Scarborough Old Town FREE Heritage Trail
Time required:
90 mins to 2 hours
Trail Level:
MEDIUM - Some steep hills & STEPS
Historical buildings & blue plaques
Great sights and viewpoints
Local knowledge and things to do
pirates, shipwrecks, ghosts and ghouls
Our free walking tour will take you through the Old Town, down to the harbour and lighthouse, up to the castle, and back down through the cobbled streets to the market area.
You'll discover the sights, tales and history, heading off the beaten track while learning about Scarborough's heritage, pirates, smugglers, alehouses, fishing and folklore.
Follow the map below, each checkpoint has its own page with a wealth of information. We suggest starting at checkpoint 1 on Eastborough, but you can pick up the trail from any of the checkpoints along the route.
CLICK THE CHECKPOINT TO find out more about each location
The First Seaside Town
Why do visitors always have fish and chips, or a ride on the donkeys? What brought the Victorians to our golden sands?
Learn about our history as the first seaside town, and where these traditions came from.
Pirates and Smugglers
Walk the hidden cobbles and alleys that smugglers and pirates scrambled up to get away from customs officers. Learn about the pirates who embarked on adventures from Scarborough, and discover the underground smugglers' tunnels beneath your feet.
Fishing & Maritime Heritage
We have quite a history for such a little town - from a medieval fishing town to an important port town, with centuries of folklore and superstitions to discover. Shipwrecks, sea monsters, and some crazy fishermen's superstitions, we explore the mark seafaring has left on our town.