Scarborough North Bay Railway

The narrow-gauge railway that chugs along Scarborough's North Bay is proper old-school seaside fun. You board from the promenade and rattle along the cliff edge for just over a mile, heading toward Peasant's Park, and it's the kind of ride that makes you feel like you've stepped back into a 1950s postcard.

What you get is straightforward but effective - a fifteen-minute journey with decent views across the bay and the clifftop scenery. The carriages are small and open-sided when weather permits, which means you're genuinely exposed to the sea air rather than sealed away. Kids absolutely love it, especially if they've got a fascination with trains or want a break from the beach. Adults often find it a bit sweet rather than thrilling, though the novelty of such a minor railway does have a certain charm.

It's the sort of attraction you slot into a broader seaside day rather than plan a trip around. Twenty minutes total once you factor in queuing and the ride itself. If you're camping nearby at Scarborough Camping and Caravanning Club or the Parkdean resorts down the coast toward Cayton Bay, it's worth knowing about as a rainy-day filler or a half-hour diversion when the kids need a change of pace.

Best visited midweek if possible to avoid the school holiday crush, and go early in the day before queues build up. The railway operates seasonally, so check ahead before making the trip out.