Campsites near Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Scarborough has been attracting visitors since seaside holidays were invented. Said to be the original seaside resort, its golden beaches have a timeless appeal and its attractions offer a timeline of its history. A centuries-old castle sits on top of a headland between its two bays looking out over a grand Georgian hotel, Victorian theatre, mid-century cafes and the modern sea life centre. But you can get away from it all here too with wild moorlands, woodlands and stretches of the fossil-rich heritage coast not far away. Camping and glamping can put you within easy reach of Scarborough so you can enjoy the best of coast and country. And there’s choice too with classic campsites as well as glamping sites with bell tents, yurts, tipis, luxury lodges, cabins and pods at Humble Bee Farm. As always, only the best have been chosen by the Hipcamp travel experts.

Things to do in Scarborough

Scarborough’s seaside is where you’ll find most of the town’s entertainment and visitor attractions from the South Bay’s harbour and Spa Theatre area to the North Bay’s Sealife Centre. Separating the two is Scarborough Castle, which has a history stretching back 3,000 years – and fantastic sea views. There are donkey rides, ice cream kiosks and fish and chip shops on both bays but North Bay claim the beach huts. It also has the North Bay Railway, a miniature railway whisking travellers the length of the bay. There’s Peasholm Park with its boating lake and the Alpamare Waterpark too.

For a walk on the wilder side, you can step out on the Cleveland Way National Trail which passes through Scarborough – perhaps towards Burniston Bay where fossils are sometimes found. To the south, beyond the neighbouring resort of Filey, is Flamborough Head, a wilder stretch of coast that’s great for kayaking, hiking and birdwatching. Walkers, mountain bikers and trail runners might also want to head to the North York Moors National Park and specifically to Dalby Forest, part of the North Riding Forest Park. Here more than 70 miles of trails provide plenty of chances for exploration and there’s a tree-top adventure park too.

About

The North Yorkshire town of Scarborough is home to all the seaside spectacles you'd expect – beaches, a pretty harbour and a towering, clifftop castle – while, back in land, North Riding Forest Park and the North York Moors are on the doorstep. For camping and glamping it makes the ideal focal point. Find the best campsites in the area here, with Hipcamp's hand-picked short-list of the very best sites.