Visit Scarborough Harbour to see a working port and the beating heart of Scarborough’s coastline. Enjoy boat rides and fishing excursions, observe maritime activities, dine at waterfront pubs and discover family-friendly entertainment.
The harbour dates back to the 1200s, when King Henry III gifted timber to construct a marina. In the early 1800s it played an important role in Scarborough becoming one of the principal shipbuilding towns on England’s northeast coast.
A mix of colorful fishing trawlers and private yachts bob up and down in the harbor’s waters. Take an adrenalin-inducing ride on a speedboat, and spot dolphins, seals and seabirds during a pleasure cruise. Fishing trips depart year round and present the chance to catch cod, mackerel and pollock. You can also bring your own equipment and fish from designated areas along the piers.
Stroll along Sandside, a harborfront road lined with cafes, ice cream parlors, pubs and restaurants. Fishing nets sit in piles at the water’s edge and boat owners can often be seen loading and unloading.
Food stands offer classic British seaside fare such as crab pots, pickled cockles and whelks (sea snails). Purchase a souvenir stick of rock, which is a hard stick-shaped boiled candy embedded throughout with the town’s name.
From the eastern Old Pier you can walk out to the Scarborough Lighthouse, which marks the entrance to the harbor. Enjoy uninterrupted views back towards the town, its beach and up to hilltop Scarborough Castle. Watch as boats arrive and study the Diving Belle, a sculpture that depicts a lady preparing to dive into the water.
Scarborough Harbour is a fun place to visit at any time of the year. Get here by walking for 15 minutes from the town’s railway station. Metered parking is available nearby at the West Pier. Foreshore Road is a lively street that stretches along Scarborough Beach to Cleveland Way, which continues to South Bay via South Cliff Gardens.
