Bus Blogger Lewis: The wonders of Scarborough!

As the days grow longer and the sun starts to make regular appearances, summer is just around the corner and what better way to spend a sunny day then Scarborough - enjoying some refreshing coastal air! Having decided to take the car from Hull, we selected the Seamer Road Park and Ride for our journey into the seaside town. With its complimentary parking and cheap fares, it spared us the trouble of hunting for parking spaces and dealing with hefty car parking charges! Both Park and Ride sites (there’s another on Filey Road) offer ample parking, clean toilet facilities, and warm indoor waiting areas, making the service even more convenient.

East Yorkshire also operates Coaster services from Bridlington, Filey, and nearby holiday villages, with frequent departures every 30 minutes, providing easy access to Scarborough for travellers arriving by train.

New for summer 2024, visitors arriving by train can now hop on the open-top Beachcomber buses departing from the Railway Station too! Alternatively, both the Park and Ride and Coaster buses provide convenient connections at the Aquarium Top to the beachcomber buses, making it even easier to jump on board the open top buses!

Enjoying the sunny weather, we had a leisurely stroll along the seafront, passing the iconic Scarborough Wheel

Headed towards the beach, where kids can even ride donkeys and on warmer days go for a swim! Scarborough has two award winning sandy beaches, south bay and north Bay with the beachcomber linking both up to every 15 minutes at the peak of the summer season. Lifeguards also operate on the beach during peak season and the lifeboat station next door is also open to the public to see the lifesaving boats (Check before you swim though). 

We made a stop at the Harbour Bar for some highly recommended ice cream (especially the chocolate twist) 

Continuing past the harbour, where thrill-seekers can embark on speed boat rides or pirate ship adventures, we passed Luna Park amusements where you can enjoy many theme park style rides including the dodgems, cyclone, and frog hopper!

With a stop right opposite, we then hopped on the Beachcomber Red to the North Bay, enjoying panoramic views from the open-top double-decker and enjoy the views of three South Bay and North Sea, there’s often a chance to spot harbour porpoises too! We also passed the Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers statue, a retired serviceman who took part in the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp now sits on a bench in his elderly years. Gilroy, a companion of the sculptor, Lonsdale, inspired the creation of this piece, serving as both a tribute to him and a broader memorial to the war and Holocaust.

A quick round of crazy golf at the North Bay (the beach is always worth a visit too). 

We enjoyed a delightful stroll through Peasholm Park, which won the Green Flag Award in 2022 and you can definitely tell why. We explored its beautiful gardens, streams and boating lakes, with ample space for picnics and children's play. We unfortunately however decided to skip the rowing boat activities though! Nonetheless, the park, with its free admission, is perfect for budget-conscious visitors. Additionally, the park hosts the world-renowned Naval Warfare event (July and August) – a one-of-a-kind miniature sea battle spectacular. It's a unique family attraction and quite possibly the longest-running show of its kind, many members of the family being able to recall seeing it when they were a child!

Next, we continued our ride onwards to Scalby Mills, where the Sea Life Centre is located. Covered by our day tickets which was perfect, the buses were also frequent, so we never waited long. Along the way, we passed the North Bay Railway, offering not only a miniature railway service but also a sky trail for the more adventurous. And for those seeking thrills, there's the Peasholm Water Chute there too. 

During events at Scarborough Open Air Theatre, East Yorkshire even has extra buses to the town centre, easing any worries about event parking.

The service also passes Scarborough Alpamare which although currently closed, it is hopeful to reopen as scheduled again later this year, with its exciting wave pools, inside and outside swimming pools and four slides. If there’s not for you, you can relax in its ‘lazy river pool’ or take it easy in the spa!

At Scalby Mills, home to the 'Old Scalby Mills Pub,' we took a brief walk along the Cleveland Way, which extends all the way to Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay, offering stunning views of the North Bay, well worth a visit if you have time! 

For those seeking a less adventurous outing, the Sea Life Centre is a fantastic option, offering a glimpse into the underwater world with over 2500 sea creatures, including starfish. The centre also features a rainforest adventure area with numerous reptiles. Don't miss the Seal Hospital either, where you can meet the latest patients undergoing treatment.

We headed back towards the South Bay, enjoying the views once again (albeit windy - but isn’t that part of the fun?), taking in the delights of Scarborough castle, with over 3,000 years of history and amazing views of the bays! It’s definitely worth the climb! 

And of course, a visit to Scarborough wouldn't be complete without indulging in some fish and chips and that’s just where we headed as we got off the bus!

All buses are wheelchair and pushchair accessible with super-low floors and are distinctive in the red and cream East Yorkshire livery complete with a smart wave to really stand out from the others! If it ever gets wet that’s fine too! The buses have plenty of seating downstairs and the upstairs front has a roof too!!

For as little as £3, adventures can secure one-way tickets, while those eager to fully explore the area can opt for day passes at £5 for adults and £3 for children, granting unlimited rides throughout the day. Groups of up to four individuals travelling together can enjoy even greater savings with a group ticket priced at just £12!

Additionally, those travelling into Scarborough by car can take advantage of local Park & Ride sites by purchasing a discounted ticket, combining both Park & Ride and Beachcomber. Combined tickets are even cheaper on the East Yorkshire Buses app, starting at just £7.50 for an adult, £4.50 for a child, or £17.00 for a group of up to 4 people travelling together – perfect for families heading into Scarborough by car.