For the second year running the location of choice for taking our three grandsons away was Scarborough which in theory, after last years break seemed the ideal place offering plenty of activities to keep them happily for a week. All the best of intentions don’t always work out, only on one day did we avoid heavy rain during our seven day stay. But as you will see we did try our best to keep the boys occupied.
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 its 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.
Our campsite was the same as last year, Scarborough Camping and Caravan Club site at Scalby a short walking distance from the sea front at North Bay. I'm afraid that this year the site did not meet their previous high standard something i will explain later.
From the campsite you can walk out to the coastal cliffs above the town which we did on our one and only sunny warm day. Our reward being the delicious ice cream severed up at Peaches and Cream.
The following day the rain started very early and had no intention of stopping. So some inside entertainment was called for. A trip to the South Bay, which was very a popular choice, providing what we used to call ‘penny arcades’, of course the slot machines are a lot more expensive these days and pocket money soon disappeared but at least they all kept dry.
Nestled amidst the picturesque country side near Scarborough, North Yorkshire Water Park offers a diverse range of activities for individuals, families, and corporate groups and was our next port of call. Both the boys and their mother made the most of the Aquapark inflatables, which included slides , swings and stepping stones, climbing walls, huge slides and jumps.
There was also the Junior Splash Kingdom for our 5 years old, added and abetted by his young at heart grandma.
Whitby was earmarked for the following day. Whitby is a very popular English seaside town, as witnessed by the large amount visitors, it has a maritime, mineral and tourist economy. The fishing port emerged during the Middle Ages, supporting important herring and whaling fleets, and was where Captain Cook learned seamanship and, coincidentally, where his first vessel to explore the southern ocean, HMS Endeavour, was built. Jet were mined locally, and jewellery made from the stone can be purchased at many shops.
The town is dominated by both St Mary,s Church and the ruined Whitby Abbey.
St Mary's Church is a grade I listed building on the site of a Saxon church. The church's ancient foundation dates from the 12th century. Over time it has been extensively altered and enlarged but retains several features including box pews.
Finished the day by a walk out the the light house and the West Pier Beacon, very windy but worth it for the views looking back to Whitby Harbour.
Dexters Surf Shop and School was our location for the next two days. This is something the two eldest boys enjoyed last year so wanted a repeat visit. The weather could not have been worse, wet and cold both days.
The school provided all the equipment needed including changing facilities and wetsuits and various sizes of boards, and most importantly qualified instructors. With the rough serf to navigate its a great relief that the instructors know what there about. Both boys enjoyed the experience and i would recommend Dexters as a safe and friendly set up.
Well another years holiday at Scarborough ends, next year we would go somewhere different because of the following criticisms:
- Very many of the hard standings did not have any drainage, therefore causing flooding and making a problem getting in and out of your set up and also a problem keeping your motorhome and awning clean and dry inside.
- Shower facilities needed a deep clean and the mens showers were only lukewarm warm at best. The two hour closure starting at 10 o’clock is quite early with a further block closing at 11am to 12. Which meant that that there was no toilets open from 11 to 12 on a large section of the site.
- Ladies hand dryers were out of order for four days.
- A complete toilet block that was closed last year, still remains out of use.
- Large disused hall going to waste that could be used for a recreational centre for children and families especially during bad weather.
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