The best farm stays near Scarborough

If you can’t decide between coast and country for your next holiday in Yorkshire, how about Scarborough? One of the undisputed highlights of the Yorkshire Coast, Scarborough is everything you’d expect from a traditional English seaside resort, spread across two sandy beaches with North Riding Forest Park and the North York Moors at the backdoor. Think long sandy beaches, glittering illuminations and amusement arcades, and more family attractions, ice cream vendors, and fish-and-chips shops than you can handle. Throw in a 12th-century castle, a traditional steam train, and some of Yorkshire’s best camping options from beachfront caravan parks to tranquil farm campgrounds, and you’ve got yourself the perfect destination for a summer camping trip.

Scarborough is at its sunny best in the summer months, but be prepared to brave the crowds (and book ahead) if you want to camp by the beach in July and August. The shoulder months of late spring and early autumn make a popular alternative, and you’ll still have a good chance of sunshine in May, June, and September. But let’s be real—we’re not in the tropics here, so pack some warm clothes and an umbrella whenever you choose to visit.

Scarborough’s seaside is where you’ll find most of the town’s entertainment, 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. Visitors can find donkey rides, ice cream kiosks, and fish-and-chip shops on both bays, but North Bay claims the beach huts. The North Bay Railway, a miniature railway whisking travellers the length of the bay, is also in the area, along with Peasholm Park’s boating lake and the Alpamare Waterpark.

For a walk on the wilder side, step out on the Cleveland Way National Trail, perhaps toward Burniston Bay where fossils are sometimes found. To the south, beyond the neighbouring resort of Filey, is Flamborough Head, a wilder stretch of coast great for kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching. Walkers, mountain bikers, and trail runners might also want to head to the North York Moors National Park or 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.