Bicycles, boots, dogs, fish & chips and a castle on the North Sea coast!
Daniel Bailey discovers ever ything that Scarborough has to offer after taking his pet pooch on a pre-lockdown break to the seaside
Fish and chips on the seafront, dog walking along the beach and endless hours playing the 2p slot machines typifies what many of us like to get up to at the good old British seaside.
With four-legged friend Snoopy in tow, lockdown ensured our trip to the Yorkshire coast was the last short break away before Christmas and while spending three activitypacked days in the picture-postcard town, I realised it offered so much more than what I expected.
WHERE TO STAY
As far as dog-friendly hotels in Scarborough go, look no further than the Bike and Boot Inn on Cliff Bridge Terrace.
Its location couldn’t be better as the hotel is perched on a cliffside overlooking the South Bay, with only a short walk to the beach and other attractions, including the 100ft-high ferris wheel, amusement arcades, shops and restaurants.
As the name suggests, Bike and Boot is the ideal accommodation for travelling cyclists and walkers, as well as keen surfers and families just wanting to visit the seaside.
The hotel stays true to its theme with so many quirky ‘bike’ and ‘boot’ features dotted around, leaving you in no doubt to where you are staying.
Rooms sizes vary, but all have facilities ideal for solo travellers, couples, large groups and dogs.
As well as a stunning sea view, our suite featured a king-size bed, safe, coffee machine and mini-bar along with a pet bed and complimentary toy for our whippet.
Beyond reception is the ‘Retreat’ lounge, which is a great place to relax after a long walk, with the perk of free hot drinks all day and cake in the afternoon.
Movies are shown daily in the Film Club and the Wadobi provides facilities where you can groom your pooch, store bicycles and wash any dirty garments.
A hot buffet and continental breakfast is also available in the mornings to ensure you’ll have plenty of calories to burn during your activity-filled day.
WHAT TO DO
If you want to mix up your stay with a bit of history and culture, Scarborough Castle is a must-visit.
Not only is it steeped in 3,000-years of history, it’s also within walking distance from the town centre.
On a clear day, the panoramic views of the dramatic Yorkshire coastline from the castle headland will take your breath away.
It’s also worth spending a day exploring the tranquil North Bay, which can be reached via Marine Drive, where you can watch the crashing waves and even spot some of the North Sea wildlife. A more family-friendly way of getting there is on the miniature North Bay Railway train, which sets off from the picturesque Peasholm Park. With the pooch allowed to hop on, it was an opportunity to rest our legs before another stroll across North Bay beach, which has a much wilder feel than the more commercialised South Bay. Also, just yards from the Bike and Boot, the historic Central Tramway is worth the £1.20 fare if you’re looking for a more sedate form of travel to the promenade.
On a clear day the views of the dramatic Yorkshire coastline will take your breath away
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
When it comes to dining, the Bike and Boot’s Bareca restaurant is a great place to start. It offers a varied menu of Mediterranean classics,
pizza, pasta and grills along with a selection of craft ales, cocktails and smoothies. The spianata piccante and pumpkin seed and feta cheese pizzas were delicious, along with the epic fruit and chocolate ice cream sundaes, which were real belly-busters.
South Bay is dominated by fish and chip shops, but there are plenty of other dog-friendly places to eat and drink if you don’t fancy indulging in the British staple.
In good weather, the Rooftop on Quay Street is a great place to enjoy a drink with a view and Taylor’s Bar and Kitchen in North Bay overlooking the beach is a pleasant hangout.
Further inland The BellyRub micro pub on Victoria Street offers a range of craft beers and comfort food and other dog-friendly pubs to recommend are The Courtyard and Hole in the Wall on Vernon Road.
Fish and chips can be enjoyed anywhere in Scarborough, but you won’t be disappointed with The Anchor or The Famous Fish Pan, both of which rank highly in the TripAdvisor charts.
For something more upmarket, The Green Room Brasserie on Victoria Road offers a mix of English, French and Asian dishes, with the threecourse set menu a snip at £28 per person.