Must See Sights and Landmarks in Scarborough Area

"There’s something special about the ruins of Whitby Abbey brooding over the harbour from the East Cliff. These ruins were mentioned in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1890), and even at that time the monastery had been abandoned for 350 years. It was set up in the middle of the 7th century by Oswy, the King of Northumbria."

"This medieval abbey, which is a ruin now is said to have inspired Bram Stoker for his famous creation ‘Dracula’. The 199 steps that lead to the ruins can be a great trek and the view from the top is spectacular. The Abbey is a memorable sight, especially against the setting sun."

"There are ruined abbeys, and there are picturesque ruined abbeys. And then there's Whitby Abbey, dominating the skyline above the East Cliff like a great Gothic tombstone silhouetted against..."

"Occupying the 91-metre promontory between the north and south bays are the remnants of Scarborough’s Medieval castle. This indomitable roost over the North Sea was a hill fort in the Bronze Age, and in the fourth century was used as a signal station by the Romans. You can now locate the ruins of an Anglo-Saxon chapel, built around 1000 on the site of the signal station."

"Next we made our way up the hill to Scarborough Castle. This medieval keep is in a commanding location, it would have been a spectacle to behold and easy to defend. The castle is mostly ruined now, but it is great to walk around and learn about the 3000 year history of the site."

"Stately homes may be two a penny in England, but you'll have to try pretty damn hard to find one as breathtakingly stately as Castle Howard, a work of theatrical grandeur and audacity set in the rolling Howardian Hills. This is one of the world's most beautiful buildings, instantly recognisable from its starring role in the 1980s TV series Brideshead Revisited and in the 2008 film of the same name (both based on Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel of nostalgia for the English aristocracy)."

"Standing in the Howardian Hills to the west of Malton, Castle Howard is an outstanding example of English baroque, with a distinctive…"

"The town’s parish church was established as an Augustinian priory in 1113, which grew in importance over the next 400 years and owned land across Yorkshire at its peak. The priory was also fortified with walls following the conflict between King Stephen and Empress Matilda later in the 12th century. The priory was closed down in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the nave, the last remaining structure, became the parish church."

"Bridlington Priory was founded as a Benedictine nunnery by William de Percy in the late 12th century and was dedicated to St Mary. The priory was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 and granted to Sir John Constable. Bridlington Priory Church is a Grade II* listed building situated on the north side of the town of Bridlington."

"At the top of those 199 Steps, and before you get to Whitby Abbey, you’ll be confronted by the compact Church of St Mary. The building goes back to a Norman church, consecrated at the start of the 12th century. The tower, choir and parts of the nave all date to that earliest period, and at the transept you can look for the three Gothic lancet windows."

"The 199 steps of Church Stairs lead steeply up from the end of Church St, passing the spooky graveyard of St Mary's Church, a favourite haunt of Goth courting couples. The atmospheric interior of the church is..."

"On West Cliff, overlooking the mouth of the River Esk, is the Whalebone Arch, an archway formed from a set of 20-foot-high whale jaw bones. The arch is a reminder of the role played in Whitby's heritage by the whaling industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. The original arch was erected in 1853."

"Whitby was once a whaling town and the arch made from 2 whale jaw bones is a reminder of its past. The bones that stand there today are not from illegally hunted whales but those from a whale killed legally by Inuits in Alaska."

"One of those things you simply have to do in Whitby is to climb the 199 steps that wind up from Church Lane to St Mary’s Church on the East Cliff. You’ll be treading the same path as the creature “resembling a large dog” that climbed up to the abbey in Dracula. The stairway is vertiginous, but the higher you go, the better the views back over the roofs of the old town and the harbour."

"Climb the 199 steps to the top of East Cliff for views over the town and harbour. At the top you will find the medieval church of St Mary."

"One of the more beautiful churches in Scarborough, St Martins is filled with gorgeous stained glass windows with designs from celebrated artists including William Morris, Sir Edward Burne-Jones and Dane Gabriel Rosetti."

"High on the isthmus between the old town and castle, St Mary’s is a Grade I listed church, first erected in the 12th century. That building was mostly lost in Civil War in the 17th century, and was rebuilt at the end of the 1600s. Out in the sprawling graveyard you can find the ruins of the old west towers, which give a sense of how much larger the Medieval church used to be."

"Whitby is famous for its Gothic Weekend – but how do goths in hot weather cope?. With blackcurrant and liquorice ice cream, topped off with dark chocolate sprinkles and (spooky) strawberry sauce, of course. The Trillo brand has been making ice cream since WWI, when the founder's family brought his secret recipe over from Italy."

"Ice cream parlours are 10 a penny in Whitby, but this kiosk down at the pier sells the town's very own award-winning stuff. The Trillo brothers who founded it were born in southern Italy and arrived in Whitby in..."

"22/05/2021: Stopped by on a chilly Saturday morning for a brunch....one of the nicest bacon baps I have ever had, I decided to have a toasted tea cake afterwards which was lovely too. Spotlessly clean, lovely staff...my only observation is perhaps the price......I think you should be charging a little more....a real gem. coffeecakechocolatecheesecream"

"Overlooking Scarborough’S Scenic Peasholm Park, The 2-Star Aa Rated Park Manor Hotel Is Less Than 0.5 Miles From The North Bay’S Beach. Rooms Have Free Wi-Fi, And The Restaurant Uses Fresh, Local Ingredients.Offering A Flat-Screen Tv And Free Tea And Coffee, All Rooms Also Have A Private Bathroom With A Hairdryer And Toiletries.Along With A Varied Evening Menu, The Restaurant Also Serves Full English Breakfasts Every Morning. Guests Can Sample Home-Made Shortbread In The Relaxing Lounge And Bar.Park Manor’S Leisure Facilities Include An Indoor Pool, Spa Bath And Steam Room."

"Overlooking Scarborough’s scenic Peasholm Park, the 2-star AA rated Park Manor Hotel is less than 0. 5 miles from the North Bay’s beach. Rooms have free Wi-Fi, and the restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients."

"This eatery on High Street in Bridlington says it offer contemporary British food. The restaurant takes its name from the original Victorian lamp in its rear courtyard."