Explore the breathtaking natural beauty of Scarborough during a visit to South Cliff. Just a short walk from the town center you’ll find gorgeous stretches of coastline, themed gardens and scenic lookouts. Play golf and attend hillside motorbike races. Search for sea creatures in rock pools and take time out at cafes that overlook the deep-blue waters of South Bay.
Start your visit at Spa Bridge, a Victorian-era pedestrian bridge that connects Scarborough Beach with South Cliff Gardens. This coastal garden features a pathway that skirts the beachfront before meandering through sprawling green pastures and over a clifftop to the Holbeck neighborhood. Drop down onto the beach at low tide and look for crabs in the tidal pools. Wooden benches provide the perfect opportunity to take breaks and enjoy the views.
Explore the themed areas in the South Cliff Gardens. The Italian Gardens feature formal terraces, colorful flowerbeds and a lily pond decorated with a statue of the winged Roman god Mercury. Sweet aromas permeate the air in the adjacent Rose Garden while the plantings in the Shuttleworth Gardens are designed to stimulate the five senses.
Sport’s enthusiasts can enjoy a round of 18-holes at the picturesque Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club. For more relaxed golfing for all ages, try the Holbeck putting green. Road racing fans flock to Oliver’s Mount Racing for motorbike races on the only natural road track in Britain.
Drive or walk north to Oliver’s Mount War Memorial and Viewing Point. Pause for thought at the memorial to the civilians of Scarborough that lost their lives during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Then gaze over Scarborough’s coastline and spot Scarborough Castle in the near distance. Information plaques at the viewing point mark the direction and distance of significant places and landmarks.
South Cliff is located within comfortable walking distance from Scarborough Beach and Scarborough Harbour. Parking is possible on the streets above South Cliff Gardens, although drivers should be aware of time restrictions.
