Holiday rentals and lettings in Scarborough

Table of Contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday letting in Scarborough?
• Holiday rentals and lettings in Scarborough: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Scarborough: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Scarborough?

• Choice of accommodation: from seafront apartments and cosy cottages to family homes and characterful cabins, Scarborough offers holiday lettings to suit couples, families and larger groups alike.
• Where to stay: South Bay puts you beside the beach and buzz, while North Bay, the Esplanade and Peasholm offer quieter, more scenic bases within easy reach of the town.
• What guests love: sea views, sandy beaches on the doorstep, easy parking and pet-friendly properties that make bringing the dog straightforward.
• Best time: summer brings warm weather and a lively seafront, while spring and autumn offer quieter beaches and better value.
• Things to do: explore the medieval castle, relax on the two sweeping bays, wander Peasholm Park and discover the town's rich seaside heritage.

Scarborough's holiday lettings span every style of stay, so it is easy to match the property to your trip. Couples often choose a self-catering apartments near the seafront, while families tend to favour a roomy cottage with a garden or a rustic cabin for a quieter escape a short drive from the coast.

• Wi-Fi throughout for staying connected and planning days out
• Private gardens or terraces for relaxed outdoor meals
• Balconies with sea or town views in seafront properties
• Well-equipped kitchens for self-catering families
• Parking on site, a real bonus in the busy summer months

If you are travelling as a group, a spacious holiday home gives everyone room to spread out, while a welcoming bed and breakfast suits those who prefer a lighter-touch stay near the centre.

What are the best areas to stay in Scarborough?

Scarborough is split by its castle headland into two bays, each with its own character, and the choice of neighbourhood shapes the feel of your holiday. The table below sets out the main areas to help you decide where to base yourself.

What do our guests say?

Guests regularly praise how comfortable and well-kept Scarborough's holiday lettings are, and how convenient it is to have the beach, shops and restaurants close by. Many highlight friendly, responsive hosts, spotless properties and thoughtful touches such as welcome packs and local tips. Families appreciate the space and safe beaches, while couples value the sea views and quiet evenings. The chance to bring a dog and the ease of parking come up time and again as reasons visitors return year after year.

Perched on the Yorkshire Coast, Scarborough combines a classic British seaside atmosphere with genuine history and dramatic scenery. Two sweeping bays flank a rocky headland crowned by a ruined medieval castle, and between them you will find sandy beaches, a working harbour, elegant Victorian gardens and a lively town centre. It makes an ideal base for exploring the coast, the North York Moors and the wider region.

✈️What is the best way to get to Scarborough?

Scarborough is well connected by road and rail, making it an easy destination whether you are travelling from within Yorkshire or further afield.

• By car: the A64 runs directly from York to Scarborough, linking with the A1(M) and the wider motorway network, so most visitors driving from the Midlands or the south approach via York.
• By train: regular direct services run to Scarborough from York and Leeds, with connections from across the country, and the station sits right in the town centre within walking distance of the seafront.

🥗Where to eat in Scarborough?

According to Google Maps reviews, Embers is one of the best rated restaurants in Scarborough. Below is a table showing top highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller Charlotte rates il Piatto, a cosy family-run Italian tucked in the town: a friendly, great-value spot for handmade pasta and a relaxed dinner after a day on the beach.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

Scarborough is a year-round destination, but the experience changes with the seasons. Summer is warmest and liveliest, spring and autumn bring quieter beaches and better value, while winter offers bracing walks and a peaceful coast.

Summer (June–August)

• Best for: beach days, family holidays and the full seaside atmosphere.
• Weather: the warmest and driest of the year, with long daylight hours.
• Atmosphere: busy and buzzing, with the seafront, amusements and harbour at their liveliest.

Spring & Autumn (April–May, September–October)

• Best for: coastal walks, quieter sightseeing and better-value stays.
• Weather: mild and changeable, ideal for exploring on foot between showers.
• Atmosphere: relaxed and uncrowded, with plenty still open along the front.

Winter (November–March)

• Best for: bracing beach walks, cosy retreats and a peaceful escape.
• Weather: cold and often windy, with dramatic skies over the bays.
• Atmosphere: quiet and restful, perfect for a snug break by the sea.

⭐Our Hosts' recommendation: Start your day early with a walk up to the castle headland before the crowds arrive, then follow the coastal path around North Bay towards Peasholm Park. It is the best way to take in both of Scarborough's bays and understand why the town has drawn visitors for centuries.

1. Explore Scarborough Castle
2. Relax on South Bay beach
3. Enjoy Peasholm Park
4. Visit the Rotunda Museum and Anne Brontë heritage
5. Discover North Bay and the Sea Life centre

1. Explore Scarborough Castle

   Standing high on the headland between the two bays, Scarborough Castle is the town's most striking landmark. This ruined medieval fortress dates back over 900 years and occupies a site used since the Iron Age and Roman times. Wander the curtain walls, climb towards the great keep and take in sweeping views across the harbour, the beaches and the coastline beyond. Interpretation boards bring its long history to life, and the grassy headland is a wonderful spot for a breezy walk and a picnic.

2. Relax on South Bay beach

   South Bay is the heart of traditional Scarborough, a broad sweep of golden sand backed by the harbour, amusements and seafront cafés. It is perfect for classic seaside days: building sandcastles, paddling in the shallows or simply strolling the promenade with an ice cream. Donkey rides, fishing trips from the harbour and easy access to shops and restaurants make it a firm family favourite. At low tide the beach stretches out invitingly, while the harbour wall offers a fine vantage point over the bay.

3. Enjoy Peasholm Park

   Just behind North Bay, Peasholm Park is a much-loved ornamental garden with an oriental theme, a boating lake and wooded walks. Hire a rowing boat or pedalo, watch the famous naval warfare displays staged on the lake in season, or simply relax among the pagodas, waterfalls and colourful planting. The bandstand hosts summer performances, and the tree-lined paths make for a gentle, shady stroll. It is a peaceful, family-friendly contrast to the busy seafront just moments away.

4. Visit the Rotunda Museum and Anne Brontë heritage

   Housed in a distinctive circular Georgian building, the Rotunda Museum is one of the country's oldest purpose-built museums and tells the story of the Yorkshire Coast's remarkable geology and fossils. Nearby, the town preserves the memory of Anne Brontë, who died in Scarborough and is buried at St Mary's Church beneath the castle. Together they offer a rewarding afternoon for anyone drawn to the region's literary and natural history, all within easy walking distance of the seafront.

5. Discover North Bay and the Sea Life centre

   Quieter and more relaxed than its southern neighbour, North Bay offers a lovely sandy beach, colourful beach huts and a scenic seafront walk. It is home to the Sea Life centre, where families can meet seals, penguins and a host of marine creatures, and to attractions such as the miniature railway. With rock pools to explore at low tide and grassy clifftop gardens above, North Bay is ideal for a calmer day by the sea.