Day out in Scarborough
 

Every so often Mrs Bilbo does a day business trip and I go along to see the odd UK city/town that I've never been to before. This June I went to Scarborough.

Scarborough is a town on the east coast north of Hull, you can get there by car from York or by Train. Scarborough has far too many tattoo parlours, fish and chip shops, golden beeches and doughnut stalls. But there some high spots, a castle, museum, art gallery etc.

Gardens, this small town has lot of hidden formal gardens, not especially well planted (the times of Scarborough's money and glory are long gone) but there is a lot of grass to sit down or let the kids go running around on.

Geology Museum, the Rotunda is a very early museum in world wide terms and has recently been upgraded but is frankly publicity for two sponsoring companies and some impressive fossils (but only if you are really into rocks), you can visit this along with the next site for £3 over the 24 hours

Art Gallery, very well positioned with some fine views onto the bay. Most of the works are the sort of Victorian pieces that the wealthy would bequeath to an art gallery but there are a couple of nice paintings and some very good WW1 charcoals. http://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/

The Woodend, a slightly unusual Victorian villa developed by the Sittwell family as their third favourite house. It now houses some developing businesses (incl the BBC) and the Association of Illustrators (original book art for sale!). Free to visit. Www.woodendcreative.co.uk

The Front, what can I say about the beech front that has not been said about other tacky towns? Still with not a cloud in the sky, 18C and the cleanest golden sand I've seen for a long time.

The Castle, well for £5.20 this is a steal http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...orough-castle/ you can look down on south and north bays from up here and imagine you are deep in a castle.

The bombardment, it turns out that the German Imperial Navy decided to bombard the town in 1914 destroying churches, schools and hotels, you get reminded about the occasion in lots of the official buildings. It did not go down well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on...ool_and_Whitby

Shopping, is actually pretty good with the better mid-range shops all over.

Alan Ayckbourn's tried out all his works in this theatre https://www.sjt.uk.com/

Would I come and stay here, probably not but would I spend a day here and possibly combine it with Robin Hood's Bay https://www.robin-hoods-bay.co.uk/, oh yes..

Great - brings back memories of my day out in Scarborough - went to the Fair - not! the type of tacky in places fading seaside resort I rather collect! Thanks - folks looking for an offbeat day trip from York or envrions can keep Scarborough in mind.

Thank you for this. Scarborough keeps popping up on TV lately, on that creepy ghost story with Michael Palin, a fly on the wall about a bus company, and now The Syndicate. I'll be in the Yorkshire Moors in the autumn and had penciled in a day trip to have a nosy.

beaches, trains (too late last night) sobs with "can we have an edit please?"

We often visit but stay on the Moors. I like to visit Anne Bronte's grave high up on the cliff. And we always get fish and chips from Capplemans. Back street chippy and the best I've ever had anywhere!

Love tha coast.

Particularly Whitby, not been for years but there were some great hand made chocolate shops. Still there?

I have some very unfortunate memories of Scarborough from a geography field trip.

York, the train through the moors from Pickering, James Herriot's veterinary office, Fountains Abbey, Riveaulx Abbey, Eden Camp (WW II homefront museum), etc.

I never lacked for something to do when I home exchanged in Scarborough. The ruins of Scarborough Castle are interesting as well.

Have a wander round the Grand Hotel too...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...e_England.html

My wife and I visited the town several years ago and also had the best fish and chips ever. However, what really amused us was the number of middle-aged men on the beach with trousers rolled up to the knees, and held up by braces(suspenders), with a handkerchief knotted at all four corners on their heads. It was reminiscent of people in UK comics in the fifties. The temperature was only about 15C with a sea breeze! A hardy breed indeed.

The beach held mainly extended Asian families, I guess from Bradford and Keighley (from the accent).

Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience in Scarborough, I have heard alot about it's museums and visual arts facilities. I have aided this town of sea coast to my list and will visit this place soon.

lays claim to be Britain's first seaside resort - I think Ken Dodd played on the opening night

The theatre has been on my list for years but I've never made it despite spending several years in Hull at University.

I did go to the theater when I was in Scarborough. It was years ago and I cannot remember what play I saw. I remember it was by Alan Ackbourn and he was there the night I went!

What an experience to see Ackbourn with Ackbourn!

Hi bilboburgler, It seems you had great fun in Scarborough. I also had visit to Rotunda Museum, the one of oldest almost over 100 years old museum. It's really worth to visit this place.