My happy place (Scarborough in General)

Member Name: yabbadabbadoo

Product:	Scarborough in General
Date:	05/11/08 (295 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Seaside spectacular

Disadvantages: can get crowded

Scarborough


A few years ago, an American exchange student I'd shared a room with over in Germany sent me a typed circular letter proclaiming that he'd just got engaged to his wonderful fiancé in the "happiest place on earth" - Disneyland Florida.
Cringeworthy stuff I'm sure you'll agree, but it did get me thinking as to where in the world my "happy place is" and the inescapable truth dawned on me -

For me it has to be Scarborough!! - now before you start questioning my sanity, particularly when I tell you that I've travelled to the States, most of Continental Europe, lived in Germany, the Gulf, in Africa - I grant you that there are vastly more historically significant and spectacular places, far more refined cultural experiences to be found.

But you know what at the end of it all I'm a man of simple pleasures, and to me, fill me full of fresh and fabulous fish and chips, stick a double chocolate waffle cone and a flake in one hand, a tray of mixed sea food in the other, park me on a golden sandy beach watching my little boy squishing my newly built sandcastles - and I'm there - I'm in my own personal paradise!!!

Now for the remaining non-believers here's a selection of some of my Scarborough highlights

****Peasholm Park ******

Let's start with the down-right off the scale example of pure British eccentrism that occurs in Peasholm Park, situated in the North Bay area, every day throughout the summer. I'm talking of course about the Naval Battles - never heard of them - well allow me to enlighten you. In the middle of the park, there's a nice little boating lake, you can take a selection of swan shaped pedal boats and "sail" all the way round, for a nice relaxing afternoon.

But then somewhere around mid-afternoon, the park takes on a whole new significance - as the host for the Naval Battle spectacular. Basically an army of wader wearing enthusiasts plonk a selection of six foot replica boats over their heads and charge around the lake recreating some of the great submarine and battleship confrontations of recent times. Take that basic recipe, and add into the mix a Captain Beaky stylie compare, who has his own little stage mid-lake fully equipped with organ system and effects, who leads us all (for we the expectant crowd are by now gathered in the handily situated concrete layered seating overlooking the lake) in a mass of rabble rousing sing song tunes.

Then the battle gets underway, and I have to warn anyone with little babas to cover their ears - some of the explosions are pretty loud and a tad scary. At the peak of the battle, there is one overriding moment of such complete joy to savour...."Don't worry here come the RAF!" is the cry as our British ships are being pounded by enemy submarines and warships to their very limit. And true to the word they arrive, shiny white balsa wood sticks on a piece of wire, stuttering towards the lake - you can only marvel how they drop their bombs, disappear back up the wire and then a few seconds later, the explosion happens in the water - I've seen it three times and they've not timed it right yet - bless!!!"
Now to witness the phenomenon there is a small fee to pay at the gate (but if you are crafty and already in the park you may even skip that) - but believe me if you only get one chance to visit Scarborough in your life - you have to see this show!!

**** North and South Bays - via the SS!****

Scarborough beaches basically divide into two areas. The North Bay, although there are currently a number of new hotel and resort developments underway is really the unspoilt side of things - a good mile of sandy beaches which lead you in one direction to the Sealife Centre - always worth a visit (can use two for one vouchers you get in Tescos), and in the other towards the cliff edges with Scarborough Castle up above.

I always park up on the North Bay side, plenty of car-parking available even at peak season times, and take a good old stroll and a paddle here, then when its time for lunch take a trip over to the South Bay. And this is where the SS bit comes in - no not some neo-nazi experiment in beach transportation, the SS stands for SeaFront Service - and it's a glorious, depending on the season often ice cold 5 minute ride to the southbay for around £1.50 a head.

*****Lunchtime - Golden Grid****

I guess everyone will have their favourite fish and chip restaurant - there are a good number at the South Bay, wee willie Winkies, the Packet Inn, but for me it goes back to when I first visited Scarborough as a nine year old on a school outing. We went to the Golden Grid, and I loved the fact that not only were we allowed window seats with harbour views upstairs, it was so posh it had a third level just for us - now looking back on it I realise that it was more a case of keep those noisy schoolkids out of the way of the paying guests - but hey I felt special!!

The fish and the service that goes with it are still just as good as I remember to this day - so I'm afraid my family never gets to try anywhere else!!

****Harbour and Beach****

After lunch I head straight for the seafood stalls and tuck into a mixed tray of whelks, cockles and all the trimmings, and it's a bracing stroll to the harbour - there are numerous boat and fishing trips operating here, always worth checking out.

As I said earlier the South Bay is usually much busier, but its here on the beach that you'll find some of Britains best loved Beach donkeys -always amuses me that they are decked out like bin men in their fluorescent jackets with Scarborough Borough Council written on them!

****Scarborough Castle***

If you've got any energy left, and particularly if you are an English Heritage Member, you might consider a trip up to the Castle - spectacular views, wonderful tea shop and an audio tour that takes you through a fairly colourful history - it was still used as a working military garrison in the 20th century and was even bombed by German warships - you see that Peasholm Park experience is very educational!!

So there you have it 5 reasons among numerous others that I have to love Scarborough the best. And the tears welled up in my eyes when my little boy, then a mere 18 months managed to repeat the phrase over and over

"nice Scarrrr boorrr ouggh!!" - no better endorsement than that for me - the boys got taste :)

Summary: Love this resort!