatre. Scarborough also has a Sea Life Centre.

Don't forget that the best places to stay in Scarborough are very busy during the peak summer months. Book early to avoid disappointment!

The Best Places to Stay in Scarborough

For Romantics

  • Wrea Head Hall is a grand, Gothic mansion, set in beautiful grounds on the edge of the North York Moors National Park — now converted into a delightful country house hotel with 18 individually decorated rooms and suites. Romantics should book one of the four-poster rooms, or one with a free-standing bath. The communal areas are charming, decorated with antiques, and the fine dining restaurant operates in the original, wood-panelled dining room.

For Families

  • The Plough at Scalby is a cosy inn on a picturesque stretch of the Yorkshire coast, with accommodation that includes spacious cottages as well as rooms and suites above the pub and restaurant. The rooms in the inn are decorated in country-chic style with cosy, heather-coloured rugs, four-poster beds and stand-alone baths; the similarly smart self catering cottages sleep between four and eight and are ideal for families or groups. The pub and restaurant offer classic pub fare with a friendly atmosphere.

For a Country Escape

  • Ox Pasture Hall is a peacefully situated country house hotel, surrounded by English gardens and mature trees. Its 32 spacious rooms and suites are decorated with simple country charm, as is the restaurant. The food is a highlight — Thomas Carr @ The Coast serves creative modern cuisine which showcases the best local produce.

For Great Value

  • Bike & Boot is a fun-feeling contemporary hotel overlooking South Bay. Expect Scandi style blond furnishings and contemporary art work with a cosy, friendly feel. They have a place for your bike, your surfboard, your muddy boots, and your dog, and they’re all about helping you find the local outdoor adventure to suit you. Great for families too.

Best B&Bs

  • Tall Storeys is a charmingly chintzy, seven room B&B within walking distance of many of Scarborough’s highlights. The rooms are spread over several floors, and are decorated with antiques and original features, including ornate fireplaces and four-poster beds. Not one for minimalists!

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

  • If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

  • Scarborough has great rail links. It’s connected to York, Manchester, and Leeds by the TransPennine Express, you can get direct trains from both Newcastle and Birmingham, and the journey from London takes under three hours, when you travel from King Cross, via York. Alternatively you might want to fly in to Leeds Bradford Airport or Teesside International Airport, both are about an hour and a half away by car or taxi, or two and a half hours by public transport. You could also try Manchester Airport, two hours by car, and three and a half by train.
  • If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
  • Scarborough’s weather is a touch milder than most of Yorkshire, with temperatures averaging around 20ºC during the summer months. Winters are cool and moist, with averages of around 7ºC, and plenty of atmospheric fog. Spring is a pretty time to visit if you like sunshine, wildflowers, windy walks and not too many people around, but the sea is very cold!

Still not sure where to stay?

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Monthly Weather in Scarborough

Best Hotels in Scarborough

  • Bike & Boot Scarborough 65 rooms from CA$126

    Families  -  With family rooms, casual dining, fun design, a film club, and a focus on outdoor pursuits — this is ideal for family getaways
    Active Holiday  -  As the name suggests, this place is all about being outdoors whether you want to hike, bike, or surf
    Surfing  -  The area is well known for surfers and there's a place to store your board at the hotel
    Sights nearby  -  Climb up to Scarborough Castle and enjoy the epic views from its vantage point
    RestaurantPet friendlyViewsParking

    A fun hotel with an outdoorsy ethos set overlooking South Bay. Rooms keep the building's original features but feel fresh and funky with pops of colour and contemporary artwork. There's a place for bikes, surfboards, and muddy boots while dogs are also made very welcome. Ideal for an active break. See More

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  • The Plough at Scalby Scarborough (Scalby) 8 rooms from CA$152

    Families  -  Rent out one of three comfortable, smart cottages - equipped with kitchens and living rooms
    Back to Nature  -  Both the Raincliffe Woods and North York Moors National Park are nearby
    Country Escape  -  Comfortable, stylish rooms offer total relaxation
    Great walks  -  Follow the Sea Cut river through to Scarborough Bay or trek over to Robin Hood's Bay for a beautiful sea view
    Air conditioningRestaurantPet friendlyDisabled accessParking

    This cosy inn is located on a beautiful stretch of the Yorkshire coast, nestled between beaches and national parks. Offering stylish, comfortable rooms and cottages, this is the perfect place for both a relaxing romantic getaway or an active family holiday. See More

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  • Wrea Head Hall Scarborough 18 rooms from CA$177

    Romantic Break  -  With fine dining, romantic rooms with large soaking tubs for two, and a secluded setting — this is ideal for a romantic break
    Country Escape  -  A grand Gothic mansion set in manicured gardens on the edge of North York Moors National Park. A superior country escape
    Great walks  -  With the North York Moors National Park on the doorstep, there are miles of hiking trails to discover
    Restaurant  -  Fine dining in the restaurant 1881 is served in the original oak panelled dining room
    RestaurantGardenParkingNo pets

    A grand Gothic mansion set in manicured grounds on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. Rooms and suites are traditionally styled with antiques and several feature freestanding tubs. With drinks served by the fire, fine dining, and an adult environment — this is a perfect couples' escape. See More

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  • Tall Storeys Scarborough 7 rooms from CA$211

    Local exploring  -  Located steps from the harbour, seafront and castle. All the town's attractions are within walking distance
    Charming  -  Set in a handsome Grade II Listed Regency townhouse with elegant and classic interiors
    Short break  -  With plenty to do locally, this is a fun destination for a quick weekend getaway
    Owner managed  -  The owners, Ian and Morna Garner, are warm and very enthusiastic
    GardenPet friendlyParking

    An utterly charming B&B run by friendly and helpful hosts and set within walking distance of most of the town's attractions. Rooms are spread out over several floors and have a cosy homely vibe with flowery fabrics and antiques. Well priced and laid-back - this feels much like staying with family. See More

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  • Ox Pasture Hall Scarborough (North Yorkshire) 32 rooms from CA$236

    Country Escape  -  Set within the North York Moors National Park there is beatiful walking country right from the front door
    Foodies  -  The contemporary take on regional dishes keeps guests coming back for more
    Sights nearby  -  Head to the nearby coastal resorts and beaches – Scarborough, Filey and Robin Hood’s Bay
    Great walks  -  Walking on the North York Moors and in Dalby Forest
    RestaurantGardenPet friendlyDisabled accessViewsParking

    Close to the coast, but feeling deep in the country and surrounded by charming English gardens, this small country-house hotel has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Dogs are made very welcome and the food is as much a highlight as the peaceful views. See More

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