UK’s oldest seaside resort has Britain’s largest mini railway, a world-class B&B and a beach like one of Oz’s finest
ONE of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts is home to both the best bed and breakfast in the world and a beach that has been compared to one in Australia.
British holiday resorts perhaps don’t get the credit they deserve, but there’s a reason they have remained popular destinations for so many years.
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In fact, the country’s oldest holiday resort, Scarborough, is still impressing guests to this day, with its world class accommodation options and stunning stretches of shoreline.
The Yorkshire town first became a popular spot for staycationers almost 400 years ago, in the mid 1600s.
And it’s still held in very high esteem now, with only nearby Whitby beating it to the top of a list of the most popular UK holiday destinations back in 2022.
One of the reasons Scarborough attracts visitors in the numbers that it does is because of its long stretches of sandy beach.
According to Visit Scarborough, the town has some of “the best beaches in the country” which includes the Blue Flag North Bay Beach.
It’s favoured by “bathers, families, surfers and a variety of water sports enthusiasts” accord to the Beach Guide, who are also fond of the ruins of 11th century Scarborough Castle, which they say “dominates” the beach’s backdrop.
The castle’s ruins are cared for by English Heritage and visitors can take in the spectacular views out to sea from on top of the hill, surrounded by its remaining turrets towers.
Its long and storied history includes attacks from Vikings, medieval barons and Tudor rebels, making it a fascinating place for a family day out.
However, there are some smaller and less historical buildings around North Bay Beach that also help it grab the headlines.
A small cluster of brightly coloured beach huts can be hired for use for visitors to the bay and they have contributed to comparisons being drawn up between North Bay and beaches in Australia.
Enjoy Travel said in an article: “When placed side by side, the colourful beach huts at North Bay Beach and at Australia’s Brighton Beach look extremely similar.”
Other old seaside constructions include the Central Tramway – rated the best thing to do in the town on TripAdvisor, and also winner of one of their Traveller’s Choice Awards this year.
The electric powered funicular railway was built in 1881 and carries passengers up and down the 248ft track from the South Bay Beach and tourist arcades to the town centre.
It’s not the only attraction on tracks that visitors love however, with the North Bay Railway also found in Scarborough.
The World's Best Bed and Breakfasts
This is the list of the best bed and breakfasts in the world in 2024, according to TripAdvisor.
- Voile Bleue, Mauritius
- The Toulson Court, Scarborough, UK
- Dar Ahlam Hotel, Boumalne Dades, Morocco
- Abode Bombay, Mumbai, India
- Pousada Gaia Viva, Igarata, Brazil
- Highcliffe House, Lynton, UK
- Candleberry Inn, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
- Gloucester House, Weymouth, UK
- Yarra Gables, Healesville, Australia
- The Berburry Hotel, Torquay, UK
- Hillcrest, Whitby, UK
- Riad Andalla Spa, Marrakech, Morocco
- The Cedar House Inn, St Augustine, Florida
- Dar El Mandar Farm, Fes, Morocco
- Pinkcoco Gili Air, Gili Air, Indonesia
- Dormire a Napoli, Naples, Italy
- B&B Casa Camilla, Padua, Italy
- Khmer Mansion, Svay Dangkum, Cambodia
- Pousada Quarto Crescente, Trancoso, Brazil
- Beyond By Sula, Ganeshgaon Naik, India
- Antico Mondo Rooms, Polignano a Mare, Italy
- Pousada Portal da Concha, Itacare, Brazil
- Relais Ortaglia, Montepulciano, Italy
- Pousada Recanto do Arraial, Arraial d’Ajuda, Brazil
- Riad Abaca Badra, Marrakech, Morroco
Britain’s biggest miniature railway carries passengers along the coastline on a two-mile return journey from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills.
Trains run daily along the track during the summer and are currently operating from 10.40am until 4pm until October 31 this year.
For those looking to book a night in Scarborough, there are plenty of highly-rated B&Bs hosting guests throughout the year.
However, those lucky enough to get a booking in one of the eight bedrooms in The Toulson Court B&B can consider themselves among the most fortunate.
For three years in a row, this guesthouse was rated the best B&B in the world, and it currently sits in second place overall on a list of the best B&Bs and inns on the planet.
Only a beachfront accommodation in Mauritius pips it to top spot, but isn’t quite a B&B since it doesn’t fit the description of “an accommodation in a private home” as clarified by Absolute Escapes.
The hotel has been given thousands of five star reviews with many overly impressed with their stay.
One wrote: “The guest house completely exceeded our expectations. The standard of cleanliness was exceptional, the bath towels were so luxurious and the quality, variety and service at breakfast was first class.”
Another said: “Every single thing about Toulson Court is impeccable. All the areas are immaculately clean, every single nook, cranny and corner spotless.”
A third added: “A very special place – great value for money the facilities are great and the hosts Andrea and James just go the extra mile for all their guests.”
Best deals on trips to Scarborough
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Hotels in Scarborough from £35 per night
Travelodge Hotel rooms from £39 per room, per night
Airbnb accommodation from £46 per room, per night
Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay short breaks from £99 per stay
Meanwhile, this hotel has been rated the best in the world by travel specialists.
And this UK seaside town was named the best in the country.