Maritime Heritage

Scarborough's maritime museum does exactly what it says on the tin - it tells the story of the town's fishing heritage and seafaring past without any pretence. You'll find model ships, old photographs, fishing equipment, and the sort of artefacts that remind you how brutal and vital the sea trade was to this Yorkshire coast.

The collection focuses on local boats and the families who worked them, which means it reads less like a dusty archive and more like a proper history of real people. If you've got kids aged eight upwards, they'll get something from it, though teenagers might find an hour is enough. Adults with any interest in maritime history or Scarborough specifically will linger longer.

It's the sort of place that makes sense as a half-day stop rather than a pilgrimage destination, especially if you're basing yourselves at one of the nearby parks like Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay or Cayton Village just a few miles south. Pop in before heading to the seafront or the harbour - the location works well for that.

Check the opening hours and admission fees before you go, as these aren't listed. It won't burn a hole in your pocket, and it's the kind of museum where a quiet afternoon suits it best - fewer crowds mean you can actually read the panels without squinting round someone's shoulder.