The Romans built a signalling station at Scarborough around 370 AD. At that time Saxons from Germany were raiding eastern England. If their fleet was sighted off Scarborough signal torches were lighted to warn the Roman armed forces.
However it is believed that the Danes founded the town of Scarborough in the 10th century. The 'borough' part of its name is a corruption of burgh, which meant fort or fortified settlement. Scarborough was devastated in 1066 when the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada invaded England. His men burned Scarborough and killed many of the inhabitants. However Hardrada himself was killed shortly afterwards at the battle of Stamford Bridge.
In the 12th century Scarborough revived. Around 1136 a castle was built there. The keep of Scarborough castle (which still stands) was built in 1158. Soon a little town grew around the castle. In the Middle Ages towns sometimes grew up beside castles because the garrison were a market for craftsmen's goods. More...
Whilst staying at the Lonsdale Villa why not visit:
Honey Farm, East Ayton.
It's to bee sure that you will find a hive of activity here, with a bee exhibition, farm shop and tea rooms. Call them for further details: 01723 865198
Scarborough lighthouse.
Scarborough lighthouse
has been guiding boats into the harbour since around 1800, but was re-built after being destroyed by shells from German Warships on the morning of December 16th 1914. When rebuilt in the 1930's a foghorn was added and this doubled up as an air raid siren in World War II.
To visit you'll need to walk along Vincent Pier, built in the 1700's and named after engineer William Vincent. The pier is the central of 3 piers and separates the traditional commercial harbour and the yatching harbour. More...
Scarborough Art Gallery.
The gallery has had a fascinating history; this Italianate villa is the finest building situated in Scarborough’s beautiful Crescent gardens. The Crescent was designed in 1823 as part of the massive building programme in Victorian Scarborough. The Art Gallery was built in the late 1840s by the Uppleby family; neighbours included Lord and Lady Londesborough at Londesborough Lodge and Sir George Sitwell and family at Woodend who used these houses as holiday homes. More....
The Scarborough North Bay Miniature Railway.
The 20 inch gauge Scarborough North Bay Railway has been operating since 1931, running for around 3/4 of a mile from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills stations, offering beautiful views of Scarborough's North Bay. Trains are operated by four historic Hudswell Clarke steam outline diesel locomotives, three of which are modelled on LNER pacifics. More....
Scarborough Castle.
With over 2,500 years of turbulent history behind it, Scarborough Castle defends a prominent headland between two bays, with sheer drops to the sea. Before the castle was built, this natural fortress was favoured by prehistoric settlers before serving as a Roman signal
station and Viking haven. This spectacular castle has also endured sieges from medieval kings and Civil War armies, and German naval bombardment during WWII. Now you can climb to the battlement viewing platforms for dramatic ocean views of the Scarborough coastline, and take tea in the 18th-century
Master Gunner's House. More...

Peasholm Park.
The Peasholm Park Friends are a voluntary organisation dedicated to the refurbishment and further enhancement of Peasholm Park, which is in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK.
Peasholm Park has suffered from a severe lack of funding and from a lack of care for a good many years, and as we consider it to be one of Scarborough’s main tourist attractions, they are determined to find ways of restoring it to its former glory – and even enhancing it, to bring it magnificently into the twenty-first century.
Peasholm Park is a key element of the North Bay experience and has been cherished by visitors since its inception in the early 1900s. Restoring it to its rightful position as "Jewel" in Scarborough’s tourist crown will surely be of benefit to the whole town. More...
Scarborough SEA LIFE and Marine Sanctuary.
Here you will find an introduction to many strange, beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep.
Prepare for astonishing close views of everything from humble starfish to mighty sharks, all in displays which carefully recreate their natural habitats.
Explore freshwater rivers and streams, the rugged UK coastline, the shallows and the dark depths of the North Sea and the crystal clear warm waters of the Barrier Reef. At every step there are different amazing creatures to find, to watch and to learn about.
Discover the truth about the much-misunderstood shark; the plight of the endangered sea turtle; the remarkable lives of seahorses and countless more surprising facts about these and other incredible creatures. More...

