Discovering Scarborough's Historic Gems: Must-Visit Attractions for 2027

More Than a Seaside Town

Most people come to Scarborough for the sea. And that's entirely understandable — the two bays, the harbour, the wide sandy beaches, the bracing North Sea air. But Scarborough rewards those who look a little deeper. This is a town with 3,000 years of continuous human habitation, and the layers of history are visible everywhere if you know where to look.

Scarborough Castle

We've written about the castle in detail elsewhere, but no list of Scarborough's historic gems would be complete without it. The great keep, built by Henry II in the 1150s, still dominates the headland above the town. The views from the castle grounds are extraordinary, and the site encompasses not just the medieval fortifications but also the remains of a Roman signal station and a Bronze Age settlement. Managed by English Heritage, it's open most of the year and well worth the admission fee.

St Mary's Church and Anne Brontë's Grave

Tucked into the hillside below the castle, St Mary's Church is one of the oldest buildings in Scarborough, with parts dating to the 12th century. But many visitors come here for a more poignant reason: this is where Anne Brontë is buried. The youngest of the three literary Brontë sisters, Anne died in Scarborough in May 1849 at the age of 29, having come to the town in the hope that the sea air might improve her health. Her grave, in the churchyard overlooking the South Bay, is a place of quiet pilgrimage for literary visitors from around the world.

St Martin-on-the-Hill

Often described as "Scarborough's hidden Pre-Raphaelite gem," St Martin-on-the-Hill is a Victorian church that contains an extraordinary collection of decorative arts. The stained glass windows were designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, and the church also contains work by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown. It's a remarkable concentration of Pre-Raphaelite art in an unexpected setting, and admission is free.

The Rotunda Museum

The Rotunda is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the world, opened in 1829 to house the geological collections of William Smith — the "Father of English Geology." The circular building, designed specifically to display rock strata around its interior walls, is a fascinating piece of architectural history in its own right. The collections include fossils, geological specimens, and exhibits on the natural history of the Yorkshire coast. It's particularly good for children with an interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric life.

Peasholm Park and the Naval Warfare

Peasholm Park is one of Scarborough's most beloved public spaces — a beautifully maintained Japanese-inspired park with a boating lake, pagoda, and waterfall. But the park's most unusual attraction is the Naval Warfare display, which has been running since 1927. Miniature warships re-enact famous naval battles on the lake, complete with sound effects and pyrotechnics. It's wonderfully eccentric and genuinely entertaining for all ages. Check the park's website for performance times during the summer season.

The Harbour and Old Town

Scarborough's harbour is one of the most atmospheric in Yorkshire — a working fishing harbour that has been in continuous use since the medieval period. The Old Town that surrounds it is a maze of narrow streets, historic buildings, and independent shops. Look out for The Bolts, a medieval alleyway behind Sandside, and the Harbour Bar — a traditional ice cream parlour that has been serving customers since 1945. The Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre, housed in a former fisherman's cottage near the harbour, tells the story of the town's seafaring past.

The Spa Complex

The Scarborough Spa on the South Cliff is a magnificent Victorian entertainment complex that has been at the heart of the town's cultural life for over 150 years. The Grand Hall hosts concerts, shows, and events throughout the year. Even if you don't attend a performance, the building itself — with its ornate architecture and spectacular clifftop setting — is worth a look. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained and offer wonderful views across the South Bay.

Planning Your Historic Scarborough Day

The good news is that most of these attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. A suggested itinerary: start at the castle in the morning, walk down through the Old Town to the harbour for lunch, visit St Mary's Church and Anne Brontë's grave, then take the cliff lift up to the South Cliff for the Spa and Italian Gardens in the afternoon. Allow a full day, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a camera.