Scarborough Yorkshire England.

According to the Lonely Planet guide for England, Scarborough is where the tradition of English seaside holidays began. It goes on to explain that in the 1660's the first batch of visitors came to the site of a local spa for its health giving properties this was followed by the belief in the health giving properties of the sea and in the 1730's Scarborough witnessed the appearance of wheeled bathing carriages on its beech. The railway arrived in 1845, which brought in many visitors and to this day this picturesque seaside resorts popularity has never waned. The shoreline is split by the Scarborough Castle with the harbour and the donkey rides, fish and chip restaurants, and slot machine arcades along with the cheap gift shops situated in the South Bay whereas the North Bay has beach chalets, the Sea Life and Marine Life Sanctuary, the Northway Railway and access to the Cleveland Way cliff walk.

The nearest campsite to the resort is Scarborough Camping and Caravan Club Site at Scalby. Although the site has 300 pitches its very well laid out, well kept and very quiet. The facilities are first rate and the camp staffs are very helpful and friendly. It has a fish and chip takeaway on site also a well-stocked shop. You can cycle into town via the Cinder Track or walk via the coastal path down into the South Bay and there is also a bus service from just outside the camps main entrance. Fortunately we had very good weather for our 4-night stay that allowed us to explore the area both on foot and bike.

The Cliff Top Walk that forms part of the Cleveland Way.

A short distance from the site is the Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track that was the route of the old railway that carried both passengers and goods up and down the North Yorkshire coast. The line was in use from 1885 until its closure in 1965. Following its closure the local Scarborough Council bought the line and it is now part of the National Cycle Route open to walkers, horse riders and of course cyclists. Our first trip along this off-road track was into Scarborough, the track finishing in Sainsbury's car park which is handy for a wee bit of shopping. You can if you wish go further into town, which we did, and have a good look around.

It was on this trip that we visited St Mary's Parish Church, which dates from the 12th century. Its main claim to fame is that its cemetery contains the remains of Anne Bronte the English novelist and poet. The church was originally a lot bigger but was largely destroyed during the siege of Scarborough Castle during the English Civil War. Rebuilt in the late 17th and restored in the mid 19th century.

St Mary's Church.

Anne Bronte's Grave.

The following day we ventured 13 miles north on the Cinder Track that at times can be hard going with its steady incline and rough surface. First stop was at The Station House at Cloughton for coffee and buttered teacakes in a beautiful garden adjoining what was the station platform. This was the busiest station on the line having a cattle dock, goods shed; passing line and coal weigh bridge. It also won many prizes for the best kept station between 1932 and the lines closure. Standing on the original track bed is Oscar a 1962 Derby built Mk1 railway carriage that has been fully refurbished to provide air-conditioned and heated self catering accommodation for up to 6 people. Also the Station House offers bed and breakfast accommodation.

The Station House at Cloughton.

Moving on through Hayburn Wyke to ‘the town that never was’ at Ravenscar for our picnic lunch. Ravenscar Station is the highest point on the railway line at 192m and was meant to service a seaside resort to rival Scarborough but in 1911 the Estate Company went bankrupt, and other than the hotel and a few roads, was never built. One of the problems could have been that access to the shore was at the bottom of a shear cliff face!

The Hotel at Ravenscar.

Some wonderful views from the Cinder Track.

The final part of our bike ride ended at the picturesque chocolate box village of Robin Hood’s Bay, which in all honesty looks like a film set with its twisting narrow cobbled streets, alleyways and quaint cottages. A grand old fishing town with restaurants, coffee shops and some very good quality ice cream parlours. Most walkers will know Robin Hood’s Bay as the end of Wainwright's 190 miles Coast to Coast Walk which starts at St Bees Head adjourning the Irish Sea. Cycled back to Scalby for a well-earned fish supper.

Robin Hood's Bay in the distance.

The end of the Coast to Coast Walk.

Robin Hood's Bay.

A number 12 bus will transport you into the Scarborough town centre and drop you off a short walk from Scarborough Castle. Even if you are not interested in medieval castles the views from its commanding position from the headland that divides the North and South Bays is well worth the climb and the entrance fee. And for those of you that are interested in a wee bit of history then this is the local spot to visit. The site of the castle is said to 'encompass an Iron Age settlement, a Roman signal station, an Anglo Scandinavian settlement and chapel, the 12th century enclosure castle and a 18th century battery’. In the Master Gunners House you will not only find some good coffee and cake but also an exhibition showing the damage done to Scarborough in WW1 by the German Navy. All in all an interesting experience.

The remains of the Castle.

View over North Bay.

The Master Gunners House 

From the Castle you can walk down to the North Bay shore line and the harbour for some lunch. Then you can walk from the Marina along Marine Drive, Royal Albert Drive until you reach the rough-hewn steps that will take you along the cliff edge and eventually back to the campsite.

The marina in South Bay.

Mr Freddie Gilroy.

The colourful Beach Huts in North Bay.

This is an area of North Yorkshire that has a lot to offer and we would have to had extended our short stay to take it all in. A grand and enjoyable holiday spent with old friends at a location I would certainly recommend.