In 1626, a natural spring discovered on the cliffs above the South Bay set a new direction for leisure in Britain. What followed saw Scarborough and Scarborough Spa recognised as the country’s first seaside holiday destination and, over time, the blueprint for the British coastal break.
At a point in history when most travel was practical rather than pleasurable, Scarborough began to attract visitors who came for rest, recovery and fresh air. The spa waters, believed to have restorative qualities, drew people from far beyond Yorkshire. Inns, lodging houses and early visitor facilities followed, creating a town shaped around hospitality rather than industry.
This marked a shift in how people thought about time away from home. Scarborough was not just offering a treatment. It was offering a pause. Time spent walking the shoreline, breathing in sea air and stepping away from everyday routines. That idea remains remarkably familiar.
As centuries passed, Scarborough evolved alongside changing tastes. Spa bathing gave way to promenades, pleasure gardens, theatres and later the recognisable features of the Victorian seaside. Each era left its mark, but the purpose stayed largely the same. A place to restore, to gather, and to enjoy the coast.
Now, as the town approaches 2026, Scarborough is preparing to mark 400 years since the discovery of the spa that started it all. The anniversary plans focus on reflection as much as celebration. A programme of activity is expected to explore Scarborough’s spa heritage through exhibitions, talks and storytelling, alongside guided walks that trace the physical and social history of the spa and its surroundings. Cultural events and performances are also planned, linking the spa story with Scarborough’s long relationship with music, theatre and public gathering spaces.
Rather than a single moment, the anniversary is being treated as a year-long opportunity to reconnect residents and visitors with the town’s role in shaping British leisure. It is a chance to look beyond the postcard image and understand why Scarborough mattered, and still matters, in how we choose to spend time away.
For guests staying at Cliff House Holiday Cottages, this history adds depth to a visit to the coast. Being just inland allows for quieter mornings and open countryside, followed by days spent exploring a town that helped define what a holiday by the sea could be. A walk along the South Bay, a visit to the Spa buildings or time spent overlooking the harbour all carry echoes of four centuries of visitors doing much the same.
Scarborough’s story is not about nostalgia alone. It is about continuity. The same reasons that brought people here in the seventeenth century still resonate today. Space, air, water and the chance to slow down. Four hundred years on, that idea remains as relevant as ever. For more details about events and what’s on in 2026 and beyond have a look at the Scarborough Fair website.
For more inspiration about things to do in Scarborough, have a look here.
