Francis Tea Rooms are redolent of a more elegant era, when women wore lace gloves and indulged in afternoon fancies.
On a quiet back street behind Scarborough's Esplanade you will find 1930's wood-panelled booths (the tea room was once a barber's), vintage mismatched china, and embroidered lawn tablecloths.
A full range of Taylor's teas are served by the pot with lemon or milk, and there are a plethora of savoury dishes and home-baked cakes to tempt the tastebuds. The rarebit is particularly good, but my all time favourites have to be the lemon meringue and the cream teas.

7 South Street, Scarborough
+44(0)1723 350550
Google map: bit.ly/JIbj4C

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Scarborough's Open Air Theatre is the largest in Europe, and first opened in 1932. It closed in the 1980's and was left to decay, but is now back stronger than ever, and was re-opened by the Queen in 2010.
Close to the north beach, it occupies a beautiful setting in a natural amphitheatre. The 6500 seats stretch up the hillside, while the stage is in the middle of a small lake against a backdrop of trees.
Over the years it has been home to a variety of performances from local operatic shows to It's a Knockout, and since the re-opening they have staged music festivals, Last Night of The Proms featuring Kiri Te Kanawa, and a gig by Sir Elton John.
2012 events have yet to be announced - remember an umbrella and a rug!

www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com/
Burniston Road, Scarborough YO12 6PF
+44(0)844 888 9991
Google map: bit.ly/mZ2wX0

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This wacky family attraction is a Scarborough institution. Council employees hide inside model ships on Peasholm Park lake and re-enact sea battles. It started in 1927 and they joke that it’s the smallest manned navy in the world. Special effects include bombs, gunfire and aircraft on wires, and the whole thing is preceded by an organist playing in a floating pagoda.

So grab a drink or an ice cream from the cafe or kiosk and take your seat for the The Battle of Peasholm. It takes place at 3pm (on different days of the week according to which of the summer months you visit) and costs £3.70 for adults, £2.10 for children.

www.peasholmpark.com/content/view/9/9/
21-23 Victoria Park, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 7TS
+44(0)1723 500954
Google map: bit.ly/ofOQ1r

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The seaside is the only proper place for a stay in a B&B. The excellent Redcliffe Hotel on Scarborough's South Cliff has it all. Set back from the Esplanade, on leafy Prince of Wales Terrace, it's a short walk to the beach and the town centre. The rooms (some with sea view) are spotless and stylish, with all the extras - such as hairdryer, iron, tea, coffee and Kit Kats. There is a cosy bar and a fabulous first floor lounge with big comfy sofas, books and games.
Ann, the wonderful owner, was born to run a hotel. All her guests return over and over again, and she has entertaining stories to tell that are worth the room rate alone!
Her husband, Brian, makes the best breakfast bar none. The full English is on offer in every combination you could wish for, served with a mountain of toast. Or there's smoked haddock, eggs done every which way and a table groaning with fresh fruit, cereals and yoghurt. All served rather elegantly on thick white linen tablecloths in the charming dining room.

www.theredcliffehotel.com/
18 Prince Of Wales Terrace
Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2AL
+44(0)1723 372310
Google map: bit.ly/eNLWu0

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This pub is the most picturesque in Scarborough. Converted from an old 17th century watermill into an exclusive pub, it is set into the sea wall with panoramic views of Scarborough's beautiful North Bay in front and a river running by the side.
The walks located around this area are equally beautiful, from three-mile walks around from the South to North Bay or if you fancy a bit of a longer trek, the Cleveland Way passes by this wonderful spot.

Scalby Mills Road, Scarborough YO12 6RP
+44(0)1723500449
Google map: bit.ly/hzqvju

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On a cold, clear-blue spring day, park up and walk to the cliff edge to check out the surf. If all you can see is fog, take the risk. Put your wetsuit on, walk down the cliff path and paddle in – 50m later, if you are lucky, you won't be able to see the shore and you have the best chilled, clean waves in England to yourself. If you're even luckier, you can share the waves with your mates. I've surfed round the world, and this is still my most amazing surf experience.

Cayton Bay, Just south of Scarborough.

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Halfway up the cliffs and behind the beach huts, overlooking Scarborough's south bay, the Clock Cafe serves basic foods (tea, coffee (mug or cup?), sandwiches, home made cake) at very affordable prices and .. the view is spectacular. Busy in good weather, closed over winter (opens around mother's day).

Past The Spa, Scarborough YO11 2HD
01723 500 390
Look for the clock.

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A lovely B&B with fabulous sea views over north bay and the castle, enormous locally sourced breakfast and quiet licenced bar. Very friendly. Close to shops and award winning beach.

123 Queens Parade, Scarborough
01723 372676
www.paragonhotel.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/3y3rov7

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Fabulously reassuring cafe with awesome cupcakes (great gifts) and home cooked food. Lovely tea too.

47 Eastborough, Scarborough
01723 354 939
Google map: tinyurl.com/38enqnv

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A traditional fish and chip shop, the best mushy peas and fabulous fish fried to order. Not open on a Saturday evening (to avoid the riff raff). Fries in vegetable oil.

52 North Street Scarborough
+44 (0) 1723 367 448
Google map: tinyurl.com/33od8cy

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Great selection of self-catering holiday flats on Scarborough's beautiful esplanade on South Cliff. Lovely views across harbour and out to sea. Mexican restaurant on site and sports bar.

The Villa Esplanade, South Cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2QA
www.villaesplanade.co.uk

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Cliff-top hotel located on the north bay of Scarborough, offering the best sea views you may ever see! Excellent rates and cheap deals always available. Perfect for families - only five minutes from many attractions and one minute from Blue Flag Beach. Nice rooms, good food and friendly service. Perfect for anyone looking for a seaside holiday on a budget.

The Clifton Hotel,
Queen’s Parade, North Bay,
Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 7HX
www.clifton-hotel-scarborough.co.uk

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Beautiful country house hotel in Scalby Village near Scarborough in North Yorkshire. Attended a small wedding here and it was absolutely stunning. Great rooms, great food, nice wines and some of the most beautiful uninterrupted views of Yorkshire you may ever see!

Wrea Head Country House Hotel in Scarborough
Barmoor Lane, Scalby near Scarborough
www.wrea-head-hotel.co.uk

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Possibly the best hotel in Scarborough. Central location and sea views! Full leisure facilities, good food and great service.

The Royal Hotel in Scarborough
St Nicholas Street, Scarborough YO11 2HE
www.royalhotelscarborough.co.uk

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This is a very good fish and chip takeaway shop (fish and chip shop of the year 06/07). The largest fish I have ever had! It also has a very pleasant seating area in the garden outside, with lots of free parking which is very rare in Scarborough.

Just outside Scarborough on the Crossgates Road heading to Seamer/Pickering only three miles from the centre of Scarborough. Mainly used by local people which must say a lot.

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A new Italian restaurant opened in Scarborough just three months ago and is the hottest place in town. The food is classical Italian, no pizza or spag bol! Fabulous fresh pasta, risotto and steaks. Gamberoni sale - tiger prawns cooked on a bed of rock salt with garlic white wine and fresh lemon - is to die for!

Everything is cooked to order by the owner Claudio (no microwave in sight!) and served in contemporary surroundings by a great team of friendly and helpful staff. The wine list is full of old favourites sourced from Italy, frascati, barola and classic chianti and is very reasonably priced. £11.90 a bottle for the sangiovese house wine.

The deserts are all homemade daily (the best tiramisu I have ever tasted!). £3 - £4 amazingly good value. Main course pastas and risottos are only £6.95, which is excellent and, to finish, an espresso so good if you close your eyes you could be in Italy!

Already booking is essential and a great idea is booking online, which offers a 10% discount - a good idea for parties. This place is a wonderful find and makes a change from the usual Italian restaurants. Do give it a try when you are visiting Scarborough, I am sure you won't be disappointed.

www.da-claudio.co.uk
tel 01723354648
corner of bar street/st nicholas cliff scarborough north yorkshire

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The Alonzi family’s Harbour Bar (opened 1945) is a gleaming, glamorous time capsule from post-war America mislaid among the Victorian boarding houses of North Yorkshire.

Mirrored walls feature neon ice-cream cones and signs with the dubious advice: “Keep fit by eating ice cream every day.”

Patrons sit on red leather banquettes or on high stools at the half-moon, chrome-edged counter. Ice creams are mainly traditional – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana, and lemon and blackcurrant sorbets – made from natural ingredients including Scottish seaweed instead of gelatine.

The café is a meeting place for everyone from local fishermen to playwright Alan Ayckbourne and Michael Winner, a big fan since filming scenes for A Chorus of Disapproval there.

1-2 Sandside, Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Tel: 01723 373662. Open: 7.30am - 6pm, daily.

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I've been eating in this family-run fish and chip shop for 70 years. The fish is always fresh from the docks, the batter's not too thick and not too thin, and the chips are just right. Takeaway to eat on the beach.

Murchison St, Scarborough

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By far the best sit down fish & chips I've had in an English seaside resort.

43 Westborough
Tel: 01723 376 109
www.mother-hubbards.co.uk/

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I was knocked out by the amazing music at last year’s Scarborough Jazz Festival. It’s held in the Victorian Spa Complex - a stunning setting looking out over sand and sea towards imposing cliffs and Scarborough Castle. Time for a paddle and fish and chips between acts! Great atmosphere and value. Can’t wait for this year (15-17 September) with Georgie Fame, Bobbie Wellins, Tina May, Scott Hamilton, Ian Shaw, Guy Barker, Norma Winstone, compere Alan Barnes et al.

Details from (01723) 357869 www.scarboroughjazzfestival.net

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