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| - The changing season has got me thinking about some of my favourite summer haunts. Scarborough and it's many attractions has always been a firm favourite. It is a good hour and half, almost, on train from where I live in Hull but well worth the journey. One of my favourites there is the Castle.
Whenever we visited Scarborough as children we always visited Scarborough Castle. As a child it involved a very tiring walk, for myself and my brother, to reach the Castle and usually left us quiet and peaceful for our parents the rest of the day.
The last time we visited the Castle I thought 'I know I am getting old' as the walk felt as tiring as when I was a child. You can reach the Castle by a few different routes. There is a drive at the end of a road which leads you to the impressive, stone, large Gatehouse of the Castle and cuts down on most of the uphill walking. However, hard as the walking is, that is part of the fun of the place. You can either start at the bottom of the winding path, which leads you up-hill to the castle, or climb the stone steps, between some houses arriving half-way up this path. As you walk up the slope you have the deep, now grassy, moat on one side and beautiful views over the red rooftops at the other side looking towards Scarborugh and it's harbour. The moat used to have some childrens swings in it, at one point, and I presume it still has.
Ideally you want to visit Scarborough Castle when it is a really sunny day but not too warm. Too hot and the walk can be sticky plus there is little shade when you reach the Castle at the top. Too cold and you can feel very wind blown in the open area of the Castle.
You can do the walk without paying to enter the Castle. However if you have not visited before this would be a shame. You pass through an entrance, the Gatehouse, to the Castle and its Ruins. As I have already said, it can either be very hot up here or more than likely a little cold.
Looking through the narrow window slits that the Archers would use in years gone by the views and scenery is magnificent. The battlements are still impressive and help to give a good feel for the place. You can almost imagine what it must have been like back then. This Castle was used 2,500 years ago to defend the headland on which it is built. It is situated 300 foot above the sea and offers views to the North and the South. This headland now separates what is the North Beach from the South Beach and, as such it is easy to locate for a visit, once in Scarborough. It is visible from the sea front and from most parts of the town. However back then, of course, it would just be a Castle on the headland looking over and protecting the two bays.
Having been attacked over many years by peoples such as the Roman armies, the Vikings, the Kings of the middle ages, being beseiged in the English Civil War and even more recently being bombarded by the German Navy in World War One, it is little wonder that most of Scarborough Castle is in ruins. However much of the wall is in tact, there is a Well, Henry the second's 13th century Keep, a Gunner's house and the impressive Gatehouse. Near to the Gunner's house there are a few picnic tables. Throughout the grassy area there are information boards and remnants of a bygone age. Evidence of the iron age was discovered on this site but a Castle, as such, was not built until the 1130's. This building was added to over the years that followed.
Usually when we visit we leave the Castle through the other entrance which leads down to the South Bay. This Bay has Peasholm Park and nearby is the Sea Life Centre. The South Beach area is less commercialised than the North. It is odd to think that the South Bay is where Scarborough's resort status began. This side always had, and still does, the slightly classier hotels and the like. Of course you could always visit the opposite way around starting from the South Bay. Either way though Scarborough Castle is an uphill walk.
Admission to the Castle is usually quite reasonable, although obviously it depends how many are visiting. It is an interesting sight with much for children to see and read about. Simply as a pleasant area with views over Scarborough, it's two bays and over to Oliver's Mount with a great area for the children to let off steam, it is a good day out.
Recommended-but I think I will wait for the Spring at least
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