Scarborough Landmarks and Monuments

(Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK)



Scarborough Castle pictureThe town's most important landmarks are all man-made and range from an ornate spa footbridge and Victorian pier, to a white lighthouse and harbour. However, without question it is the elevated remains of the ancient Scarborough Castle that are the most breathtaking, being clearly visible from miles away.

A prominent Grade-II listed landmark on the seafront, the Scarborough Spa Complex comes with its very own resident group of musicians - the acclaimed Scarborough Spa Orchestra, who perform here each week throughout the summer season. Other notable sights and local monuments include the glitzy Opera House Casino, St. Andrew's United Reformed Church, the strangely named Hairy Bob's Cave, and the actual grave of Anne Bronte.


Photo of Scarborough Castle's historic Keep

Scarborough Castle

Address: Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY, England, UK
Tel: +44 01723 372451
Built to defend the headland between the North Bay and the South Bay, the medieval fortress that is Scarborough Castle dates back to the 12th century and enjoys awesome views of the North Sea. These ruins dominate the coastline for literally miles and regularly feature on many of the town's postcards and promotional tourist brochures. Over the centuries, the castle has been attacked and besieged during historic wars, such as both the First English Civil War and the Jacobite Rebellion. During the First World War, the castle was badly damaged by gunfire from a German warship and its former glory is now rather hard to imagine. Since 1984, Scarborough Castle has been managed by the English Heritage organisation, which has partly renovated some areas and opened a visitors centre to showcase the various excavated treasures.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 10:00 to 18:00; October to March, Monday - 10:00 to 16:00, Thursday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 15 years old, families and seniors, children five years old and under are free, members of the English Heritage are also free

Aerial view of the Scarborough Spa Complex

Scarborough Spa Complex

Address: South Bay, Foreshore Road, Scarborough, YO11 2HD, England, UK
Tel: +44 01723 376774
This beautiful Victorian building comprises a number of different venues, with the Grand Hall being the largest and capable of accommodating audiences of around 2,000. The Spa Theatre is another important entertainment venue within the Scarborough Spa Complex, although is somewhat smaller than the Great Hall and can seat just over 600 people, one third of which occupy a large balcony. Other spaces include the Long Bar, the Music Room, the Ocean Room, the Promenade Lounge (Mezzanine Bar), the Regency Rooms, the Roof Garden, the Sun Court Suite and the Vitadome.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for shows and some events

Opera House Casino picture

Opera House Casino

Address: 56-64 St. Thomas Street, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1DU, England, UK
Tel: +44 01723 357940
Opened in late 2005, the Opera House Casino was built at the cost of roughly £7 million, proving to be the largest and most significant new entertainment investment in the town for more than 30 years. This modern landmark stands on St. Thomas Street, just off the corner of North Marine Road and Castle Road, and is home to numerous gaming tables, where gamblers can play blackjack, baccarat and poker (Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold'em) until the early hours of the morning. There are also around 20 individual 'jackpot' slot machines with big prize money, and regular poker tournaments. Food is serve here each day in both the Casino Lounge and at the Stalls Bar, between the hours of 18:00 and 02:00.
Open hours: daily - 14:00 to 06:00
Admission: free casino membership for over 18s

Anne Bronte's Grave photograph

Anne Bronte's Grave

Address: St. Mary's Church, Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY, England, UK
One of the world-famous Bronte sisters, renowned British novelist Anne Bronte (1820 to 1849) was actually born in Scarborough and spent much of her life living in the small Yorkshire moors' village of Haworth. Although Anne Bronte's literary successes are usually overshadowed by her sisters' accomplishments, which include the novels of Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte, and Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Bronte, Anne's writing soon became known for its irony, rather than romanticism. Her two published novels are Agnes Grey and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall, as well as many poems. Anne Bronte often enjoyed family holidays in Scarborough, and after catching influenza in the winter of 1848, she returned to this town once again in February 1849, in the hope that the sea air would improve her health. Sadly, her condition deteriorated and she died several months after her return to Scarborough, aged just 29 years old, and is now buried at St. Mary's Church, with her grave being regularly visited by her modern-day fans.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Ayton Castle view

Ayton Castle

Address: Castle Rise, West Ayton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO13 9JY, England, UK
Tel: +44 01723 383636
This late 14th-century landmark tower house lies on the south-westerly outskirts of the town, being just under 8 km / 5 miles away. On the eastern side of the ruins are the bailey ramparts, which are still clearly visible, amongst the grass. The inner gateway is now very much overgrown, as are the former fishponds. The castle remains are always open and reached by a prominent footpath.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Image of Hairy Bob's Cave

Hairy Bob's Cave

Address: Royal Albert Drive, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1PP, England, UK
The history of this somewhat unusual folly is a little unclear, although many locals believe that this large rock was carved by workmen at the end of the 19th century, to provide a possible place of shelter when they were building the Royal Albert Drive. Resembling a house in its appearance, since it features a doorway and two windows, Hairy Bob's Cave stands at the foot of Scarborough Castle and is thought to have been named after its creator, a member of the local Bobb family.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

St. Andrew's United Reformed Church

Address: Ramshill Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2LN, England, UK
Tel: +44 01723 360337
Although Scarborough is home to numerous churches and religious landmarks, St. Andrew's United Reformed Church on Ramshill Road is particularly spectacular and known by many as the 'Cathedral of Yorkshire Congregationalism'. Construction of this church began in 1864 and today visitors can marvel at its imposing neo-Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows (by Wailes of Newcastle) and St. John's Chapel. Seasonal fairs, choir recitals and carol services take place here each year, when all are welcome.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free