St Martin on the Hill

The church sits on a hill overlooking Scarborough, which is really the whole point of it. St Martin on the Hill commands views across the coast and town that alone make the short walk up worthwhile. Built in the 19th century, it's a proper Victorian church - all Gothic Revival stonework and solid Yorkshire character.

Inside, the real draw is the stained glass. Edward Burne-Jones designed windows here, which is significant if you care about that sort of thing, and they're genuinely worth looking at. The craftsmanship shows. You'll spend maybe 20 to 30 minutes having a proper look around, longer if you're into ecclesiastical architecture or need a quiet moment away from the seafront hustle.

It's free to visit and there's no nonsense about opening times - you can generally get in during daylight hours. The location itself is the selling point: being on higher ground gives you perspective on Scarborough that you don't get from the promenade. Families with older kids or walkers exploring the area will find it worth the detour. Younger children might struggle with the quiet contemplation aspect, though the climb up is manageable.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay is closest at under three miles - this works nicely as a half-hour outing before heading back to the coast. It's not a day-long attraction, but it's the sort of place that adds character to a holiday rather than dominating it.