Scarborough Library

You won't find Scarborough Library on the typical seaside postcard, but on a drizzly Yorkshire afternoon when the beach is grey and the arcades feel too sticky, it's exactly where you want to be. The library sits right in town and offers proper refuge - a well-stocked local branch with the usual mix of books, computers, and surprisingly good seating areas where you can actually settle in for an hour without feeling rushed.

It's genuinely useful if you're camped at one of the parks just outside town like Cayton Bay or Scarborough Camping and Caravanning Club. Free WiFi makes it a solid backup plan when the weather turns, and staff are helpful without being intrusive. The Thursday evening opening until 19:00 is worth noting if you want to pop in after a day out.

Really though, this is a rainy-day option rather than a destination in itself. Families with young kids might appreciate the children's section for twenty minutes, and anyone needing to check emails or print something will find it does the job. The opening hours are a bit inconsistent - closed Sundays and Mondays - so plan accordingly if you're relying on it.

Not worth driving into Scarborough specifically for, but if you're already exploring the town centre or your caravan site weather forces a rethink, it beats paying for indoor soft play. Think of it as insurance rather than an attraction.