This is the second time I've been to Scarborough, which is the largest seaside town in Yorkshire. The town is thought to have been founded as Skarõaborg in 966 AD by Thorgils Skathi, a Viking raider, although there is no archeological evidence to support this, and this could be Icelandic folklore. There was, however a Roman settlement in the 4th century, and there is evidence to suggest earlier Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements.
I have blogged about Scarborough Castle before, and included some information about the town, link:-
The town still has fishing and service industries, and a long-established link with the creative arts. Tourism is still a major part of the local economy and the seafront was very lively when I was recently there, one weekend at the end of September.
The Grand Hotel had its grand opening in 1867, and previous residents include Edward VIII (when he was Prince of Wales), Winston Churchill and the Beatles.
I was intrigued by this "skinny" building to the side of the hotel, and wondered how it's still standing. It can get somewhat windy on this coast!
But a nosey around the back revealed that it's quite substantially deep (little things intrigue little minds, and all that!)
The red and white building to the left is the Central Tramway funicular- or cliff railway- upper station.
Inside the Grand Hotel, and it does indeed look grand!
I had to waltz up the stairs, and from 1978 to 2004 holiday park company Butlin's owned the hotel.
I did love this little mirrored table!
The hotel is now owned by Britannia, and gets VERY mixed reviews. Some speak of great value for money, yet some tell tales of things such as doors which don't lock, with the occupant having to barricade themselves in with furniture- yikes!
We were staying across the road, but popped in for wine one evening. I can't speak for what it's like to stay in, but it was lovely sitting in the elegant lounge.
Crossing over the Cliff Bridge, and I was glad to be on and not under it, as seagulls nest there. I have no desire to be crapped on by a bird (although my mother always told me it's lucky!)
C.1628 Thomasin Farrer, the wife of one of Scarborough's most prominent citizens, John Farrer, found natural acidic spring water bubbling out from underneath the cliffs. The waters were bitter but were said to cure various ailments. Thousands flocked to the town to try its medicinal properties for themselves, and Scarborough began to gain popularity as a resort.
The Sun Court (part of Scarborough Spa) is soooo photogenic...
This time we were able to walk on the chequerboard Last time we visited on a very wet bank holiday in May and the Sun Court appeared to be inaccessible from the ground floor.
Right hand view, and the seats were set up as a jazz band was putting in an appearance later that day.
The Sun Court featured in the musical film Little Voice (1998), short film Dancing Queen (1993) which starred Rik Mayall and Helena Bonham Carter, and supernatural series Remember Me (2014), starring Michael Palin. The folk song Scarborough Fair featured strongly in the latter production.
We headed along Foreshore Road and past the arcades overlooking South Bay.
The King Richard III Restaurant is nestled between many other bars and cafés. It is so named because it's believed that the King stayed here on naval business in the 1400s.
The little turreted arch is part of The Tea Pot, a popular café which sits at the head of the East Pier.
This is a life-sized sculpture of a Tunny Fish and Hook, by Ray Lonsdale. The tunny (bluefin tuna) is arguably the strongest fish in the world, and big game fishing was a popular sport amongst the wealthy, mostly during the 1930s.
This seaweed sculptore is further down the East Pier, and is called Sea Oak. It's by Paul Morrison.
Overlooking the Outer Harbour...
Beside the funicular are the McBean Steps. I didn't take a photo this time, so I've added one from last year, and here you can see them peeking out to the left. Why did I have to include them? Because the next day I dispensed with the lift and walked up them! There are 153 steps and trust me, by the time I got to the top I was feeling every one of 'em!
During the Middle Ages, Scarborough Fair- a six week trading festival- attracted merchants from all over England and Europe. It was permitted in a royal charter of 1253 but possibly dates as far back as 1155. It was discontinued in 1788, but is still marked every September by local celebrations.
Last year we walked down from St Mary's Church (Anne Bronte is buried in the graveyard there) but missed the Butter Cross, so this year I made sure I found it. A Butter Cross has stood here marking the place where butter was sold since at least the 14th century, although this is a badly-eroded replacement. It's believed to be a reused church pinnacle, possibly taken from one of the friary churches after they were dissolved in 1539, or from the nearby Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, which was demolished in 1561.
So there you have it- my second visit to Scarborough documented blog-fashion. Hopefully I'll shortly be releasing a YouTube vlog about my second trip to Scarborough Castle.
Would I return? Yes!
Until then,
TTFN
Miss Elaineous
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