Scarborough

Victorian grandeur meets seaside grit in this classic Yorkshire resort that refuses to bow to modern pretensions. Two sweeping bays divide the town, each with its own personality - South Bay's formal elegance versus North Bay's family fun factor.

Scaling Castle Hill rewards you with ruins that have watched over these waters since the 12th century. The climb's steep but the views from the top stretch right along the coast. Oliver's Mount offers an easier route to spectacular panoramas, popular with both sightseers and motorsport fans who gather for the annual hill climb events.

Scarborough Spa anchors the town's cultural scene with everything from touring West End shows to local amateur dramatics. It's housed in a gorgeous Victorian building that epitomises the town's golden age confidence. For a proper Yorkshire tipple, Scarborough Brewery down near the harbour does excellent tours and their bitter's well worth sampling.

The beaches are the real draw though. South Bay's wide stretch of sand gets packed in summer, while North Bay stays quieter and feels more authentic somehow. Peasholm Park's naval battles might sound twee but they're surprisingly entertaining - mock sea fights have been staged here since 1927.

Getting here's straightforward enough - the A64 runs direct from York, taking about an hour. Trains connect regularly with Leeds and Hull. The station sits right between both bays, making it dead easy to explore on foot.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get the best of both worlds - easy access to Scarborough's attractions and entertainment, plus the Yorkshire coast's quieter stretches. Cayton Bay's just south, while Filey's pristine sands lie a short drive north.