YMCA Theatre

The YMCA Theatre sits right in Scarborough town centre, offering a proper little community theatre space where you can catch everything from amateur dramatics to touring shows. It's the sort of place that actually programmes things locals want to watch - pantomimes in winter, smaller theatrical productions, the odd music night - rather than trying to be something it's not. The venue itself is functional and intimate rather than grand, which means decent sightlines from most seats and an atmosphere that feels genuinely connected to the town.

Who'll get the most out of it? Families with kids will absolutely love the pantomime season, particularly around December when it's absolute madness in there. Theatre enthusiasts after something a bit more grassroots than the seafront variety shows will find proper entertainment. It's also worth checking their listings if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay or Haven Blue Dolphin are both within five miles, and an evening show beats another night watching telly in the van.

Admission isn't free, but ticket prices are reasonable and performances usually run to a couple of hours. Best bet is ringing ahead or checking their website to see what's on during your visit - programming changes seasonally. The theatre's integrated into the YMCA building itself, so it's easy to find in the town centre. Honestly, if there's something you fancy and you're in Scarborough, it's worth the detour from the arcades.